What is Heroin Heroin is an addictive drug, processed from morphine. It usually appears as a white or brown powdery substance. Short-term effects include a surge of euphoria followed by alternately wakeful and drowsy states and cloudy mental functioning. Long-term users may develop collapsed veins, liver disease, and lung complications.
Heroin Withdrawal and Detox Heroin, being a form of morphine requires medically monitored detox. Heroin use causes a strong physical dependence and therefore withdrawal can result in serious complications. Heroin detox and withdrawal symptoms can include seizures, heart irregularities, vomiting, insomnia and the sweats. Once the body has adapted to the presence of the drug, withdrawal symptoms may occur if heroin use is reduced or stopped. Withdrawal, in regular abusers, may occur as early as a few hours after the last administration. It may also produce drug craving, restlessness, muscle and bone pain and diarrhea, cold flashes, goose bumps (cold turkey), leg kicking movements and various other physical symptoms. Most heroin detox and withdrawal symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose. Sudden heroin detox, withdrawal, by heavily users can be fatal. Several different schools of thought exist as to the best method for heroin detox. Medical heroin detox is done in a variety of ways including using methadone to taper, methadone maintenance or administering various drugs to prevent or minimize the physical side effects. Medical heroin detox always includes closely monitoring the person’s vital signs (blood pressure and heart rate) for complications. Medical heroin detox usually takes 7 to 10 days to complete the process.
