Heroin Treatment

As a potent opioid, heroin is highly addictive and can be challenging to quit.  People who attempt to quit heroin on their own rarely succeed due to extreme cravings and other withdrawal symptoms.  However, with the right heroin addiction treatment program, recovery is achievable.

Almost 25% of heroin users become addicted to the drug, making it imperative that appropriate treatment is available.

Design for Change Recovery in Lancaster, California offers customized treatment plans tailored specifically for heroin addiction.  Our goal is to provide the perfect balance of counseling, group support, therapies, and medication to help our clients achieve long-term recovery.

Why Heroin Addiction Treatment Is Important

Prolonged heroin abuse can destroy a person’s health, create havoc in all areas of their life, and cause death from overdose or other complications.  Across the U.S., about 20% of all drug overdoses involve heroin, according to NIDA.

An integrated model of addiction treatment programs can reduce overdoses by helping people conquer addictions.  Integrated models of treatment include treating the physiological, psychological, and spiritual aspects of addiction. This treatment model also includes addressing co-occurring mental or physical health issues that play a role in a person’s substance use disorder.

Saving lives is our goal and as a result, thousands of people are now enjoying addiction-free lives after undergoing treatment in our California heroin rehab.

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Heroin

People use heroin for the intense “rush” it produces.  The duration of euphoria is about 10–20 minutes, depending on the method of ingestion and the person’s tolerance level.  As the euphoria decreases, several short-term side effects may appear such as:

• Flushing of the skin
• Dry mouth
• Heavy sensation in extremities
• Severe itching
• Reduced mental functioning
• Going “on the nod”

The long-term side effects of heroin vary from one user to the next depending on factors such as physical health, the presence of other substances, or the purity of the heroin.  People who use heroin over a prolonged period may experience long-term effects that include:

• Insomnia
• Damaged nasal tissue (if heroin is snorted)
• Collapsed veins (if heroin is injected)
• Infections of the heart lining and valves
• Liver and kidney damage
• Lung complications
• Sexual dysfunction (men)
• Irregular menstrual cycle (women)
• Mental disorders, depression
• HIV or hepatitis C (if heroin is injected)

Heroin addiction not only affects the individual.  Society faces consequences such as drug-related violence, crime, incarcerations, and law enforcement, costing billions of dollars every year.

Access to affordable, effective heroin treatment in California is vital to help reduce the costs of heroin addiction.  It will also contribute to the reduced impact of addiction on families, employers, and communities.

Without the burden of addiction, people can resume their role as contributing members of society.  At Design for Change Recovery, we strive to be a part of the solution to heroin addiction.  We accomplish this by providing unique, evidence-based methodologies that target the specific problems associated with heroin abuse.

Treatment Options for Heroin Addiction

California heroin addiction treatment programs specialize in assisting individuals in overcoming their physical addictions, while also teaching them relapse prevention techniques.  In most cases, an inpatient program is recommended for individuals with heroin problems.  However, less restrictive programs like outpatient treatment are available.

The primary goal of California heroin rehab is to help clients learn to live without heroin or other addictive substances.  This involves providing a comprehensive program that helps clients gain confidence, rebuild self-esteem, and learn how to maintain a healthy, productive lifestyle.

Design for Change Recovery offers the following treatment options:

Detox

Addiction recovery progresses in stages, starting with detoxification.  The purpose of detox is to allow the body to rid itself of all traces of the drug.  A person won’t succeed in completing a rehab program unless the toxins that cause cravings are eliminated.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab provides accommodations so clients can remain at the facility 24/7 during treatment.  In this type of supervised environment, the chance of obtaining drugs is nonexistent.  Healing takes place in a comforting environment in which clients feel safe and supported.  Treatment in inpatient rehab can last from 30–90 days or longer if needed.

Inpatient programs are best for people who have severe addictions or co-occurring disorders.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Partial hospitalization is also referred to as day treatment.  The programs provide high-quality treatment while allowing clients to return home each night.  Treatment typically lasts 4–6 hours a day, 5 days a week in a hospital-based setting.

PHPs are for individuals who have a stable support system or those who can’t commit to an inpatient program.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Intensive outpatient programs allow clients to undergo treatment while they continue working, attending school, and managing other day-to-day responsibilities.  These programs are suitable for individuals who don’t require detox or 24-hour supervision.

The ideal candidates for IOPs are individuals who have a safe home environment with family members who support their loved one’s recovery.

Aftercare Services

Design for Change Recovery understands the challenges a newly recovered person will face after treatment.  Returning to the stresses of daily life without their chosen coping tool can be overwhelming.

We care about our client’s success and show it by offering aftercare services to help them stay on track after rehab.  An aftercare program provides services that help a person find employment, locate support groups, obtain daycare for their children, and arrange transportation, to name a few.  The program also offers essential support and guidance for our clients during this challenging time.

Medications for Heroin Addiction Treatment

Heroin withdrawals can be traumatic.  Individuals with severe heroin addictions can experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.  To help minimize the discomfort and danger of heroin withdrawal, medications are an essential tool during detox and afterward.

Medications that help reduce cravings, pain, and other withdrawal symptoms are:

• Buprenorphine – An FDA-approved prescription drug that is used as a replacement drug in heroin treatment.  It is started at the beginning of withdrawal symptoms to help reduce pain.
• Naltrexone – An FDA-approved drug used in treating alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder.  It blocks the euphoric and sedative effects of heroin and other opioids.
• Suboxone – A combination of buprenorphine and naltrexone.  It is used to reduce the pain and discomfort of heroin withdrawals and to inhibit the euphoria of heroin use.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for heroin addiction has helped thousands of individuals overcome their addiction and avoid relapse in the long term.

Can Heroin Overdose Be Treated?

Heroin overdoses are not always fatal, but the risk is higher today due to the presence of fentanyl in many street drugs.  It is impossible to detect fentanyl, and this results in fatal overdoses among unsuspecting heroin users.

Naloxone is a safe drug that can reverse heroin overdoses.  Naloxone (Narcan) works by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain. It usually works within two or three minutes if no other drugs are in the person’s system.

Why Choose Design for Change Recovery

One thing that sets us apart from other California addiction treatment programs is our commitment to excellence in everything we do.  We are certified by the State of California and have been awarded the JCAHO Gold Seal of Approval.  This means we consistently provide high-quality care that meets their rigorous standards.

Our highly-trained staff is experienced and certified in the field of substance abuse treatment.  We employ only compassionate people who are dedicated to our client’s safety and success.  Another reason to choose Design for Change Recovery is our high success rate in helping individuals overcome addictions and maintain sobriety for a lifetime

The state of California has hundreds of heroin treatment programs.  However, the quality of care and success rates differ among them.  Choosing Design for Change Recovery is the right decision for anyone who wants to be free from heroin addiction and the problems it creates.

Contact our Lancaster, California facility to learn more about how our heroin addiction treatment program can help you achieve your recovery goals.

Sources:

• nida.nih.gov/– Heroin Research Report Overview
• nida.nih.gov/ – Naloxone DrugFacts