Heroin Addiction Rehabilitation Helps Those Addicted to Heroin

Out of the many illegal drugs available today, heroin is one of the most addictive. It can have a euphoric effect on the user that is habit forming. When injected, the euphoria is almost immediate. It is dangerous because there is a chance of overdosing depending on how strong it is. If someone becomes addicted, the only way to get their life back on track is to go through heroin addiction rehabilitation.

Addiction

Addicted persons who don’t get professional help will often fall ill and could die from their dependence on the drug. This is especially true with today’s heroin, which is often not cut with other substances as much as it used to be. This makes the drug stronger, increasing the chance of an overdose. If the user injects it to get a quicker high, there is the possibility of contracting hepatitis or AIDS from contaminated needles.

Detoxification

When an addict finally agrees to or is forced to go to rehab, the first step is to get them off the physical dependency, called detoxification. The detox part of rehab can be very physically strenuous. The patient can suffer from headaches, shakes, night sweats, night terrors, nightmares, nausea and more. Medicine is often prescribed to help them through this trying time.

Individualized Plans

A treatment plan is then written for the new patient. Each plan is tailor made for the individual, because their needs are not exactly the same as anyone else’s. The doctors will take several factors into consideration when making the treatment plan. Factors include age, gender and severity of the addiction. Their physical health at the time of admission is also taken into consideration. The plan can be adjusted as needs change.

Therapy

One detox is finished the next phase of rehab begins, which is therapy. Therapy helps the individual understand the process and destructive nature of addiction. Individual, group or family therapy may all be prescribed to help the patient achieve this understanding and acceptance.

Sobriety

The therapy is extremely important towards recovery. For this reason, it is often prescribed for the patient even after they leave the rehab facility. It helps them continue to deal with their illness once they return to regular life and provides a sounding board for their feelings and frustrations if necessary.

Sobriety

These heroin addiction rehab sessions are important because they help the person understand their addiction as a lifelong disease. It also equips them with the life skills necessary to continue sobriety after they leave the facility. These skills are extremely important because heroin addicts have one of the highest relapse rates of all addicts. In fact, only 30-50% of all heroin addicts will remain sober for a full year after going through a rehabilitation program.

That is why heroin addiction detox and continued therapy and a sponsor are so important after heroin rehab.