Detox can be one of the most difficult aspects of the road to recovery. Withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to cope with, and often lead to relapse when they become unbearable. Since a typical heroin detox timeline lasts for a number of days or even weeks, doing it at home can be difficult. For this reason, Wellness Counseling & Residential Detox offers comprehensive care that includes medication-assisted detox, holistic therapy, comfortable facilities, and licensed medical staff.
If you are considering detoxing from heroin, you should consider getting professional detox that can guide you through the entire heroin detox timeline and prepare you for rehab. Detox centers have everything you need to ensure your success and get you clean. Let’s take a closer look below at the heroin withdrawal timeline so that you know what to expect.
Three Stages in the Detox Timeline
The average detox lasts anywhere from three to fourteen days. For heroin, detox can end by day seven with most withdrawal symptoms completely flushed out of the body. The three main stages of heroin detox include:
Stage 1: Mild Symptoms
If you are a heavy heroin user you can expect to start experiencing mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms within 6 to 12 hours after your last dose. Mild to moderate symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Muscle and bone aches
- Abdominal cramps
- Excessive yawning
- Teary eyes and runny nose
- Sweats and chills simultaneously
Most of these symptoms will cause mild discomfort or pain. You may also feel a bit jittery or nervous. You can manage these symptoms. However, they are likely to intensify as time goes on.
Stage 2: Moderate to Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
During stage two, which is day one to three, you can expect to encounter withdrawal symptoms that are more intense. Moderate to severe heroin withdrawal symptoms may include:
- High anxiety or depression
- Intense cravings that never go away
- Inability to fall asleep or stay asleep
- Impair respiration
- Rapid heart rate
- High blood pressure
During this stage in your heroin detox timeline, you may require close medical supervision and 24/7 monitoring. If you have any emergencies, medical staff in our inpatient treatment program will be on hand to provide emergency medical care. The severe withdrawal symptoms may peak by day three and last until day five. From there, they will begin to fade.
Stage 3: Relief
By day five to seven, you can expect the withdrawal symptoms to slowly fade away. You will notice that you feel better physically and emotionally. By this time, you should be ready to enter a rehab program to develop the tools necessary for long-term recovery. The only exception is that your cravings may still linger for weeks or even months. Your therapist can help you manage your cravings so that you do not relapse.
Is the Heroin Detox Timeline the Same for Everybody?
While every detox timeline follows a similar pattern, there are some differences that vary from person to person. Your detox timeline depends on several factors such as the amount of heroin you consumed, whether you used other drugs and the current condition of your health.
In worst-case situations, a person could go through detox for up to three weeks. Cravings could last up to three months. If you have an average addiction to heroin, then you should expect to detox within about one or two weeks.
Regardless of how long your detox lasts, treatment specialists are available to help you through the worst parts of detox. When you check into a detox center in Florida, you never have to feel alone throughout your detox experience.
Are You Ready for Detox? We Can Help
Heroin doesn’t have to dominate your life. You can get help now as you navigate your heroin detox timeline. Wellness Counseling & Residential Detox provides a variety of treatments suited to your needs. To find out more about how to get off of heroin, call 866.412.1971 or contact us online today. We are here to help you get on the road to recovery.
