HEROIN DETOX IN HOUSTON, TEXAS
At Magnolia City Detox, we offer heroin detox in Houston, Texas that is safe and effective for those struggling with this type of substance use disorder. Our experienced staff will help you get clean and stay sober so you can live your life free from addiction. We understand how difficult it can be to quit heroin without professional support. That’s why our facility offers comprehensive treatment services including medical detox in Houston, counseling, and more.
If you or a loved one is struggling with heroin addiction, our experienced staff can help.
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How Does Heroin Affect the Brain?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), heroin is more addictive than cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Users can quickly develop a tolerance to the effects of the drug over time. This means that the user needs to take increasingly larger doses to achieve the same level of euphoric effect. The longer someone uses heroin, the greater chance he or she will suffer from physical dependence. Physical dependence occurs when an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit using heroin.
What To Expect During the Heroin Detox Process
From there, your heroin detox program begins and you are monitored around the clock to ensure your vital signs are stable. Oftentimes, medication is given to ease severe withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
At our heroin detox center in Houston, TX we offer supportive healing by providing group and individual therapy and helping formulate your next steps into heroin addiction treatment. During these sessions, you’ll be provided new skills and tools to use to combat cravings and avoid relapse.
Heroin Withdrawal Timeline
Most often, heroin detox is not the same for everyone. The timeline of your drug and alcohol detox programs in Houston will depend on the frequency of use, duration of use, and how long you’ve been addicted.
If you have been abusing heroin for a long period of time, you may not even realize that you are experiencing heroin withdrawal until you stop taking the drug. In fact, if you don’t know what heroin withdrawal feels like, you might think that you are having a heart attack due to the extreme discomfort that often occurs.
It is important to note that withdrawal doesn’t always occur right away. Some people report feeling the first signs within hours of stopping heroin use. Others report up to 48 hours before experiencing any withdrawals.
Typically, the onset of symptoms begins between 6 and 24 hours after the last dose is taken.
Possible withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Anxiety
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Intense opiate cravings
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Hot or cold flashes
- Depressive symptoms
- Drug cravings
- Shaking
- Easily agitated
- Elevated blood pressure
These initial symptoms peak between days two and three and decline after about a week. Withdrawal is a challenging time for anyone looking to overcome dependency. However, by utilizing the professionals at a Houston drug detox center, you can minimize or even eliminate the more painful symptoms.
How to Manage Heroin Withdrawal During Detox
Our heroin detox in Houston, TX utilizes several different types of medications along with 24/7 monitoring to keep the individual as comfortable as possible. Heroin withdrawal is typically not life-threatening, but in rare cases it is possible. However, the more serious symptoms associated (like severe depression) can cause someone to be suicidal.
Methadone is an opioid medication used to reduce cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms. MMT involves administering methadone under medical supervision. While taking methadone, patients do not use any illegal substances. Methadone reduces cravings by reducing the euphoric effects of opiates.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means that it produces some of the same effects as other opioids but they are considerably weaker, even more than methadone. The advantage of buprenorphine is that it comes in a sublingual form (a tablet that dissolves under the tongue), which is easy to take. It also has a much lower risk of overdose than full opioid agonists.
Naltrexone is an opioid blocker that helps people stay away from heroin and antagonist medication, naltrexone blocks the effects of heroin and other opioids. It is available as an intramuscular injection or in an implantable form, which releases the medication slowly over time.
An anticonvulsant is a type of medication that is typically used to treat seizures. However, anticonvulsants can also be effective in treating heroin withdrawal symptoms. For example, gabapentin (brand name Neurontin) has been shown to help reduce anxiety, insomnia, and pain during detox.
Anti-nausea medication can help to reduce the symptoms of nausea and vomiting that often occur during detox. Commonly prescribed anti-nausea medications include prochlorperazine (brand name Compazine) and ondansetron (brand name Zofran).
Depression is a common symptom of heroin withdrawal, and antidepressants can be effective in treating this symptom. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (brand name Prozac), are commonly prescribed to help relieve depression during heroin detox.
After the detox phase has finished, psychological withdrawal symptoms may continue and can persist for weeks or months. Entering an addiction treatment program is necessary to find lasting recovery from drug addiction.
A heroin detox program is only the first step in overcoming dependency. Once you enter rehab the treatment process then begins to focus on how to break free from the psychological symptoms associated with addiction. There are several treatment options available, but it is always recommended to follow the guidance of medical staff to find success.
Treatment Options After Detox
Treatment for heroin addiction is offered in inpatient or outpatient services. Both types of treatment are effective for overcoming addiction but, for heroin addiction, it’s typically recommended to start with an inpatient recovery center and continue through the full spectrum of care. This means moving through the various programs and following up with an aftercare program upon completion.
While enrolled in addiction treatment, each recovery center typically offers the following programs and services:
Behavioral therapies focus on helping patients develop new ways of thinking and behaving that promote abstinence from drugs and alcohol. For example, the goal of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is to help patients identify negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their substance abuse problems. By replacing these harmful beliefs and behaviors with more positive ones, patients learn how to cope better with stress and make healthier choices.
Other forms of therapy include group therapy and family therapy.
In support groups or 12-step groups, patients participate in weekly meetings where they share their experiences with other addicts. Members of the fellowship discuss their personal struggles and successes as they work toward achieving long-term sobriety.
As a part of recovery, you may qualify for medication to help you manage withdrawal and triggers. This can help individuals stay in active recovery and avoid relapse. Medication programs are typically only for those that qualify.
Another option in addiction treatment is the ability to enroll in holistic therapy. These programs include yoga, meditation, art therapy, and equine therapy. These programs help people refocus their energy on more productive tasks and provide a creative outlet. Holistic treatment has been shown to greatly reduce the chance of relapse.
Our Heroin Detox Center in Houston, Texas
If you or a loved one is struggling with heroin addiction, call Magnolia City Detox today. We understand that reaching out for help is hard. In recent years, the use of heroin in Texas has been on the rise. Fortunately, Magnolia City Detox is the premier detox in the state. We accept all insurance providers, and we can help you find financial assistance if needed. Learn more about how much detox cost here.
Heroin Detox Center Near The Woodlands
Our heroin detox center is located in Conroe, Texas near Lake Conroe and The Woodlands, offering easy access to beautiful beaches, wildlife preserves and serene parks. It is easily accessible for those who are looking for residential heroin detox in:
- The Woodlands, TX
- Spring, TX
- Tomball, TX
- Humble, TX
- Aldine, TX
- Atascocita, TX
- Huntsville, TX
- Houston, TX
- Jacinto City, TX
- Cloverleaf, TX
- West University Place, TX
- Bellaire, TX
- Galena Park, TX
- Channelview, TX
- Katy, TX
- Conroe, TX
Take the next step and help yourself or a loved one to recover from heroin addiction now. Learn more about our admissions process today and request a free insurance verification.
FAQs
Most often, yes! Heroin addiction is one of the hardest types of drug abuse to treat. Detox is covered by most insurance plans. You can also check with your insurance company to make sure. Some companies cover heroin detox under certain circumstances.
It can be detected in the urine for around 24 hours.
It can be detected in the bloodstream for 48 to 72 hour
In the hair, it is detectable for up to three months
If you decide to pursue treatment for heroin addiction, you will likely enter an outpatient rehab program after completing detox. Outpatient programs allow you to live at home while undergoing treatment.
If you decide to enroll in an inpatient treatment program, you will stay in a residential setting. Inpatient facilities provide 24-hour care and support.
The length of time required for successful recovery varies widely depending on the severity of the individual’s addiction and the type of treatment he or she receives. For example, some people may require only a few days of intensive treatment before returning home; others may need several weeks of more comprehensive care.
To attempt to detox at home is extremely dangerous. You should never try to detox without professional assistance. There are many reasons why this is risky
First, there is no way to know how your body will respond to the lack of heroin in your system.
Second, quitting heroin cold turkey can trigger severe withdrawal symptoms like high blood pressure or convulsions.
Finally, quitting heroin cold turkey is almost impossible if you have already developed a tolerance to the drug. Without medical assistance, you’re extremely likely to relapse.
Dr. Olaniyi O. Osuntokun
Dr. Olaniyi O. Osuntokun is a Neurology & Psychiatry Specialist based in Conroe, Texas, and Lafayette, Indiana. He has extensive experience in treating Individuals with substance use disorders and addiction. He earned his medical degree from University of Ibadan College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
