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What to expect in a heroin treatment program

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Created by Tim Francis, SUD and Mental Health Content Specialist

Updated

You do not have to know exactly what kind of help you need when you contact the Denver team.

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Original article

When exploring this topic, you may encounter five broad phases: evaluation, stabilization, treatment planning, active care, and continuing support. Learning about heroin addiction treatment for women and the physical effects of heroin addiction can make these phases easier to understand.

Almost one million Americans use the opioid drug heroin. Well over two-thirds of these people are addicted or otherwise suffer serious harm. A heroin addiction treatment program can help you recover from chronic abuse of this drug. But what should you expect in a heroin treatment program? Not all treatment facilities are the same. However, as a rule, well-designed heroin treatment programs follow a sequence of actions to support your return to sobriety.

At Women’s Recovery, we understand the struggles of heroin addiction and can help you navigate this topic. Reach out to a professional at 833.754.0554 today.

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Detox for Withdrawal in a Heroin Treatment Program

If you’re addicted to heroin, you are physically dependent on the drug. And if you’re physically dependent, you are susceptible to opioid withdrawal when your heroin use ends. The symptoms of this withdrawal can vary in intensity from mild to severe. Severe symptoms can leave you in extreme discomfort. However, even mild symptoms may be too much for you to easily tolerate.

This is why supervised heroin detox is so vital. You go through detox at the start of your recovery. The process has three interconnected goals:

  • Evaluating your condition for health and safety purposes
  • Keeping you stable as your complete heroin withdrawal
  • Preparing you for the next steps in your lasting addiction recovery

A thorough evaluation provides the information needed to guide your treatment. Stabilization efforts include medication and general supportive care. Detox medication options help lessen the impact of your withdrawal symptoms. They do so by serving as temporary substitutes for heroin. By preparing you for follow-up treatment in treatment, detox helps you keep your recovery going strong.

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Primary treatment for Heroin Addiction

treatment for heroin addiction is the natural extension of heroin detox. Why? Detox leaves you in an initial drug-free state. Primary treatment helps you stay drug-free, both short-term and in the future.

Medication and psychotherapy are equally important to your progress in treatment. The medication you receive will help you steer clear of a heroin relapse. This is crucial since powerful cravings for the drug may still affect you. The standard option for relapse prevention is the anti-opioid naltrexone. A form of naltrexone called Vivitrol is FDA-approved for opioid treatment.

During treatment, you may receive one or more forms of psychotherapy. Therapy options known to support recovery from heroin addiction include:

  • Contingency management
  • Community reinforcement
  • 12-step facilitation

You may also benefit from family therapy. Different therapies are used together because each option helps you in its own particular way.

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Additional Options for Heroin Abuse Treatment and Addiction Treatment

Unless you get help for these problems, your progress in addiction treatment may be stalled. For this reason, your heroin treatment plan may include options such as trauma treatment or nutrient therapy. It may also include dual diagnosis treatment for any additional mental health concerns.

Seek Help From Women’s Recovery’s Gender-Specific Heroin treatment Program

Have any more questions about what to expect in heroin treatment? Contact the professionals at Women’s Recovery. We’ll provide you with a detailed breakdown of how the process works.

You can also turn to Women’s Recovery for top-quality heroin addiction treatment. We offer the targeted care needed to maximize your recovery efforts. That includes treatment options oriented explicitly to women’s most pressing concerns. To learn more about our gender-specific approach, call us today at 833.754.0554. We’re also available through our online form.

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Common questions

Explore articles on mental health and substance use and substance use care that sees the whole woman for related guidance. Call admissions when you want to discuss your own situation.

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01 How can heroin treatment help me?

Heroin is an opioid, and repeated use can make stopping feel extremely difficult. Effective care can address withdrawal, cravings, continued use despite harm, and the circumstances surrounding use. Treatment is not a punishment or a test of willpower. It is structured support shaped around your health and needs.

02 Are opioid dependence and heroin addiction the same thing?

No. Physical dependence means your body has adapted to an opioid and may react when it is stopped. Addiction involves serious difficulty controlling use despite harmful consequences. They can occur together, but they are not identical. A thoughtful evaluation helps determine what kind of care fits your situation.

03 Is medication sometimes part of heroin treatment?

Medication can be an important part of opioid use disorder treatment, and evidence shows that these medications are effective and save lives. Whether medication belongs in your care is an individual clinical decision. A qualified prescriber should guide medication choices and any changes rather than asking you to manage them alone.

04 What if I am not sure I am ready for treatment?

It is understandable to feel uncertain, especially if previous attempts to stop have been painful or discouraging. You do not need perfect confidence before exploring care. A first conversation can simply help you understand possible treatment settings, what support may involve, and whether you want to take another step.

05 How can I start a conversation with Women’s Recovery?

You can call Women’s Recovery at 833.754.0554 for a conversation about what is concerning you and what you hope could change. Women’s Recovery is located at 3801 E Florida Ave, Ste 650, Denver, CO 80210. You can decide what feels right after receiving clear information.

Evidence behind this page

Supporting health information

Read how we select health information sources and apply the Women’s Recovery editorial policy. These references provide general education and context; they do not establish an individual diagnosis, service, or treatment recommendation.

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