About 9% of Americans have abused opiates, including heroin, in their lives. Development of dependency usually leads to a desire to quit the habit.
Quitting drugs isn’t impossible, but it’s difficult. Withdrawal symptoms of heroin are arguably the most challenging part of dealing with heroin addiction.
It’s imperative for you to understand the symptoms and learn how to handle them.
Such knowledge will make your road to recovery less rocky. Check out this following guide on how to handle this situation.
Some Withdrawal Symptoms of Heroin
The following are some of the symptoms you would expect when withdrawing from heroin:
Craving
Cravings are common in people withdrawing from all addictive substances. Desire to experience the high feeling those drugs give and the desire to stop withdrawal symptoms drive the urges.
Mood Swings
When you experience a heroin high, your moods swing to the high side like a pendulum. Moods swing the other way when you’re withdrawing from the drugs!
The opposite swing results in feelings of depression and anxiety. Negative feelings are more intense in people who take heroin to suppress their past hurting moments.
Pain
Heroin blocks the pathways of pain in the body. During withdrawal, the body reacquaints itself with sensitivity to pain. Pain is common in the legs and back.
Other withdrawal symptoms of heroin include excessive body fluids such as sweat and mucus. The fluids increase as the body finds its balance.
You’re also likely to experience sleeplessness, fever, and nausea. These symptoms are the reason why quitting heroin cold turkey is a challenge.
Dealing with Symptoms
1. Get emotional support: Depression and anxiety, known as dysphoria, are one of the biggest causes of relapse. It’s vital for you to have a support system of people with whom you can share your feelings.
These may be friends, a therapist, a support group, or members of the family. Sharing feelings can help you alleviate negative moods.
2. Exercise: Feelings of lethargy are a part of withdrawal symptoms. You shouldn’t give in to them.
Physical exercise releases the hormone serotonin, which helps alleviate the dysphoric feelings that come with withdrawal. Exercises become a healthy alternative to heroin.
Please note that your exercise regimen doesn’t have to be elaborate at this point. It can be as simple as walking for a kilometer.
3. Rest: Getting rest helps a lot. Remember your body is still trying to find its balance; hard work will only put further strain on it.
Try to sleep for at least eight hours every day. It’s advisable for you to take a few days from work during this period.
4. Stay hydrated: You’re likely to lose your appetite during detox but do your best to drink healthy fluids.
Dehydration does a lot to exacerbate your withdrawal symptoms, and you should avoid it at all costs. When you can eat, avoid processed food and eat vegetables.
5. Medical Detox: Your withdrawal symptoms may be too severe to manage at home.
In such a case, you need to visit a professional who is both skilled and equipped to help you deal with withdrawal. Sometimes, a doctor may prescribe medicine to help you with recovery.
You Can Overcome Addiction
No matter how severe your addiction is, you can beat it! The important thing is taking the first step, no matter how faltering.
Make sure you surround yourself with people who support you in the endeavor and withdrawal symptoms of heroin will not stop you.
