Negosentro | How Long Does Heroin Rehab Take? | Heroin addiction is a serious problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s important for anyone struggling with addiction to seek help, and for those who are considering it, understanding the duration of heroin rehab can be essential in making an informed treatment decision. Let’s discuss how long it takes to complete heroin rehab and the factors that can influence its length.
What Does Heroin Look Like?
Heroin usually appears as a white or brown powder or as a black sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.” It has a bitter taste, and street dealers often mix it with other substances like sugar, powdered milk, or quinine to increase profits by stretching their supply.
How Is Heroin Taken?
Heroin can be injected into veins or muscles, smoked in pipes made out of glass or metal foil (known as “chasing the dragon”), snorted through the nose, or mixed with water and taken rectally (anal insertion). Each method of taking heroin has different effects on the body; for example, injection quickly produces strong effects because the drug enters directly into the bloodstream, while snorting takes longer but still produces powerful effects.
Why Is Heroin So Dangerous?
Heroin use carries serious risks such as overdose, permanent brain damage due to lack of oxygen from suppressed breathing during overdoses, diseases like HIV/AIDS from sharing needles used to inject heroin, vein collapse caused by repeated injections into the same spot in one’s arm or leg and subsequently having to find another vein which may be difficult to do if you’re already not well-hydrated due to addiction among other things.
Additionally, long-term use can lead to physical dependence, where withdrawal symptoms occur when heroin is stopped abruptly. These withdrawal symptoms include nausea/vomiting, diarrhea/abdominal cramps/muscle spasms/tremors/sweating/anxiety/depression, among others.
Additionally, long-term use can cause mental health issues such as anxiety or depression due to changes in how dopamine works in your brain caused by prolonged exposure (this also applies to other drugs like cocaine).
Treatment Length Varies
The length of a heroin rehab program can vary significantly based on the severity of an individual’s addiction and the type of treatment they receive. Generally speaking, most heroin rehab programs last anywhere between 30 and 90 days, with some programs lasting even longer depending on individual needs.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Care
Inpatient care is often considered to be more effective than outpatient care because it requires individuals to remain at a treatment facility under 24-hour supervision. This type of care generally lasts longer than outpatient care—typically 90 days or more—but it also offers more comprehensive care and support services.
On the other hand, outpatient care usually lasts between 30-60 days and does not require individuals to stay at a facility overnight; instead, they attend counseling sessions during regular business hours while continuing to live at home or in a sober living environment.
Because each individual is unique and requires different levels of care, it’s important for them to talk with their doctor or therapist about which type of treatment is best for their recovery process.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines medication such as buprenorphine or methadone with counseling services to treat opioid use disorder. MAT typically involves both short-term (30-90 days) and long-term (over 90 days) treatments depending on an individual’s specific needs. Additionally, MAT may include support group meetings or 12-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Heroin addiction is a serious health issue requiring professional help from trained counselors and medical professionals to address its underlying issues.
The length of time necessary for successful completion of heroin rehab depends on various factors, including severity level and type of treatment received; however, most programs range between 30-90 days for outpatient treatments and up to 90+ days for inpatient treatments if needed. Ultimately, it’s important for individuals struggling with addiction to speak candidly with their doctor or therapist about what kind of treatment plan best suits their needs so they can achieve lasting recovery success!
