Heroin is a dangerous narcotic made from the poppy plant, Papaver somniferum, and has a high rate of addiction. When people take heroin over an extended period of time, no matter the dosage, they will form an addiction that can be difficult to break without medical support from a heroin detox program. Detoxing from heroin without support is dangerous and can lead to overdose and death. A heroin detox center provides a safe detoxing experience and allows men and women to continue with their addiction recovery.
At Crestview Recovery, we give men and women 18 and over a safe and effective addiction treatment program designed around each client’s particular needs. We offer residential and outpatient treatment where clients will participate in behavioral and holistic therapies and develop coping skills for a healthier future. If you or a loved one is struggling with heroin addiction, reach out to our compassionate staff today by calling 866.262.0531 for more information about heroin detoxing.
How Can a Heroin Detox Program Help with Addiction Recovery?
Heroin and other drugs can cause permanent changes in your body that disrupt the natural production of essential neurotransmitters. The chemicals you ingest attach themselves to the opioid receptors in your body and signal a massive release of dopamine, which is responsible for the euphoric feelings. Your body can never produce the same amount of dopamine naturally. With continued heroin abuse, your body will stop releasing dopamine until you take more heroin.
If you stop taking heroin, you will begin to feel withdrawal symptoms that can begin as soon as 6–12 hours since your last dose and last for several weeks to months. Common heroin withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches and pains
- Stomach cramps
- Depression
- Twitching
- Irritability
With continued abuse, heroin addiction can lead to collapsed veins, skin lesions and infections, liver and kidney damage, and other serious medical conditions. When you’re ready for a positive change, a heroin detox program can ease withdrawal symptoms using medications to counteract the uncomfortable and dangerous effects of heroin withdrawal.
Preparing for a Heroin Detox Program in Portland
Heroin addiction affects more than just the person who is struggling with addiction. It can fracture relationships, break apart families, and cause serious mistrust among co-workers. This is especially true if they have lied, threatened, or stolen from them. A heroin detox program is the first step toward recovering and rebuilding the life you want to live.
Here are a few things to do to prepare yourself for a heroin detox program in Portland:
- Be willing to accept help – We are stubborn human beings and don’t like to admit we need help. Heroin addiction is a serious medical condition that requires medical support to minimize the dangers of withdrawals and help clients continue their recovery journey.
- Research treatment centers – Not all treatment centers are the same, and you want to find one that has experience treating all types of addiction and mental health disorders.
- Be honest with friends and family – Your family will be a big support system for you during and after treatment. Family therapy is included with addiction treatment to restore the family bond.
- Be open to change – Addiction recovery will cause big changes in your life. During recovery, you will learn to distance yourself from unhealthy relationships that promote drug abuse. At the same time, you’ll develop new interests and hobbies, and get a healthier outlook on life.
Crestview Recovery Provides Safe and Effective Addiction Treatment Programs in Portland
At Crestview Recovery, we partner with the top heroin detox center in Portland to provide our clients with a safe and effective detox experience. Once you complete detox, you will return to our facility to continue your recovery journey. We have a full range of treatment programs, including:
- Residential treatment program
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Separate men’s and women’s rehab
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Alumni programs
When you’re ready to stop letting your addiction ruin your life, call 866.262.0531 or fill out our online form today to begin your addiction recovery.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
