Opiate and Heroin Detox Programs

May 5, 2010 by · Leave a Comment

Heroin and opiates are physically addicting. Heroin detox becomes necessary when the body adapts to the presence of the drug and more and more is needed to reduce the cravings for the drug. Withdrawal symptoms will definitely occur if heroin use or opiate use is abruptly discontinued.

Generally speaking, withdrawal from heroin and other opiates may occur as early as a few hours after the last use. The withdrawal symptoms of heroin addiction include:

  •  drug craving
  •  restlessness
  •  muscle and bone pain
  • insomnia
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • sweats and cold flashes

Major withdrawal symptoms of heroin addiction and other opiate addictions peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose. Without proper medical care seizures or convulsions can occur. The good news is that an addict can usually complete heroin detox or opiate detox within five and seven days.

Choose Inpatient Heroin Detox or Opiate Detox Programs

Heroin detox and opiate detox can be a very challenging process both physically and emotionally. It is my opinion that anyone undergoing heroin detox or opiate detox, should do so in drug rehab programs or addiction treatment programs that specialize in medical detox programs. All heroin detox programs should be medically monitored, complete with 24 hour nursing, able to dispense medications as needed and directed by a physician trained in addiction medicine (addictionologist).

Ongoing Addiction Treatments

Even after heroin or opiate detox is complete, many people require ongoing addiction treatments, therefore heroin detox should take place within one of many drug rehab centers or addiction treatment programs. Drug rehab programs provide a smoother transition from heroin detox and opiate detox programs, which are medically driven, into a clinically driven level of care within the drug rehab.

Structure is Key

Another reason we feel that heroin detox should be provided within the confines of drug rehab programs or addiction treatment programs is due to the structure they provide. Many people attempt heroin detox on an outpatient basis. While outpatient heroin detox can work for some, most addicts require the structure of inpatient detox programs to deal with the cravings and keep them away from their environment, old friends and access to opiates.

While in the grips of heroin or opiate addiction, addicts are often involved in high risk activities. By undergoing opiate detox or heroin detox in drug rehab centers, addicts receive a comprehensive physical examination. This will help identify any medical problems that are present and need to be addressed. This examination process is begun in detox and ongoing support is available if a person transitions into drug rehab.

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Anti-anxiety drugs (tranquilizers, benzodiazepines)

April 19, 2010 by · Leave a Comment

Anti-anxiety drugs, also known as tranquilizers, are medications that relieve anxiety by slowing down the central nervous system. Their relaxing and calming effects have made them very popular: anti-anxiety drugs are the most widely prescribed type of medication for anxiety. They are also prescribed as sleeping pills and muscle relaxants.

Benzodiazepines are the most common class of anti-anxiety drugs. They include:

Benzodiazepines are fast acting—typically bringing relief within thirty minutes to an hour. Because they work quickly, benzodiazepines are very effective when taken during a panic attack or another overwhelming anxiety episode. But despite their potent anti-anxiety effects, they have their drawbacks.

Side effects of anti-anxiety drugs

Anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines work by reducing brain activity. Understandably, this leads to side effects beyond anxiety relief.

The higher the dose, the more pronounced these side effects typically are. But some people feel sleepy, foggy, and uncoordinated even on low doses of benzodiazepines, which can cause problems with work, school, or everyday activities such as driving. Some even feel a medication hangover the next day.

Because benzodiazepines are metabolized slowly, the medication can build up in the body when used over longer periods of time. The result is oversedation. People who are oversedated may look like they’re drunk.

Common side-effects of benzodiazepines or tranquilizers

  • Drowsiness, lack of energy
  • Clumsiness, slow reflexes
  • Slurred speech
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Depression
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness
  • Impaired thinking and judgement
  • Memory loss, forgetfulness
  • Nausea, stomach upset
  • Blurred or double vision

Benzodiazepines are also associated with depression. Long-term benzodiazepine users are often depressed, and higher doses are believed to increase the risk of both depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts and feelings. Furthermore, benzodiazepines can cause emotional blunting or numbness. The medication relieves the anxiety, but it also blocks feelings of pleasure or pain.

Paradoxical effects of anti-anxiety drugs

Despite their sedating properties, some people who take anti-anxiety medication experience paradoxical excitement. The most common paradoxical reactions are increased anxiety, irritability, and agitation. However, more severe effects can also occur, including:

  • Mania
  • Hostility and rage
  • Aggressive or impulsive behavior
  • Hallucinations

While rare, these adverse effects are dangerous. Paradoxical reactions to these anxiety medications are most common in children, the elderly, and people with developmental disabilities.  Many times users of benzodiazepines find that they need to enter an inpatient detox center in order to come off of them.

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Ultra Rapid Detox for Heroin & Other Opiates

January 11, 2010 by · Leave a Comment

I have had many people ask me what the difference is between Rapid Detox and Ultra Rapid Detox and whether I would recommend either procedure.  There is a great deal of confusion with respect to these terms.  Ultra Rapid Detox generally indicates a detoxification process which is done under general anesthesia, which lasts somewhere between 4 and 24 hours. Rapid Detox, in general, can be used to denote anything from Ultra Rapid Detox to a detox process that lasts 10 days or more. Unfortunately, many clinics and websites now use these terms interchangeably. This can be confusing to individuals seeking information and treatment.

In general, Ultra Rapid Detox is a process of accelerating the detoxification process in patients who are addicted to drugs such as opiates, heroin, and even prescription pain relievers. The Ultra Rapid Detox process should be conducted in a hospital setting while the patient is under general anesthesia. The process needs to be overseen by certified anesthesiologists and a nursing staff that specialize in such procedures. While under anesthesia, the patient is administered medications that counteract the addictive substances. If the procedure is done correctly, the patient awakens from general anesthesia having gone partially through the drug withdrawal syndrome. Depending on how long the individual is under general anesthesia, withdrawal symptoms and physical cravings may be absent or partially absent upon awakening. However, the psychological and emotional aspects of addiction are not treated and, also, the patient hasn’t learned to change their behavior or response to their emotions regarding drugs. Because of this there is a significant risk that the patient will return to drug use shortly after ultra rapid detox.

If you are looking to get clean and stay clean clean then visit Florida Sunrise Detox or New Jersey Sunrise Detox where true medical professionals can assist you in the recovery process.  At Sunrise Detox they will treat you with care and compassion and help you through one of the most difficult times in your life.  You don’t have to detox alone and with the proper care you are more likely to stay off of drugs and lead a fulfilling life!  Sunrise Detox is a renowned  drug treatment facility specializing in detox for heroin, cocaine, alcohol, benzodiazepines and other prescription drugs.

Myths About Ultra Rapid Detox

With Ultra Rapid Detox I’ll wake up completely free from my addiction
Depending on the length of general anesthesia, you may or may not wake up free from the physical cravings of your addiction. In either case, you will still be completely addicted psychologically to the drug that you are addicted to.

I won’t feel any withdrawal symptoms with Ultra Rapid Detox
If you are under general anesthesia long enough, this might be true. However, there is a marked risk of death when one is placed under prolonged general anesthesia. Therefore, more recently “ultra rapid detox” treatments are done where the patient is under for no more than 4 to 6 hours. With shortened general anesthesia there’s a higher likelihood of having residual withdrawal symptoms upon awakening.

Ultra Rapid Detox is safe
Ultra Rapid Detox has higher risks than other detox methods and remains controversial within the medical community. There is a relative lack of scientific research to support the safety of this procedure. General anesthesia carries with it a risk of death and this risk is increased when anesthesia is prolonged. Some facilities will keep a patient under for up to 24 hours. Safety increases when time under general anesthesia is lessened, for example, down to 4 to 6 hours. However, a shorter course of general anesthesia may result in the individual experiencing more withdrawal symptoms upon awakening than otherwise.

Ultra Rapid Detox works!
Despite the wide publicity of Ultra Rapid Detox, there have not been any controlled studies to prove its effectiveness. This lack of scientific support makes it an unproven and controversial treatment for drug and opioid addiction. Ultra Rapid Detox does not treat the psychological, behavioral, and lifestyle aspects of addiction, only the physical addiction and, as time and practice prove, it is these latter aspects which hold the most control over the recovering addict.

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Addiction to Heroin

January 5, 2010 by · Leave a Comment

Signs of heroin addiction are no different than that of most other opiate addictions, or any addiction for that matter. Here is just a short list of some of the things I have experienced in my own life. If any of these things sound familiar whether it’s in your life or the life of someone close to you, it could be the beginning of a heroin addiction. Addiction is a very serious issue and should be dealt with by medical professionals in the initial withdrawal stages to ensure a safe detox from heroin.

If you feel ill often for long periods of time then you may be going through heroin withdrawal. This can make someone very irritable and lash out to the ones close to them. When heroin is leaving the system it is a very painful and traumatic experience for the addict. Withdrawal can make you sick for days on end and if you must come off the drug, then it is best to do so under the care of a doctor and enter a detox center. Heroin addiction is a serious issue. If you feel you may be addicted please consult a doctor.  A doctor can best advise proper heroin addiction detox treatment. Then later after the drug is removed from the system, then you can think about drug addiction recovery. There are many great treatment centers available that can be visited around your schedule. A 28 in patient treatment may be the best route, but outpatient treatment is also available. 12 step recovery is also a great way to deal with addiction once released from treatment. This way you can have a form of personal treatment when released into the real world.

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Heroin Withdrawal & Addiction Treatment

January 4, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
The first thing to remember is that recovery of heroin addiction is 100 percent possible and yes, you will eventually get back to being normal and be happy and healthy again.Those suffering from heroin addiction know how painful it can be. The heroin withdrawal symptoms can be so painful that it can scare someone from ever trying to quit again… However, this will not solve the problem. If you are currently a heroin addict you may feel like you are just buying yourself time until the next time you get sick. Many have tried to get medical help only to find that help isn’t always easy to find. This article will go in to the “physical” side of heroin addiction and tips and help for treating heroin withdrawal symptoms. 

It is important to know that even though you may feel like dying when coming off of the drug, people most often come out unscathed and a full recovery is completely possible. Below are some ideas to consider when treating heroin withdrawal symptoms and finding the help you need.

1. Give yourself room. It is important to plan out quitting carefully. If you work, try to take some decent time off. Your employer may provide an employee assistance program or “EAP” which can help you get treatment for little to no cost and without retaliation. EAP services are usually completely confidential and are a great option for finding help.

2. If you plan on quitting “cold turkey” there are things you can do to minimize the pain of heroin withdrawls while quitting: A. Ask a close trusted friend to stay with you during the duration of withdrawal symptoms. They will have to take care of you as if you had a really bad case of the flu. B. Keep plenty of fluids handy and foods you can eat available. Sports drinks, yogurt, oatmeal, bottled water, popcicles, soups, et. are plain foods that are easy on your tummy and senses while you are sick. It is extremely easy to get dehydrated so keep this in mind. Also meal replacement shakes may be a great way to deliver nutrient when full meals aren’t easily consumed. C. You may want to purchase medicine for nausea, diarrhea or for any other symptom you may incur. D. When possible, and possibly with help, the individual will want to soak in warm water to help calm the nerves. Showers are also an option but may be too intense however. E. The most severe of the heroin symptoms tend to only last around three days, however residual affects will slowly continue to fade over a period of time. Remember to give yourself plenty of time for recover. 3 days are most likely not enough. For the sake of your health, try to get as much time off as possible to aid in your recovery.

3. A great option for heroin treatment is through a combination of medication and counseling. Buprenorphine / naloxone treatment can almost completely eliminate the withdrawal symptoms once in moderate withdrawl. This medication is known to allow the heaviest of addicts to feel normal and function in society. You can do a search online to find a provider who is licensed and certified to administer this drug as well as research it. This medication can often be taken in the comfort of your own home as part of your treatment. You and your doctor can discuss the proper treatment for you. In addition, they may require that you take part in an out-patient program like narcotics anonymous (NA) which is a great program for the mental side of your addiction. Even if you are drug-free for a week or so, a doctor can still help you in treatment and it may very well still be quite necessary.

4. Going to a rehabilitation center is a great choice if you can get the time away and have someone to take care of pets for you. In rehab you will be given medication combined with other forms of therapy which will help you on your way to recovery..

Don’t give up on trying to get the help you deserve. Many people do not realize that heroin addiction is a clinical disease, not a moral or character flaw. If possible, keep the lines of communication open with your family as they will most likely be willing to help you… even if you don’t think they will now. Use the resources available to you. Many states offer drug-abuse programs and coupons which would allow you to get the help you need free or little to no charge. The more you know and understand, the more the addiction will feel manageable and your confidence in your ability to fight the addiction will increase. Just don’t give up!

by Gabriel A. Killian


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