Heroin affects the brain’s reward system, allowing users to become more tolerant of the drug’s effects over time. To achieve the same “high” as before, the user will eventually need bigger doses. Heroin withdrawal symptoms appear when a heroin user stops taking the drug.
People who are addicted to heroin frequently continue to use in order to avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Heroin abuse has comparable effects to painkillers such as Oxycodone and Hydrocodone, but it is far more potent. Heroin withdrawal is more severe than withdrawal from prescribed pain relievers.
How Long Does It Take to Withdraw From Heroin?
When someone stops using heroin, they may experience immediate changes in their feelings and thoughts. The brain takes some time to realize the medications are no longer present. As a result, your body appears to fight back, pushing you to seek out the substance. The typical heroin withdrawal timeline is as follows:
- Withdrawal begins six to twelve hours after the last dosage;
- Symptoms peak one to three days after the last dose
- Withdrawal begins to subside after about a week.
When Does Withdrawal from Heroin Begin?
Withdrawing from heroin has a variety of effects on people. Two important aspects that influence what a person feels when they stop using are the length of use and the amount of use. If you’ve been using heroin for a long time, your body and brain are probably addicted to it, therefore your symptoms will likely be more severe and stay longer.
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Muscle spasms and shaking
- Abdominal discomfort
- Nervousness and agitation
- Cravings for the substance
- Sweating
While some people experience these symptoms to a high degree, others do not. Some people may have more severe symptoms on the first day, which will subside with time.
Timeline for Heroin Withdrawal
1–2 days
Symptoms may appear as soon as 6 hours after the last dose has been taken. Pain, mainly muscle aches, will begin to appear on the first day. During the first 48 hours, these will become more prominent. Anxiety, panic attacks, sleeplessness, shivering, and diarrhea are also common symptoms during this time.
3–5 days
Withdrawal has reached its peak by the third or fourth day. Abdominal cramps, sweating, shivers, and nausea/vomiting are all common symptoms during this period.
6-7 Days
The acute withdrawal period usually lasts a week. Muscle aches and nausea will begin to fade during this period. Former users will begin to feel more normal in terms of their physical appearance (though still worn down and tired).
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
After acute withdrawal, withdrawal symptoms may persist in a sporadic fashion for months. The neurological alterations that occur as a result of Heroin usage are the source of these symptoms. Anxiety, depression, exhaustion, sleeplessness, and irritability are just a few of the common long-term symptoms.
Deal with Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms at Taylor Recovery Center.
It’s necessary to strive to free your body from the grip of addiction, but doing so in a secure environment is even more important. The length of time it takes to recover from heroin addiction varies from person to person. You’ll have the tools and resources to properly support your recovery with the help of Taylor Recovery Center’s team of specialists. Contact us online to learn more about our programs.
