What is the most important information I should know about heroin withdrawal?
- Pharmacological treatments can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and improve your chances of recovery from heroin use disorder.
- Relapsing after heroin withdrawal increases the risk of overdose, so it is essential to have a plan for long-term recovery.
Heroin is an illicit drug that is highly addictive. When people stop using heroin, they will experience withdrawal symptoms if they have become physically dependent on the substance.
Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms you can expect during heroin withdrawal and how to cope. Also, explore long-term treatment options that can help you recover from addiction.
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Overview of Heroin Withdrawal
If you have become addicted to heroin, you are likely to experience withdrawal when you quit. Withdrawal symptoms can also appear following heavy use.
Physically, heroin withdrawal leads to symptoms that are similar to the flu. People often experience nausea, diarrhea, runny nose, achiness, tremors, fatigue, chills, and sweats. More severe symptoms can also occur, such as difficulty breathing, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
How Long Will Heroin Withdrawal Last?
The initial after-effects of heroin withdrawal can vary in time and intensity. Typically, withdrawal symptoms will begin 6 to 12 hours after the last dose, peaking within 1 to 3 days and gradually subsiding over 5 to 7 days. However, some people experience weeks or months of withdrawal symptoms, known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
Signs & Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal
Everyone’s experience of heroin withdrawal is different, but here are some of the most common symptoms.
Heroin Cravings
Most people who are withdrawing from heroin experience a strong desire to take more heroin. This is known as experiencing cravings and is common among people withdrawing from many addictive substances.
Mood Changes
Feeling depressed, anxious, or irritable, also known as having a dysphoric mood, is a normal part of heroin withdrawal. Even without a traumatic past, these mood changes would be expected, but many people who use heroin experience long-suppressed feelings related to past trauma or abuse when they stop using the drug. This is one of the reasons it is important to have emotional support while you are going through withdrawal.
Although these feelings are often intense during heroin withdrawal, they tend to become less intense once the withdrawal stage is over. If you are withdrawing in a treatment facility, make the most of the support offered, and try and have support arranged in the community when your stay is over.
If the feelings of depression or distress do not pass, you should see your doctor for appropriate treatment.
Restlessness and Sleep Problems
People going through heroin withdrawal often experience restlessness, which, coupled with anxiety and insomnia, can make you feel agitated. Heroin withdrawal often causes sleep problems, particularly insomnia (having trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep).
Physical Symptoms
Heroin withdrawal is also usually accompanied by physical symptoms including:
- Fever: Seek medical assistance immediately if your temperature goes above 103 F (40 C), and doesn't come down with treatment; if you have a serious medical illness, such as a heart problem, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, HIV, or cystic fibrosis; or if you have a seizure.
- Aches and pains: Part of the way heroin works is to block the body's pain pathways. When you withdraw from heroin, there is a rebound effect, and you feel achy, particularly in the back and legs, and feel more sensitive to pain.
- Excessive bodily fluids: As you go through heroin withdrawal, you may experience an overproduction of bodily fluids, such as sweat, tears, and a runny nose.
- Diarrhea and stomach pain: Diarrhea or loose, watery, and frequent bowel movements are also common with heroin withdrawal.
- Nausea and vomiting: Although these symptoms are distressing, nausea and vomiting are normal aspects of heroin withdrawal.
Coping & Relief for Heroin Withdrawal
While heroin withdrawal can be intense and uncomfortable, the worst of the symptoms usually pass within a week. During this time, there are some things that you can do to help yourself feel more comfortable.
Ask for Help
Whether you are getting support at home from someone you trust or going to a treatment facility, you should have the support you can rely on as you go through withdrawal. Having someone with you can ensure that you are safe and have someone to talk to about what you are experiencing.
Stay Hydrated
Because the withdrawal process is usually accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, it is important to make sure that you are taking in enough fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Stay Busy
Make sure that you have a way to stay occupied during your withdrawal. Watching television or movies is a good choice, especially since you probably won't be feeling well physically for at least a few days. If you have a friend there to help, you can even plan brief activities outside of the house as you start to feel a little better.
Manage Symptoms With OTC Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers and antidiarrheals can help keep your fever, pain, and diarrhea in check. Always be sure to only take the indicated dosages.
Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been reported to sometimes benefit people who are withdrawing from methadone. However,more research is needed to conclusively recommend it as a treatment for heroin withdrawal symptoms.
Warnings About Heroin Withdrawal
While many people get adequate medical help during heroin withdrawal, some do not. However, medications can be prescribed to help reduce the discomfort of heroin withdrawal symptoms. See a physician as soon as possible before or after beginning the withdrawal process.
Medications that may be prescribed to help with heroin withdrawal include:
- Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone)
- Lucemyra (lofexidine hydrochloride)
- Vivitrol (naltrexone)
- Narcan (naloxone)
- Opvee (nalmefene)
- Methadose (methadone)
It is also important to realize that anyone who has gone through heroin withdrawal is at an increased risk of overdose due to opiate tolerance. Once a person has developed a tolerance to a drug, it takes a larger dose to experience the same effects. If the same dose they took before they went through withdrawal is taken again after or during, there is a strong chance of an accidental overdose.
If heroin withdrawal symptoms become severe, hospitalization may be required. Doctors can treat these symptoms with prescription medications such as clonidine, which can reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Long-Term Treatment
Following acute heroin withdrawal, people typically go through a protracted period lasting around six months when they often experience intense drug cravings and reduced feelings of wellness. This can increase the risk of relapse, which is why additional treatments are essential to help ensure long-term recovery.
Such treatments can include behavioral therapies and pharmacological treatments. Treatment for heroin use is often most effective when it involves a combination of behavioral approaches with medication.
Medications
Pharmacological treatment can be helpful in recovery from heroin addiction. Medications that may be used include the following:
- Methadone is an opioid agonist medication that helps block the effects of opioids, reduces withdrawal symptoms, and helps lessen opioid cravings.
- Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist that can help minimize withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
- Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids in the brain.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone have been shown to increase the effectiveness of treatment programs in the long term.
Specific brand name medications that may be prescribed for heroin treatment include Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone), Vivitrol (naltrexone), Revia (naltrexone) and Methadose (methadone).
Therapy
Behavioral approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management are two types of therapy that are often used to treat heroin addiction.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on helping people change thoughts and behaviors that contribute to drug use.
- Contingency management rewards people for staying drug-free with vouchers that can then be exchanged for desired rewards.
Press Play for Advice On Overcoming Addiction
Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx, shares how he ultimately overcame his rough past. Click below to listen now.
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Resources
In addition to friends and medical professionals, there are also online resources that can help you during heroin withdrawal. Support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous offer information and resources that can help you during your recovery. Joining a support group or 12-step recovery program may help you get the encouragement and support you need to cope with withdrawal and achieve long-term recovery from heroin addiction.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.