Heroin Drug Treatment
Heroin drug treatment is the most comprehensive method for helping an individual overcome their dependence on this dangerous drug. When an individual is addicted to heroin, they will quickly see their lives tumble out of control - all the while unable or unwilling to reach out for help. It is imperative that family and friends talk to their loved one about their drug addiction.
If talking to the person about their problem does not work, then the next logical course of action is a drug intervention. An intervention is a meeting in which friends and family members "confront" the individual about their addiction and how it is hurting those closest to them.
An intervention should be organized with the help of a professional interventionist. These trained individuals can help insure the safety of everyone involved and make sure that the dialogue at the intervention is kept positive and productive. The end goal of the intervention is to get the individual into a heroin drug treatment center immediately following the meeting so that they can start receiving help for their heroin addiction.
What takes place in heroin drug treatment? There are many different types of rehab centers for heroin. Most programs feature three core elements to their treatment plan: detox, counseling, and aftercare.
Heroin Drug Treatment Detox: Individuals who wish to achieve recovery from their heroin addiction must start with detox. Drug detox allows the individual to free themselves of the harmful toxins associated with heroin so that they can continue on with the rest of the rehab process. Heroin detox usually carries a number of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that are not life threatening, but may lead to relapse if the individual is left unsupervised.
Because of the nature of heroin abuse, it is difficult to quit using without professional help. The effects of withdrawal that an addict will go through when quitting are very intense and unpleasant. Some of the effects include:
- Aches
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Hot and cold flashes
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Rapid breathing
- Vomiting
After a user goes through detox, they should continue into a heroin drug treatment facility in order to get the continued recovery supervision and counseling necessary to beat their addiction. A patient who only goes through heroin detox is more likely to relapse.
Heroin Drug Treatment Counseling: Individual and group counseling are a chance for the individual to delve into the reason why they use heroin. Also, they will work closely with a counselor or therapist to develop strategies for changing the behavior and making better decisions pertaining to drugs. Group counseling is a unique experience that allows individuals to form a bond with other recovering addicts and gain strength from their stories and their on-going support.
There are two major types of heroin drug treatment facilities: residential and outpatient. Each one offers comprehensive heroin addiction treatment, but also sport several key differences.
Residential heroin drug treatment: This is a chance to leave one's destructive environment behind and enter a safe place where the only thing to worry about is focusing on recovery. These facilities may require a stay of between a month and a full year and often offer all the amenities of a fine hotel. Residential rehab has individuals living side-by-side with other recovering addicts which helps create a solid support structure.
Outpatient heroin drug treatment: Outpatient heroin rehab features detox, counseling and other related programs found in residential care - with the difference that individuals go home at the end of every treatment day. This is a good solution for those who need to be close to their families or have responsibilities that include work or school. Outpatient programs are more likely to be found in big cities or other densely populated areas.
Heroin Drug Treatment Aftercare: Aftercare programs help the individual adjust to life post-rehab. It is one thing to learn valuable strategies and skills while a heroin rehab center, but it is another to put them into practice. Aftercare provides this transitional support in the form of follow-up counseling and sober living.
A variety of treatments are available for heroin addiction. Heroin drug treatment tends to be more effective when heroin abuse is identified early. The treatments that follow vary depending on the individual, but methadone, a synthetic opiate that blocks the effects of heroin and eliminates withdrawal symptoms, has been used on people addicted to heroin. Many heroin addicts become addicted to methadone and end of feeling as though they are not able to live their life drug-free once and for all.
Other pharmaceutical approaches, such as Buprenorphine, and many behavioral therapies also are used for treating heroin addiction. Buprenorphine is a recent addition to the array of medications now available for treating addiction to heroin and other opiates. This medication is different from methadone in that it is thought to have less risk of addiction and can be prescribed in the privacy of a doctor's office.
History has demonstrated that drug-free heroin drug treatment programs have a longer-term effect on the individual. With so many millions of Americans addicted to drugs, a different approach to heroin addiction treatment needs to be taken. We need to open our eyes and realize that substituting one drug for another is not working and more needs to be done.
Many top heroin drug treatment programs feel the focus needs to be taken off of what prescription drug a person can take for their illegal drug addiction. Instead, it needs to be put on how the person addicted can live a drug-free life without the assistance of any medication, legal or illegal, ever again. Many do not believe that addiction can be overcome because they have been told it is a "disease" that they are going to live with for the rest of their lives. Luckily, we know different; drug addiction is not a disease and something can be done about it.
