Why Heroin Withdrawals Can Be Deadly

Many people fear going through heroin detox to start recovery from heroin addiction. In fact, it is possible to die from heroin withdrawal under certain (usually unsupervised) conditions. But the truth is that detox does not have to be frightening or as uncomfortable as you may have seen in dramatic movies or on TV. The key to an easier, safe detox lies in entering a quality detox program.

If fear of detox is holding you back from kicking heroin, it’s time to change your thinking. To find out more about heroin rehab, call us at 866.605.0532 for more information.

What Is Heroin Withdrawal and Why Is It Needed?

Heroin withdrawal is what happens when you quit using heroin. It doesn’t happen to the first-time user or the very occasional user. It happens to those who have become addicted to heroin. Withdrawal is a group of health effects caused by suddenly not having the drug in your body any longer. Your body has grown used to heroin and learned to use it in daily functioning. When it’s suddenly not there, your body is thrown into chaos. It has forgotten how to function without heroin present. During detox and withdrawal, your body has to go back to operating without heroin.

You’ve probably heard people using the phrase, “shock to the system.” Heroin detox is like a shock to your system. Withdrawal symptoms are the effects of that shock.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Sweating and shaking
• Pain in the abdomen
• Agitation or nervousness
• Muscle spasms
• Cravings for heroin

Withdrawal symptoms begin about six to 12 hours after you stop using heroin. These side effects are worst at about day one or two after quitting. Fortunately, these physical effects of heroin withdrawal will only last about a week. However, some of the less sickening effects can actually last several weeks. 

These lingering symptoms are managed through heroin addiction rehab and addiction therapy services. Addressing these lasting symptoms after detox promotes long-term recovery.

Trying to handle all of this on your own without help is an enormous challenge. Initial and lingering symptoms cause many people trying to detox on their own to fall back into heroin use. That’s why professional heroin detox is your best bet for success.

Can You Die from Heroin Withdrawal?

Heroin withdrawal deaths are relatively rare. However, it is possible. Therefore, there is always a risk of death (however small) from heroin withdrawal. Attending a medical detox program at Tides Edge greatly reduces these risks and complications during withdrawal.

Under the best conditions, withdrawal from heroin is merely unpleasant and not at all life-threatening. It resembles a flu-like illness that can be more severe than the regular flu. Any complications that may arise usually only cause issues when they are underestimated or inadequately monitored.

When someone dies from heroin withdrawal, his or her death is usually because of a seizure or breathing problems. If you are used to taking a high dose of heroin, you may be at greater risk for seizures during detox. Seizures can be deadly if the patient suffers from breathing problems as a side effect of the seizures.

Avoiding the Dangers of Heroin Withdrawal

Such risks are why you should go through detox under medical supervision. Trained medical personnel can keep you safe during heroin detox and also watch for other side effects that can be deadly. Some of those potentially deadly side effects include:

• Vomiting into the airway
• Suicide due to mental illness
• Severe dehydration

Immediate relapse is another fatal risk if one’s tolerance has lowered, but a large “normal” dose is taken.

Trained addiction specialists and medical staff keep patients comfortable, calm, and safe during detox. Moreover, patients are kept well-nourished and hydrated, with some symptoms relieved through medications.

Beaches Recovery Provides Safety in Recovery

Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida, understands how uncomfortable and scary detox and rehab can be. At Beaches Recovery, clients receive the diagnosis, therapies, treatments, support, education, and coping skills they need to start the journey to sobriety. The path to recovery can be difficult at times. However, at Beaches Recovery, you are not alone on that journey.

After detox, continue recovery with the following programs:

• Inpatient drug rehab
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Outpatient drug rehab
• Aftercare and alumni programs

If you or a loved one are ready to journey into recovery for a better life, contact Beaches Recovery today. Call 866.605.0532 to speak with addiction specialists about heroin rehab programs in Jacksonville, FL.