Leading Heroin Detox Center in Virginia

The importance of heroin detox

Heroin is a very powerful drug in the opioid family. Opioids are drugs that are derived from, or are chemically similar to, substances found in the opium poppy plant. Illicit opioids, such as heroin and opium, are typically eaten, smoked, or injected, and when ingested, they produce powerful feelings of relaxation, pleasure, and well-being. Prescription opioids, such as morphine, fentanyl, OxyContin, and hydrocodone, are used to treat severe pain.

Heroin is an extremely potent substance, and some people can develop an addiction after only one or two uses. As the person continues to use heroin, the drug has less of an effect on his or her body. As a result, the person requires higher and higher doses of the drug in order to achieve the deserted effects. This need for higher doses of the drug over time is known as tolerance, and it is one of the symptoms of heroin addiction.

If a person who has been abusing heroin attempts to stop using the drug, his or her body may enter a state similar to shock as it attempts to readjust to functioning without the presence of the drug. This readjustment process is known as withdrawal and can bring a host of uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous symptoms. Perhaps the worst part about withdrawal, however, is that the quickest way to relieve one’s symptoms is to simply take more of the substance that the person had been abusing.

Because of the severe discomfort associated with withdrawal, and the temptation to relapse during this period, many people are unable to stop abusing heroin without professional help from a reputable addiction treatment center. Often, a person may attempt to quit on his or her own, only to find that the temptation to relapse, or even just the symptoms himself, are simply too much to handle on his or her own. In almost all situations, a professional heroin addiction treatment program will give each individual the best possible chance of recovering from heroin abuse.

Benefits of detoxing from heroin at Life Center of Galax in Virginia

As described above, it can be all but impossible to withdraw successfully from heroin without professional help. However, many substance abuse treatment centers offer a service called detoxification, or detox. Life Center of Galax’s detox treatment program offers a number of benefits to individuals who are attempting to break free from the chains of heroin abuse. Some of these benefits include:

• Medical monitoring. Individuals are carefully observed by the medical team consisting of physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, nurses, and other clinical professionals. This medical team can track the individual’s progress through the withdrawal process and can administer medications to alleviate some of the symptoms of withdrawal. This medical team ensures that withdrawal is as safe and as comfortable as possible.
• Continuity of care. Generally the people who are most successful in a heroin abuse treatment center are the ones who can progress through each stage of treatment without interruption. People who complete our detox program are often able to transition directly into residential care or whatever the next phase of treatment may be. This interruption-free treatment gives the individual the best possible chance of experiencing his or her first few weeks or months of sobriety while also limiting the possibility of relapse.
• Developing recovery skills. Taking back one’s life from heroin abuse requires an individual to learn new coping skills and even change certain elements of his or her everyday life. Our detox, residential care, and continuing care options all help individuals begin to develop the skill sets they need to create long-term recovery in their lives.

If a person does not seek professional help from a reputable addiction treatment center for a heroin abuse problem, the issue is likely to continue and to worsen. Without detox, it can be all but impossible for many individuals to overcome heroin abuse and successfully navigate the withdrawal princess. With continued abuse of heroin, an individual remains at constant risk of experiencing heroin abuse complications, including organ damage, memory problems, poor judgment, HIV or hepatitis C infections, and even a potentially fatal overdose.

Although the problems associated with continued heroin abuse are severe and life-threatening, recovery is possible. By seeking out the help of a highly experienced treatment team and comprehensive detox care, a person can give him- or herself the best possible chance at a life free from heroin abuse. If you or someone you love may benefit from the top notch care that we provide at Life Center of Galax, in Virginia, do not hesitate to contact us. There is no need to live one more day bearing the weight of a heroin addiction.