Heroin Withdrawal

Heroin withdrawal can be triggered when stopping usage that has lasted as little as 3 days.

“A sudden discontinued supply of opiates will often cause unbearable withdrawal symptoms including irritability, profuse sweating, abdominal cramping and diarrhea,” states detoxification anesthesiologist, Dr. Clifford A. Bernstein, M.D. “This agonizing withdrawal is the reason most of those with dependencies cannot stop taking the drugs.”

Heroin is an illegal narcotic synthesized from morphine, similar to other opiate drugs. Dependence resembles that of other potent painkiller medication; can become highly habit-forming; and, causes both physical and psychological dependence.

Heroin patients experience extreme discomfort when they abruptly cease the drug after either short or prolonged use. Heroin withdrawal may begin within 6 to 24 hours after cessation. Heroin withdrawal symptoms magnify those of withdrawal from other opiate medications:

The onset of withdrawal can fluctuate dependent on the person’s tolerance level and the amount of the last dose ingested.

In pregnant women, Heroin will harm unborn babies and provoke addiction or withdrawal in the newborn. Heroin may also be passed into mother’s milk, endangering a nursing infant.

Heroin’s recreational use has stronger euphoric effect than that of most opioids. The potential for overdose makes it an illegal, controlled substance. Moderate to high doses provoke convulsion, damage organs, and constrict breathing.

Withdrawal is a difficult, painful process. Patients risk an agonizing withdrawal with damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs if not supervised by experienced medical professionals.

Methadone and buprenorphine (Suboxone) are longer-acting opioid or Heroin substitutes used by rehab programs to help treat addiction, by gradually tapering down doses. However, while methadone treatment for Heroin does not offer the same euphoric effect as Heroin, it is just as addictive as Heroin; causes more intense symptoms; and, withdrawal lasts longer, usually one month.

Safe and responsible rapid detoxification under anesthesia decreases the risks of Heroin withdrawal and mitigates its symptoms. Some conventional detox programs use an older protocol that inflicts patients with an unsafe and painful Heroin withdrawal.

Heroin dependency is both reversible and treatable. Heroin withdrawal syndrome is an avoidable condition. The Waismann Method of Rapid Detoxification is a safe, effective, dignified and opiate-free procedure to help patients break the Heroin cycle.