How Do I Quit Heroin Without Suboxone?
Heroin is among the most dangerous and addictive substances known but how to quit without Suboxone? We have an answer.
If one has become addicted to heroin, they are likely to experience withdrawal when they quit, but withdrawal symptoms can also appear following heavy use. Physically, heroin withdrawal may feel like having the flu. People often experience nausea, diarrhea, runny nose, achiness, tremors, fatigue, chills, and sweats. Move severe symptoms can also occur such as difficulty breathing, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
While heroin withdrawal can be intense and uncomfortable, the worst symptoms usually pass within a week. Depending on the level and length of use, recovering heroin addicts are likely to suffer post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS), including poor sleep, poor concentration, increased anxiety, depression, panic attacks, fatigue, hypersensitivity, irritability, mood swings, restlessness, and memory loss. PAWS can last anywhere from 18-24 months. The effects on mood and behavior can last months after other withdrawal symptoms pass. However, as time goes by and the user remains drug-free, the symptoms will slowly diminish.
Quitting Heroin Cold-Turkey
Stopping heroin “cold-turkey” brings about a rapid onset of withdrawal symptoms, which are very difficult to endure. The risk of experiencing a relapse during withdrawal is high as the craving to use and stop the symptoms can be overwhelming. When people try to self-taper their heroin use on their own, they are seldom successful. A relapse during withdrawal sometimes leads to overdose.
Quitting cold turkey is not recommended as it is the most difficult and dangerous way to address addiction. Instead, medically supervised detox with withdrawal medications, counseling support, and symptom management make the experience much easier, safer, and more likely to result in a successful recovery.
Other Ways To Quit Heroin
There are many ways of treating heroin withdrawal. One of the most commonly used approaches are pharmacological (medications).
Medications developed to treat opioid use disorders work through the same opioid receptors as the addictive drug but are safer and less likely to produce the harmful behaviors that characterize a substance use disorder. One of the most popular is Suboxone.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH),
Suboxone is the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone used to treat opioid dependence (addiction to opioid drugs, including heroin and narcotic painkillers). Buprenorphine is in a class of medications called opioid partial agonist-antagonists, and naloxone is in a class of medications called opioid antagonists. Buprenorphine alone and the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone work to prevent withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking opioid drugs by producing similar effects to these drugs.
How Do I Quit Heroin Without Suboxone?
Some addicts don’t choose Suboxone for ways of quitting heroin or can’t, for that matter. It may be because they can’t afford to see the doctor or some other reason. Other ways can help you quit heroin, they’re not easy, but if you are serious, it can be done.
- Behavioral Therapies
The many effective behavioral treatments available for opioid use disorder can be delivered in outpatient and residential settings. Approaches such as future planning and cognitive-behavioral therapy have been shown to effectively treat heroin addiction, especially when applied in concert with medications. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is designed to help modify the patient’s expectations and behaviors related to drug use and increase skills in coping with various life stressors.
- Tapering
A tapering regimen is all about lessening tolerance and dependence over time. Taking less and less of the drug allows the body and nervous system to self-correct and, ultimately, heal itself. Keeping withdrawal symptoms at bay makes it more likely that an individual will continue the recovery process. This is one of the primary reasons replacement therapy is used as well. Additionally, it must be remembered that heroin doses are not exact from batch to batch. For this reason, it can be difficult to taper off consistently since using less heroin doesn’t necessarily mean it is less potent each time.
No Matter The Ways You Come Off Heroin, Evoke Waltham Can Help
No matter the ways you come off heroin, Evoke Waltham Center can help. Evoke Waltham Center is an addiction treatment program located in the heart of Waltham, Massachusetts. Our carefully developed vision of quality clinical care includes Day Treatment and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs.
Our medical, clinical and therapeutic team of experienced and compassionate professionals is available around-the-clock to treat all symptoms associated with addiction as well as the underlying causes. This addiction recovery experience is ideal for individuals ready for world-class drug or alcohol treatment who have been suffering from a substance use disorder.
We pride ourselves on staying true to our name. At Evoke Waltham, we are available 24/7 to help in any way that we can. Please feel free to take advantage of our comprehensive recovery-related services in person, virtually, or over the phone. We serve men and women of all ages in our state-of-the-art Waltham, Massachusetts addiction treatment facility with a strength-based focus that exceeds the norm.
