What are the Detox Protocols for Heroin Addiction?

Heroin is a semi-synthetic opioid prepared by reacting morphine with acetic anhydride. Although acetic anhydride is not a narcotic and is widely used in industry, it’s a watched chemical because of its role in the production of heroin. Heroin is about twice as strong as morphine and was first created in 1898 by a chemist working for the pharmaceutical giant Bayer. Heroin can be snorted, smoked, injected intravenously, and even ingested by mouth, but its desired effect called a rush, can only be obtained from intravenous use. The drug causes an intense withdrawal reaction if suddenly stopped. Most people cannot tolerate unmedicated heroin withdrawal and require help to get through it. That’s where heroin detox comes in. This article will now discuss the following question: What are the detox protocols for heroin addiction?

Suboxone

Suboxone is rapidly becoming the gold standard for heroin withdrawal and detox. Its combination of the synthetic opioid buprenorphine and the opioid overdose antidote drug naloxone work to safely reduce or even eliminate withdrawal symptoms and curb drug cravings. It’s not possible to abuse Suboxone by mixing the strip with water and injecting it because the naloxone will then become active, preventing any high. Buprenorphine itself is only a partial narcotic agonist with a limited ability to cause euphoria. This is because it can only partially activate the mu-opioid receptor in the brain.

In many cases, Suboxone is enough to get someone through the withdrawal process without the use of other drugs. However, like all drugs, it won’t work well for everyone. When Suboxone fails, methadone is available. A full narcotic agonist, methadone stops withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings for virtually any level of prior opioid usage. Both methadone and buprenorphine are long-acting and require only one dose per day.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Bone, muscle and stomach pain
  • Headache
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Sweating
  • Feeling hot and then cold
  • Extreme weakness and lack of energy

They are truly nasty and hard to stand. No wonder so many people need help to get through it. You have to experience it to know how truly bad it really is.

When Suboxone works somewhat but doesn’t deliver enough relief, there are other comfort medications available on a heroin detox protocol:

  • Muscle relaxants and antidepressants
  • Clonidine
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Ondasetron and similar drugs for nausea
  • Loperamide for severe diarrhea

Benzodiazepines are tranquilizer drugs in the Valium family. Some of them, such as triazolam, are used for sleep. Lorazepam can be used for either anxiety or sleep, depending on the dose. In a detox situation, diazepam would most likely be used for anxiety because it’s more long-acting. If anxiety or insomnia is a problem, benzodiazepines are highly effective and work well for short-term use. These drugs are also used to treat the restless leg syndrome sometimes occurring with opioid withdrawal. Benzodiazepines work by slowing certain chemicals in the brain. They are addictive if used long-term.

Muscle relaxants may help with restless leg syndrome and tremors. Clonidine is a beta blocker used mainly for high blood pressure and certain forms of heart disease, but it also works to reduce certain withdrawal synptoms. It’s also sedating, so it may help with sleep as well. Antidepressants may help with depression. Ondasetron is used to reduce the nausea caused by chemotherapy, but it’s an effective anti-nausea drug for withdrawal, too. It’s unlikely that diarrhea will occur with Suboxone treatment and extremely unlikely to happen with methadone, but if it does, loperamide stops diarrhea in just one to three doses.

What is Rapid Detox?

These rapid detox facilities claim to get you through opioid withdrawal while you sleep. Don’t believe the hype. Rapid detox is both ineffective and dangerous. Once you’re addicted to heroin, there’s no easy way out. You certainly can’t sleep through it. It will take the body time to adjust. That’s the purpose of both Suboxone and methadone. Rapid detox will put you in a deep sedated state for up to several days, so of course you won’t be aware of the withdrawal during that time. However, when you do awake, you’ll be in the same stage of withdrawal that you would have been in, anyway. It’s pretty stupid and quite expensive, too.

Need Help?

If you’re struggling with heroin and need help, call us anytime at 844-844-3463. Our professional group of drug counselors is here to assist you and help you find the best treatment facilities in your area.