Heroin Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms of heroin, the signs and symptoms of heroin withdrawal are the opposite of the direct pharmacological effects of heroin, and are typically compared to a bad case of flu depending on the user’s history of heroin use. On the other hand, heroin withdrawal severity depends on dose and route of administration. A substantial portion of the physical symptoms seem to depend on the activity of a part of the brainstem called the locus coeruleus. Opiates depress this area and it would therefore be expected to become hyperactive during withdrawal. The locus coeruleus is an important center in the brain's fear-alarm system, and such hyperactivity would be consistent with the marked anxiety and agitation that withdrawing addicts report.

As with other opiates, heroin is used both as a pain-killer and a recreational drug. Frequent administration quickly leads to tolerance and dependence and has a very high potential for addiction. If sustained use of heroin for as little as three days is stopped abruptly, withdrawal symptoms can appear. This is much quicker than other common opioids such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.

Heroin withdrawal typically begins 6 to 8 hours after the user’s last dose of heroin. The most severe withdrawal symptoms tend to be experienced around 48 to 72 hours after the user’s last dose and last for an average of a week. If you need help with substance abuse you can apply for free to one of our Teen Challenge Centers today. You will need to complete an online application form to get help. One of our Support Workers or Centre Manager will then contact you to arrange an interview.

When coming off heroin you can have anxiety and strong desire for the drug (cravings), watery eyes, watery discharge from the nose, and yawning. Dilated (enlarged) pupils of the eyes, loss of appetite, shakes, hot and cold flashes, muscle cramps and aching body, fever, high blood pressure, fast pulse, goose flesh and rapid breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and dehydration.

Depression is also a symptom of heroin withdrawal. During withdrawal, many individuals experience such a deep and overwhelming depression and a feeling like they're going to die, that they are not able to make it through the withdrawal process, and that is what leads to relapses. Withdrawal, nevertheless, almost never kills anyone. It can be harmful to people with HIV/AIDS. It can also be harmful to the fetus if a woman is pregnant, and to anyone with a serious health problem.

The risks of continuing with heroin

Deaths from overdoses occur. But the risk increases after a period off the drug because the body's tolerance for the drug goes down. Overdoses can lead to coma and even death from respiratory failure (i.e. when breathing stops). If heroin is taken with other drugs, including alcohol, overdose is more likely. Other downers such as benzodiazepine tranquillizers are also associated with heroin overdose deaths. There's also a risk of death due to inhaling vomit as heroin stops the body's cough reflex working effectively.

Injecting heroin can damage veins and has been known to lead to gangrene (death and decay of body tissue, usually a digit or a limb) and tissue infections. The risks of sharing needles and other works to inject are well-known, increasing the danger of contracting infections like hepatitis B or C and HIV/AIDS.

What are the symptoms of heroin withdrawal?

Regardless of dosage, these reactions may appear:

    * Convulsions

    * Increased heart rate

    * Abnormal heartbeat

    * Heart attack

    * Sudden, sharp blood pressure increase

    * Stroke

    * Extreme depression

    * Suicidal behavior

As withdrawal progresses, elevations in blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate and temperature occur. Symptoms of overdose -- which may result in death -- include shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions and coma.

Free treatment for heroin

Don't withdraw from heroin alone, Teen Challenge’s rehabilitation programmes for heroin abuse is open to everyone both men and women who need addiction help. We have Wilkerson House Center in London that is open to men only and Hope House Center in Wales is for women. Both are residential and the programme term is 12 months. The programme is FREE, for more information you will need to complete an online application form.

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