Stop Heroin

  The answer is YES, you CAN stop using heroin. 

Not just for a day, week or month; not just while you are in detox. 

There are solutions to life long, debilitating addiction.

Once and for all, I will answer the question:

 The majority of heroin addiction rehabilitation programs in the United States utilize the 12 steps derived from the Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous programs as their foundation.

 The 12 step philosophy was combined with inpatient treatment in a hospital setting for a period of 28 days (more recently, as few as 3 to 10 days). Addicts would attend AA or NA meetings while receiving group therapy and some medical stabilization/detoxification program.

 Unfortunately, this model proved to be less than successful and the insurance industry has become unwilling to pay for extended stays. The current trend is to admit someone with a heroin problem to a hospital just long enough to get them through the worst of the physical withdrawal and then to send them to outpatient counseling. This method of treating heroin addiction is the most widely used and also the least successful. 

 I know this is true because I have tried these methods and THEY DO NOT WORK. 

 The steps are great for one trying to work an established recovery program (once they are clean, can think straight and are at a point where they NEED that kind of guidance).

 However, an active addict has little interest in taking on the responsibilities and participating in the lifestyle involved with a "Step-life".

 Long-term drug addiction treatment programs are almost always more successful in answering the question of "How do I stop using heroin?". By "Long-Term", I mean 2 month to a year or more in length.

 Many of these (especially the private rehabs) are very, very expensive and most insurance companies will balk when presented with the idea of a year long treatment.  Fortunately for the non-independently wealthy addict, many faith-based programs are much more affordable.  This is made possible with donations from the faith community and governmental non-profit subsidies.

 These programs utilize unique therapeutic training drills and instructional courses which address the underlying cause of addiction in an intensive manner and from many different angles.

 The result is a person who has dealt with the sense of hopelessness which, as it turns out, causes a person to start using heroin in the first place. This individual, in most cases, no longer feels the need to use heroin or any other drugs. 

 Successful programs such as Teen Challenge use this method.

 Heroin addicts know all about withdraw.  It is the driving force behind almost all continued, daily heroin usage.

 Once an addict has made the decision to quit, they need to really understand that the first 2 weeks will be bad, very bad.  I suggest one of those short term medical detox program which we spoke of in the first paragraph of this page.  It will get you through the worst of the withdraw. 

 It is important that you know some of the withdrawal symptoms you can expect.

 There are three phases of heroin withdrawal:

• The first phase is acute heroin withdrawal, in which the heroin addict experiences the withdrawal syndrome. This phase peaks after about three days and ends after about five days (it can last up to ten days without medical assistance).
• The second phase occurs over the next two weeks. During this period, the body re-learns the process of making the endorphins which the body has been substituting with heroin.
• The third phase can take anywhere from a week to a couple of months. During this phase, the body stabilizes its endorphin production.

Primary Symptoms

 It is only after the completion of phase three that the former addict really feels good. However, it is the first phase that is the hardest to get through because the pain is so intense. Sleeping or awake, the drug will call your name during this time.

The primary symptoms of the first phase are as follows:

• Abdominal Cramps
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Some or All Secondary Symptoms

The list of secondary symptoms is seemingly endless. The following list contains the most commonly experienced symptoms:

• "Goose Flesh"
• Alternating sweating and chills
• Anxiety
• Dehydration
• Dilated pupils
• Fever
• Gagging
• General body aches
• Hot flashes
• Hyperactivity
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Irritability
• Leg cramps
• Nervousness
• Perspiration
• Restlessness
• Watery eyes
• Weight loss

1. Go to and make it through a short term DETOX program
2. Go directly from detox to prearranged long-term treatment! No stops on the way!!
3. Realize that it is absolutely necessary to change your lifestyle. What you did and thought before and during your addiction was what got you into your mess, so don't hold on to it.  Be open to change and changes!
4. Start thinking about (and seeking) the "Spiritual Awakening" mentioned in the Steps
5. Do not go out with or associate with the same heroin using people. THEY ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS! Even if you think they are, they aren't!
6. Do not go to the same heroin using places
7. Find new activities to occupy your time now that you are not using heroin
8. Develop newfriendships with non-using people
9. Make plans for your free time so you are not bored and thinking about using heroin
10. Determine what you consider risky situations/feelings/thoughts that could cause you to use again (for example: "one last time", or feeling lonely, or having a lot of money and the opportunity to buy some heroin). Try to find alternatives for all these situations.
11. Think of what you can do when you feel the need to use. Try to list as many alternatives as possible, for example, take a shower, be social, exercise, go to church, a meeting or call a friend. The bottom line is finding a distraction and purpose for your life.
12. Look below at the "Treatment Programs" paragraph.  A long term, structured and stable environment is crucial for a successful recovery from heroin addiction.
13. Developing a generally healthy lifestyle can help you stop using heroin.

• Regular exercise (at least 30 minutes three times a week), regular & nutritious meals, and at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night.
• A support system of people you can talk to comfortably.  Ask for help at home or work when the load is too great to handle.
• Seek spiritual advise and pray. Even 12 Step programs understand and advocate the idea of a "higher power".  Once we realize how much of a mess ours lives had become when we were the captain and commander of our destiny, we can see that maybe there can be some peace in giving up a little control.
• Find ways to reduce stress that work well for you, such as participating in recreational activities and hobbies, listening to music, going to church, and doing relaxation and deep breathing exercises.
• Develop and maintain a positive attitude.
• Believe and have Faith that things will work out. 
• The power of the mind, positive thinking, gratefulness and faith are extreme!         
  

 There are options when searching for a heroin addiction recovery program.

 Many opiate find themselves entering Methadone programs to treat their addiction. This ends up being only band aid over the larger problem that the individual still has: drug addiction.

 The ideal situation for an individual with the desire to end their heroin addiction is to attend a long term heroin addiction program. There they will find that they can safely withdrawal from heroin and learn to live without drugs.

 If the individual chooses to attend an inpatient long term program they will be removed from their former using environment for a significant amount of time. This allows them to temporarily seclude themselves and learn to live life with out the use of heroin to solve their problems. Any good program will not only remove the drugs from the equation, but it will also provide you with the proper tools to equip you to live life without drugs.

 Long-term heroin addiction recovery programs are preferable due to the severity of heroin addiction. Many addicts that attempt to end their addiction through outpatient treatment find that they are using again in a short period of time. This is because they are still living and seeing the same people everyday. Temptation easily gets the best of them and they are not able to be strong enough to remain sober.

 Every long-term heroin addiction recovery program is different. When looking for a quality program it is important to understand that particular programs philosophies and treatment methods.

 Remember that you are looking for a new way to live, not a way to fix or patch up your old way of life! You'll be putting on a new armor and learning how to use the sword to defeat heroin once and for all while you are in the program. 

 Be teachable and don't forget that your best thinking is what got you to the point of needing long-term treatment in the first place! Once you accept this, the cards will all start to fall into place!