You feel it already. As you listen to the judge wrap up with sentencing, you stretch your knees, ankles, and elbows as nonchalantly as possible. Everything is starting to hurt, and your stomach is in knots. How did you even get through that litigation? It doesn’t even matter that you lost the case at this point, all you can think about is getting out of that courtroom.

Sweat is beading down your forehead and your heart is racing. Your client is asking questions about what happened. Making the excuse that you have another case to get to, you almost sprint out of the courthouse. In the safety of your car, you are able to finally get a quick bump of heroin. Instantly, your body relaxes, tension leaving your joints. This cycle is taking its toll, but what else can you do? How can you make it through withdrawal?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), it was estimated that 55,000 Floridians aged 18 and over used heroin in 2021. A study conducted on American lawyers and substance use resulted in interesting findings as well. Of over 12,000 participants, only around 3,400 answered the questions pertaining to illicit substances. 

At Tranquil Shores, we can relate to keeping substance misuse internal. Admitting that you use heroin let alone are going through withdrawal can cause feelings of guilt, shame, and depression. We are here to provide healing and allow you to do so while keeping up with work. For those who think their loved one may be living with heroin use disorder, let’s explore heroin withdrawal further.

Identifying Heroin Withdrawal

In order to identify a heroin withdrawal, you need to know what kind of substance heroin is. Heroin is an illicit opioid made from morphine that is injected, snorted, smoked, or sniffed. The body is full of opioid receptors that heroin quickly binds to. The primary receptors that are affected are the ones that control heart rate, sleep, breathing, and feelings like pain and pleasure.

Defining Heroin Withdrawal

People become dependent on heroin physically and their body adapts to it, meaning their tolerance grows. The brain sends signals throughout the body when heroin is not present, leading to withdrawal. If heroin is not reintroduced in the next hours or even days, withdrawal symptoms can worsen.

What Does Heroin Withdrawal Look Like?

There are a few things you may notice in someone that is using heroin. They may pick and scratch at their skin, fall asleep without notice, look pale, and have vomiting and shortness of breath. If their way of using is injecting, you might see track marks on their forearms, groin, or between their toes. 

Since most heroin withdrawals vary, the start and end times can differ. Generally speaking, a withdrawal from heroin will begin within 8-24 hours after the last dose.

There are short-term and long-term heroin withdrawal symptoms. A short-term heroin withdrawal can last three days, or it could last for 10. Since the acute symptoms of heroin withdrawal cause panic and discomfort, many turn back to the use of heroin to subdue the symptoms. 

The signs and symptoms of short-term heroin withdrawal can include:

• Fast pulse
• Increased breathing rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Elevated body temperature
• Sleep disturbances such as insomnia
• Dilated pupils
• Unusually heightened reflexes

Long-term heroin withdrawal happens after symptoms and side effects of short-term withdrawal symptoms have passed.

Long-term heroin withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleep disturbances
• Continued fatigue
• A general sense of feeling down or emotionally dull (dysphoria)
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed (anhedonia)
• Irritability
• Short-term memory problems
• Decreased attention, impaired concentration, and difficulty making decisions
• Drug cravings

The symptoms that people experience during short and long-term withdrawal often make them want to start using heroin again to eliminate the symptoms. However, after going through a complete withdrawal, tolerance will not be at the same level as before. This increases the risk of a heroin overdose.

The Dire Need: Heroin Cravings

Cravings are often primary motivators in heroin addiction. Being able to address mental health and develop healthy coping skills is crucial in preventing cravings from leading to a relapse. Over time, cravings dissipate as emotional and stressful situations become manageable without heroin. 

Is It in Your Head? The Effects of Heroin on the Brain

Everyone’s brain has opioid receptors which naturally create opioid chemicals that are released in response to pain and pleasure. However, naturally released opioids don’t last long, and that’s where synthetic opioids like heroin come in.

The more a person consumes heroin, the more natural opioids will stop responding – the brain will produce less on its own. Since the use of heroin affects the receptors that control the risk/reward system in the brain, the amount of dopamine and other neurotransmitters that the brain produces are decreased since they’re released synthetically from the use of heroin.

When Will It End?: A Heroin Withdrawal Timeframe

As mentioned earlier, every withdrawal is different for every person. Generally, the time frame of a heroin withdrawal is as follows: 

About 6-12 hours after the last use of heroin, withdrawal symptoms may start to show. These symptoms may replicate those similar to a cold or flu.

At 1 to 3 days, the withdrawal symptoms will intensify. The heroin craving will start to kick in and usually, this is when someone would use heroin again. 

A week after the last use, the symptoms should begin to subside. Some symptoms may have fully diminished, however, long-term symptoms may still be present. A craving for heroin is still possible at this time.

After two weeks, the heroin should be fully out of the body and there shouldn’t be any short-term withdrawal systems left. However, cravings may still occur and there could be long-term symptoms like depression and anxiety. Seeking mental health help for these conditions can help manage them and begin the process of learning coping skills.

Heroin Withdrawal Treatment and Medications at Tranquil Shores in Florida

For those managing a heroin use disorder, there is hope to break the cycle. Withdrawal symptoms can wreak havoc on mental and physical health, and should be managed in a medical and professional setting. Medications such as naltrexone or buprenorphine can be utilized to make withdrawal more comfortable and ease the transition into a heroin-free lifestyle. The key during this time is support – having people to talk to, vent to, and even distract you can make withdrawal more manageable. Finding heroin addiction treatment can make the difference in a successful recovery.

Living in fear of heroin withdrawal is no way to get through life. At Tranquil Shores, we understand how scary it can seem to even think about detox. Our dedicated staff not only keeps you safe and comfortable, but focuses on learning you as a person, not a heroin use disorder. 

The therapists onsite specialize in more than just typical CBT therapy, providing alternative options such as accelerated resolution, experiential, didactic group, and family therapy. 

We take pride in the ease of access we provide for clients, keeping our client-to-counselor ratio at 3:1. By taking pride in you, our team works to get you back to taking pride in yourself. Call us today at 727-591-4119 to learn more about our program and facility.

FAQs About Heroin Withdrawal

What are 4 of the withdrawal symptoms?

The four most common short-term withdrawal symptoms are sleep issues such as insomnia or extreme fatigue, nausea and vomiting, aches and pains in the muscles and joints, and a fast pulse. However, there are also long-term symptoms such as memory loss and depression. 

What are the coping mechanisms for withdrawal?

Exercise, journaling, art, and meditation are all helpful coping strategies. These acts can all improve mental and emotional health and help to release dopamine to prevent relapse.