What Heroin Addiction Rehab is Like

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Heroin addiction is one of the most dangerous drugs in the entire world. The drug takes thousands of lives every year as a result of overdose or injury caused while under the use of heroin. The highly addictive drug that contributes to a very fast building of tolerance has numerous side effects and the risks associated with heroin use are countless. Heroin use ruins members of society and is a problem that does not seem to be going anywhere any time soon.

In order to stop using heroin and to recover from heroin addiction, most addicts will need the help of a specialized heroin rehab center. The individual addicted to heroin can not heal themselves on their own. The temptation of the drug and the withdrawal effects of heroin are just too strong for most people to overcome without specialized help from a heroin addiction rehab center. Psychological dependence paired with a strong physical dependence to the drug make treatment at heroin rehab centers inevitable for most heroin addicts if they really want to quit and live heroin free.

What to Expect at a Heroin Addiction Treatment Facility

Fear of the unknown is one of the number one reasons that many addicts do not seek professional treatment. They are afraid of what is to come during treatment for heroin addiction, afraid of the pain and sickness associated with heroin withdrawal and afraid of what life without heroin is like. Here’s a look at what to expect during heroin addiction treatment:

Heroin Detox

First things first, no addict can recover from a drug addiction without first detoxing from the drug. For heroin addiction, the detox process is one of the most difficult times as the withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin use are so strong. When you enter heroin addiction treatment, the very first step will be to begin a process of heroin detox. This is a time period in which the residual heroin will be removed from your body by not allowing any further use of heroin. There are two types of heroin detox which include medical detox and natural detox. Here’s a look at them both:

Medical Detox from Heroin

During medical detox the addict is given a synthetic substitute for heroin in order to lower the risks of withdrawal symptoms that are normally associated with heroin detox. The most common medications that are used during medical detox from heroin include methadone and suboxane. The medication is taken as a substitute to the heroin and then is gradually reduced over time to lessen the withdrawal symptoms and to reduce the chance of future relapse.

Natural Detoxification from Heroin

During natural detoxification the individual just stops taking heroin and allows the withdrawal and detox process to take a natural course of action. This type of heroin detox should only be performed under the supervision of trained medical staff as there is a possibility of dangerous side effects which can result when the heroin is abruptly eliminated from the body. Natural heroin detox is a painful and sick process that is often very difficult for the addict to get through but during heroin addiction treatment, counselors and staff will help in any way that they can.

Counseling at Heroin Addiction Rehab

Heroin addiction rehab centers will provide a range of counseling services that can help the recovering heroin addict to understand the cause and results of their heroin addiction. There are two common types of counseling that are offered at all drug rehab centers and they include group counseling and individual counseling. Each type of counseling for heroin addiction has it’s own benefits to the addict and to their recovery process.

Group Counseling for Heroin Addiction

During group counseling for heroin addiction the addict will meet with other people who share similar addictions or circumstances. This will help the addict to learn from the mistakes (and the successes) of others and to apply these situations to their own recovery efforts. Group counseling for heroin addiction is a beneficial process in which heroin addicts can voice their opinions, reactions and thoughts on their own addiction in a manner in which will help their recovery.

Individual Counseling for Heroin Addiction

During individual counseling for heroin addiction the addict meets with a counselor or therapist one on one. This is a time for the heroin addict to address problems that led to their heroin addiction as well as the problems that their addiction may have caused. During individual counseling for heroin addiction the counselor will help the addict to develop new ways to think about and to react to their own everyday stressors. Individual counseling for heroin addiction is beneficial to the addict because it’s a time for them to reflect on their past, present and future without judgment from peers.

Aftercare for Heroin Addiction

Following an inpatient treatment plan for heroin addiction the recovering addict will begin an aftercare program. Aftercare for heroin addiction treatment includes continued counseling and services that will help the addict to maintain a sober lifestyle. There are many different types of aftercare services offered at heroin rehab centers including placement into sober living homes, various group counseling programs such as Narcotics Anonymous and even continued one on one counseling with a therapist. Many people who are recovering from heroin addiction will continue in an aftercare program for many weeks, months or even years after their successful treatment at a heroin rehab center.