Short-Term and Longer-Term Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Experiencing heroin withdrawal is often compared to having the flu but 1,000 times worse. The symptoms are so uncomfortable that many won’t try to quit because they don’t want to face them, or those who do try to quit return to the drug to get rid of the symptoms.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms kick in at varying times after the last dose of the drug depending on factors such as dosage, frequency of use, duration of use, combination with other drugs, brain chemistry, and more. However, most acute withdrawal symptoms start 8-24 hours after the last dose and include:
- Sweating
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Yawning
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Sleep issues
- Severe drug cravings
Other withdrawal symptoms can last up to 10 days after the last dose. These symptoms may include:
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Dilated pupils
How long these withdrawal symptoms last and how severe they depend on the way the drug was consumed, how long it was used, how much was used, and how often it was used.
Understanding How Heroin Affects the Body
Heroin may be snorted or taken intravenously. Although the immediate high may only last a few minutes, the full effects of one dose can last for a few hours. Once the high wears off, the individual may fade in and out of consciousness. Heroin also affects the body in these other short-term ways:
- Dry mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Severe itching
- Constipation
- Mood swings
- Slow breathing
For those who continue to abuse heroin, the drug has several long-term effects on the body, including:
- Collapsed veins
- Tolerance and dependence
- Blood clots due to injection site problems
- Lung infections like pneumonia or tuberculosis
- Stroke
- Overdose
- Liver and kidney damage
- Viral infections like HIV or hepatitis from sharing needles
How Heroin Affects the Brain
As previously mentioned, continued use of heroin fools the brain into thinking that it no longer needs to produce its natural level of opiates since heroin provides opiates for the brain instead. In turn, the brain decreases the natural level of opiates produced, and it needs synthetically-produced heroin (or other opioids) to feel “normal.” At this stage, heroin has already changed the natural reward system in the brain, and this is what created the addiction.
Opioids, however, are not just related to pain relief and a sense of calm. They are also related to our breathing system. A person who uses heroin will experience slowed or depressed breathing, and the less oxygen the brain receives, the less it will be able to help the other systems in our body function properly. This could lead to organ damage.
The Severity of Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Heroin withdrawal is not a joke. The symptoms are severe, intense, and often dreaded. With that said, it is absolutely possible to get through withdrawal and on the way to recovery, and it is best to do so with the help of medical supervision. A medically-supervised staff will help make the symptoms more comfortable, help to reduce cravings, and create a short- and long-term recovery plan.
Getting through withdrawal and quitting heroin are two different things. Therapy and counseling are recommended for those looking to quit and stay off the drug. It is not recommended that you try to quit at home, and it is not recommended that you try to quit on your own. If you or a loved one needs help with a heroin detox & rehab and/or needs professional help with heroin withdrawal, you can speak confidentially with one of our treatment experts today. Just contact us here 24/7.
Related Articles :
The Effects of Heroin Addiction
The Effects of Heroin on the Body
Heroin and the Brain: What Everyone Should Know about the Drug’s Scary, Long-Term Side Effects
