Together We’ll End The Addiction
Heroin Detox

Are you or someone you love considering a heroin detox? At CuraSouth we understand how agonizing heroin withdrawal can be — the hot-cold flashes,  gooseflesh, restlessness, twitchy legs, stomach cramps, body aches, mental anguish — the symptoms make quitting feel impossible. The key to overcoming this obstacle is a medication assisted medical detox. At CuraSouth we make heroin withdrawal as pain-free and comfortable as possible. Clients detox in a comfortable, supportive, homestyle environment. Beyond physical stabilization, CuraSouth emphasizes the importance of developing a hopeful path forward in recovery. At CuraSouth we first provide a safe, pain-free detox, then we get to work putting together a plan for longterm sobriety. We perform an in-depth initial evaluation and tailor a treatment plan unique to each clients needs and recovery goals. We introduce our clients to the 12-steps, begin therapy and offer holistic treatments like acupuncture, meditation and yoga. Every client leaves with a firm foundation on which to build their ongoing recovery.

More About Heroin

Heroin is a potent and highly addictive opioid narcotic, one that is derived from morphine and is considered a Schedule I chemical substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration. People who use this chemical substance can either use it intravenously by injecting it directly into the veins, snort it or smoke it. The effects of heroin take hold exceptionally quickly, seeing as the drug enters the bloodstream rapidly and quickly binds to opioid receptors within the brain. Heroin affects a number of functions including pain and pleasure, sleeping, breathing and heart rate. Heroin use disorders have been known to develop over a very short period of time – especially when intravenous use is concerned. If you or someone you love has been abusing heroin it is crucial that professional treatment is sought from a medically monitored detox facility. Heroin withdrawal is both uncomfortable and potentially dangerous, and all symptoms must be closely overseen in a medical setting in order to be resolved quickly and effectively.

Heroin Addiction
Facts & Statistics

Heroin addiction has rapidly become one of the most devastating and widespread substance-related issues in America. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, rates of heroin abuse throughout have been on the rise since 2007. The 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health concluded that roughly 948,000 Americans reported using heroin at least once over the course of the previous year. Most heroin users are young adults between the ages of 18 and 25, and there are roughly 170,000 new cases of heroin abuse and dependence on an annual basis. Men and women of every age and of every demographic and socioeconomic status are being deeply impacted by the far-reaching consequences of heroin abuse and addiction. More recently, heroin is being combined with fentanyl – a synthetic opioid that is between 50 and 100 times more potent than morphine (one of the most potent naturally-derived opioid narcotics). Fentanyl is largely responsible for the hundreds of heroin-related overdose deaths that occur on a daily basis. Another article published by NIDA utilizes mortality data derived from the National Vital Statistics System. This article suggests that “involvement of fentanyl in opioid overdose deaths rose from 14.3 percent in 2010 to 46 percent in 2016.” Currently, heroin laced with fentanyl is accountable for nearly half of all overdose-related deaths that occur annually throughout the US. If you or someone you love has been struggling with a heroin use disorder of any severity, seeking professional help sooner rather than later is absolutely essential to the prevention of lethal overdose.

Heroin Addiction
Signs & Symptoms

There are numerous signs and symptoms associated with heroin abuse and addiction, the most common and telling being:

• Track marks or bruising on the inner arms (consistent with intravenous use)
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts or sweatshirts (even when it is warm out) in an attempt to hide track marks on the arms
• Heroin-specific paraphernalia, which might include syringes, metal spoons, cigarette lighters and elastic bands (which are used as tourniquets)
• Physical symptoms which might include constricted pupils, a chronically dry mouth, itchy skin, nausea, vomiting, chronic constipation, slowed breathing and seeming to fall asleep suddenly (“nodding off”)
• Confusion or disorientation
• Memory loss
• Having a difficult time making rational or productive decisions
• Attempting to cut back on the amount of heroin being ingested but being unable to do so without professional intervention
• Continuing to use heroin despite a wide range of personal consequences
• Experiencing significant financial issues, and resorting to stealing money and other goods (that can be pawned) in order to support the drug habit
• Spending an excessive amount of time obtaining, using and recovering from the physical and psychological effects of heroin
• Developing a physical tolerance over time
• Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal when heroin use is stopped abruptly

Heroin Withdrawal
What to Expect

The symptoms most commonly associated with heroin withdrawal include:

• Insomnia
• Intense drug cravings
• Flu-like symptoms including watery eyes, runny nose, low-grade fever, night sweats, chills and stomach issues
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Aches and pains
• Mood swings, marked by agitation

Symptoms  of heroin withdrawal typically last for between five and seven days, and can usually be treated with a combination of medications, ample rest and intensive behavioral therapy.

It is important to note that heroin abuse and addiction always require medical detox, even though the associated symptoms are not immediately life-threatening. This is because the associated psychological drug cravings lead people back to full-blown use before the detox process is over if they attempt to withdraw in an at-home setting. In order for heroin detox to be successful, all associated symptoms — physical and psychological — must be treated in a medically monitored environment the moment they arise.

Heroin Detox
Treatment Options

When it comes to efficient heroin detox, medication assisted treatment is generally the most effective treatment option. At CuraSouth we combine medications like buprenorphine and naloxone with intensive behavioral therapy and a range of other therapeutic services. At CuraSouth we offer a comprehensive program of clinical care, tackling the physical, mental and emotional symptoms of heroin withdrawal as we actively pave the way for continued success in sobriety.

Begin Your Journey of Heroin Addiction Recovery

If you or someone you love has been suffering from a heroin abuse disorder, CuraSouth is available to help. While the symptoms associated with heroin withdrawal are not generally life-threatening, the associated psychological cravings often lead people back to heroin use before the detox process has concluded. When it comes to heroin abuse and dependence, medical detox is always a necessary first step on every personal journey of long-term recovery. The moment you or your loved one picks up the phone and calls us, we begin by conducting a simple and non-invasive pre-assessment. This assessment can be completed over the phone in a matter of minutes and includes a series of questions like, “How long have you been using heroin?” “Do you snort heroin or do you use heroin intravenously?” “Do you ever combine heroin with other chemical substances, like prescription medications or alcohol?” Once the initial assessment is complete we help you or your loved one determine the most viable coverage option. At CuraSouth we work directly with most major regional and national health insurance providers in order to make our detox program as accessible as possible. If you or your loved one is uninsured we offer additional options including self-pay and private pay. Finally, we set up a date for intake and help arrange travel plans. When all is said and done the entire admissions process can be completed in under 30 minutes, and you or your loved one will be on the way to long-term addiction recovery.

If you would like to get started or learn more about our medically monitored program of heroin detox or get started with the admission process contact us today.