Can I Withdraw from Heroin at Home?

Heroin (an opiate drug and derivative from morphine) is commonly used by people due to its euphoric side effects and intense feelings of relaxation. As with most substances, stopping using heroin can cause withdrawal symptoms that can cause damage to an individual’s mind and body. With both things creating a vicious cycle of heroin use, withdrawal can be a difficult process and lead to long-term damage.

During withdrawal from heroin, individuals can experience intense feelings and physical side effects that can cause major health risks and be fatal when not done safely. It’s important to manage and regulate symptoms in a controlled environment to avoid further damage and prevent relapse from occurring in the future.

We investigate the risks that are taken when withdrawing from heroin at home and what alternatives are available to withdraw from heroin safely and effectively.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms from Heroin

Once heroin has been ingested, it begins to alter the neurotransmitters in the brain and can instantly alter the brain’s chemistry. This can make the brain heavily dependent on the substance and unable to function normally without heroin in the system.

When attempting to withdraw from heroin, individuals experience intense withdrawal symptoms that can affect them physiologically and psychologically. These symptoms can be distressing for individuals suffering from them, often finding it difficult for individuals to complete simple daily activities such as going to work, attending social events or exercising. These include:

• Extreme sweating
• Fever and chills
• Tremors
• Insomnia
• Diahrrea
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Further cravings for heroin

Can I Withdraw from Heroin at Home?

Stopping using heroin at home is technically possible, but it is not recommended due to the major risks that are associated with heroin withdrawal.

Withdrawal from home places an individual at a higher risk of relapsing and returning to using heroin and a higher risk of facing physiological and psychological complications that place them at risk of causing further damage.

Risks Associated with Heroin Withdrawal from Home

Going through the withdrawal process from home can lead to potential complications that can risk further damage to an individual’s health.

When experiencing physical symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting without a balanced diet or supplementation it can cause further physical complications such as dehydration, heart irregularities, breathing issues, and an imbalance in electrolytes. Each of these physical issues can lead to further damage to the body or even be fatal.

If an individual experiences psychological symptoms such as depression, suicidal thoughts, insomnia, or other issues with their thoughts, it can lead to individuals relapsing and taking heroin, which causes a vicious cycle of heroin abuse. Without supervision, it can also lead to individuals harming themselves.

Ways to Safely Withdraw from Heroin

There are other ways to withdraw from heroin outside of the usual home environment, which places an individual at a much higher chance of preventing relapse and causing less damage to the body.

Make Better Lifestyle Choices

Suffering from heroin withdrawal symptoms can be difficult. However, the intensity of the symptoms can be reduced by making better lifestyle choices such as:

• Eating a better diet and staying hydrated
• Keeping busy to remove yourself from your usual environment
• Staying away from people who influence your heroin use
• Speaking to family and friends about your heroin use

Seek Help from a GP

When suffering from heroin withdrawal symptoms, it’s important to seek help from a medical professional such as a local GP. They will be able to give you advice about what you can do to reduce symptoms or refer you to a treatment programme for further assistance.

Attend Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation treatment centres provide detoxification services that allow individuals to detox from heroin in a controlled and safe environment. As part of a

programme, individuals will be medically supervised by medical staff who can monitor symptoms and provide medication to stabilise their vitals.

Seek Support Today

Although it is possible to withdraw from heroin at home, it is not recommended at all, and it is a much safer option to withdraw from heroin in a controlled medical environment.

The risks and complications that are associated with heroin withdrawal can be damaging to the body and can create a vicious cycle of heroin relapse; with medical supervision, heroin withdrawal has a chance of being a successful and less distressing experience.

If you’re struggling and need help or advice, please reach out to our team today. Call us on 0151 268 6992.

Posted on Friday, May 10th, 2024 at 3:29 pm in Addiction.