Treatments for heroin involve a detox process along with residential or intensive outpatient programming. Clients benefit from holistic care that includes 24-hour monitoring and support, one-on-one and group therapy, and medications that help manage withdrawal symptoms. At FHE Health, we administer Suboxone® and Vivitrol to those who are good candidates for medication-assisted treatment. These medications help to reduce cravings and decrease symptoms for a safe and comfortable withdrawal.
Understanding the Dangers of Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive substance with one of the highest overdose risks among commonly used recreational drugs. In 2023 alone, the United States saw over 81,000 opioid-related deaths, with heroin accounting for a portion of those fatalities.
Because of how heroin impacts the brain and body, quitting without professional support is nearly impossible. Fortunately, lifesaving treatment is available. Finding the best treatment for heroin addiction begins with knowing your options.
What Are Treatments for Heroin Addiction?
Heroin addiction typically occurs because people chase the euphoric high the drug creates. Because it’s such a powerful opioid, to maintain that high, increasing amounts of heroin become necessary.
This taxes the body and creates a risk for overdose. Because of this, it’s common for patients to require a comprehensive heroin addiction treatment plan that includes several steps.
Why Do You Need Treatment for Heroin Addiction?
Heroin is a powerful opioid. It creates an intense dependency, even with limited use. Without treatment for heroin addiction, a person may find it nearly impossible to stop using the drug.
Additionally, the body often needs to recover from malnourishment, stress, and illness. Advanced heroin addiction treatment creates opportunities that might not occur without it.
How Long Does Heroin Addiction Treatment Take?
Individual factors, such as the amount of time a person has been addicted and the state of their health, will affect how long it takes for heroin addiction treatment. It can take up to three months to complete the first steps of recovery: heroin detox, medication management and counseling. In-house treatment allows medical care professionals to modify the care plan and adjust medications as needed.
Aftercare is a vital part of treatment for heroin addiction that reinforces the gains made through medication and counseling. After a residential stay, ongoing outpatient treatment gives recovered individuals many useful strategies for handling stress and dealing with life. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps those recovering from addiction learn the skills needed to manage life without the use of drugs. Recovery is a lifelong process, and 12-step programs and counseling can continue to give support on the journey.
What Therapies Are Used in the Treatment of Heroin Addiction?
Treatment for heroin addiction may include numerous aspects of care. Therapists can select from a range of therapies based on the unique needs of the person. Some of the most common treatments include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT is a therapy process that teaches a person how to spot the way their emotions and thought processes play a role in their use. The goal is to teach them to notice when this occurs so they can change their thoughts to lead to better outcomes.
- 12-Step Programs: Many patients with heroin addiction can follow a 12-step program, a process of uncovering the cause of addiction and then making significant changes in their lives to overcome those risks going forward.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy: Designed to provide an opportunity to teach people how to make better decisions for themselves, motivational enhancement therapy helps to reinforce those good decisions.
- Contingency Management: This type of therapy is very common in heroin treatment. It involves the use of stimulus control, and, when good results occur, positive reinforcement is used. The goal is to change behavior on a deeper level.
What Is Medical Treatment for Heroin Addiction?
During Detox
The best way to break a heroin addiction is through medical supervision in a residential treatment facility. The first step in treatment is heroin detox. During this stage, withdrawal symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, pain and an intense craving for the drug. Each addicted person will benefit from a personalized care plan that includes the right medications to make these symptoms more tolerable.
Some medications that can help reduce withdrawal symptoms include:
- Loperamide helps manage diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress.
- Clonidine can suppress a range of withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and agitation.
- Anti-nausea medications and sedatives may be used depending on individual health needs.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers are also helpful for managing discomfort.
During Treatment
Three classes of drugs have proven to be useful in heroin addiction treatment:
- An agonist activates the same brain receptors as an opioid.
- A partial agonist partially activates the same receptors.
- An antagonist prevents opioid uptake by completely blocking brain receptors.
Common medications used throughout heroin addiction treatment include:
- Suboxone®: An opioid partial agonist that, in combination with naloxone, an opioid antagonist, reduces cravings, relieves withdrawal symptoms, and prevent overdose. Close supervision by a physician is needed to ensure the optimal dose.
- Naltrexone: A nonaddictive opioid antagonist that completely blocks the sedative and euphoric effects of opioids. It can only be used after a full heroin detox, isn’t safe to take during pregnancy, and is often used for the treatment of less severe heroin addiction.
- Methadone: An opioid agonist that gives a more subdued feeling of euphoria than heroin while preventing withdrawal symptoms. It also reduces cravings, has low overdose and abuse potential and can be taken during pregnancy. Methadone is used to help patients continue treatment and to prevent relapses.
- Buprenorphine: An opioid partial agonist that works the same way as methadone, reducing cravings and relieving withdrawal symptoms. Close supervision by a physician is needed to ensure the optimal dose.
- Naltrexone: A nonaddictive opioid antagonist that completely blocks the sedative and euphoric effects of opioids. It can only be used after a full heroin detox, isn’t safe to take during pregnancy and is often used for the treatment of less severe heroin addiction.
Additional supportive medications may include:
- Clonidine: This drug is given to control cravings and manage the desire to use.
- Loperamide: This drug is used to control diarrhea and gastrointestinal complications that are very common in heroin use disorder.
- Pain Medications: Most often, over-the-counter pain medications are used to help control pain and to limit access to opioids.
- Suboxone: Often used in detox and, in some cases, later, it works as a lessened form of heroin, creating some of the same benefits to the brain, allowing for less shock to the system when heroin is removed.
A health care provider will assess the risks and benefits of each drug and decide whether they’re appropriate for an individual’s recovery.
What Is Holistic Treatment for Heroin Use?
Holistic treatment for heroin use addresses the individual’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. Rather than focusing only on the symptoms of substance use disorder, it treats the whole person.
Some options may include:
- Massage therapy
- Yoga or Pilates
- Experiential treatment, such as hiking or equine therapy
- Meditation
- Acupuncture and other alternative medicines
How Can You Achieve Lifelong Recovery From Heroin Addiction?
As with any substance-use disorder, people receiving heroin addiction treatment need to maintain some support for the first few years after leaving inpatient or outpatient care. Support groups and 12-step programs can continue to help people stay grounded and provide a solution for any relapse-risk situation. Patients work with mentors and, eventually, may become mentors to others to help support their recovery.
Heroin Detox at FHE Health
Help is available to you or your loved one. Learn more about FHE Health’s heroin detox options in Florida by contacting us today.
Heroin is a lethal substance that creates intense dependency and a high overdose risk. In 2022, 5,871 people in the United States died from an opioid overdose, many of those from heroin, according to the National Institutes on Drug Abuse. Treatment for heroin addiction, including heroin detox, is available and can save your life or that of a loved one.
Treatment for heroin addiction through detox and ongoing counseling is often necessary to help break the physical and chemical dependency this drug causes. Numerous heroin addiction treatment options are available. Finding the best treatment for heroin addiction begins with knowing your options.
