Heroin Addiction

Heroin is a highly addictive drug with very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. It is a depressant that creates a feeling of wellbeing and drowsiness. It suppresses physical and emotional pain. Heroin addiction creeps up on the body fast. As use spirals out of control, it can cause major damage to the body.

Heroin addiction develops quickly - over a period of a few weeks - and increasing tolerance follows. Larger amounts need to be used more often to achieve the same effects until eventually it is only used to prevent withdrawal.

It is either inhaled or injected, so it can cause problems in either the lungs or the veins of the user. Injecting drug users are at risk of contracting blood borne viruses e.g. HIV and hepatitis, which they can then pass on to others. Heroin sold on the street is mixed with other substances. Users can't be sure of the purity of the drug. Accidental overdoses can occur as well as infections from the contaminants.

Withdrawal can start as early as a few hours after the most recent dose. Typically this includes anxiety, widespread pain, insomnia, muscle spasms, sweating and vomiting. Withdrawal can be dangerous as all of the body's systems go through changes as the effects of the drug wear off. Naltrexone implants, along with other forms of drug rehabilitation, can help people who suffer from heroin addiction.

How we can help

Over 7,500 opiate users have safely detoxed with Detox 5 since 1995.

Our five-day drug rehabilitation programme combines sedation with pain relief. It minimises patients' discomfort as the drugs leave their body. We also use naltrexone, an opiate blocker, that prevents heroin-related pleasure. Please click on the following link for more details of our heroin detox programme.