The risk of addiction is there as soon as someone experiments with heroin. Because of how this opiate operates in the brain, the progression from use to tolerance to dependence and addiction can happen very quickly. The sooner people who are concerned about heroin use disorder begin heroin treatment, the better.
If you are concerned about your heroin use or the possibility that someone you care about is becoming addicted, don’t wait to reach out to learn more. At Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge (PAATC), we are ready to answer questions, provide information about different heroin treatment options, and offer guidance and reassurance as you contemplate the next steps. You can call us at 888.546.2579 or connect with us by completing our online form.
Heroin Addiction and The Brain
One of the reasons we recommend professional heroin treatment programs is how heroin interacts with and changes brain chemistry. This change makes withdrawal and the early weeks and months of recovery challenging when attempted on your own.
Once you become tolerant of the drug, you require more and more to approximate the same high. Normally, your brain produces neurotransmitters like dopamine and hormones like endorphins. That production cycle is interrupted by regular heroin use. Your body now depends on the drug to feel any pleasure at all. At this point, you are addicted, feel intense cravings between doses, and go into withdrawal if the drug is withheld. If any of the following apply to you or someone you know, addiction to heroin is likely:
- Compulsive drug-seeking
- Heroin use as the focal point of each day
- Stealing and lying to acquire heroin
- Loss of home, job, relationships
- Failure to meet responsibilities
What Is Heroin Detox?
The first step on the road to recovery is withdrawal. Heroin withdrawal can be challenging and painful. Medically supervised detox is the only safe way to rid yourself of all the heroin in your system. Under the care of a physician and other medical staff, you will:
- Receive medication to mitigate the worst symptoms
- Be under observation to catch underlying mental or physical disorders that emerge
- Reside in a safe space with no access to drugs so you cannot relapse
- Have the best chance at a successful long-term recovery outcome
At PAATC, we recommend inpatient detox regardless of whether the rest of your rehab will also be residential.
Benefits of an Inpatient Heroin Treatment Program
After detox is complete, inpatient rehab is probably the most common route for those with heroin addiction. Short-term residential heroin treatment options also help you get a firm foundation before stepping down into an outpatient heroin treatment program.
When you enroll in the residential program at PAATC, you are secure in a place of serenity and sobriety. There are countless options for treatment, as well as a built-in support network. The staff and other residential clients understand what you are going through. This is a favorable environment in which to pursue your budding sobriety and begin treatment.
In addition to ensuring that you receive nutritious meals and are secure in a trigger-free environment in which you can heal, the inpatient addiction treatment program can offer:
- Individual therapy with a licensed practitioner
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Group therapy
- Support groups, including 12-step offerings
- Faith-based rehab treatment
Outpatient Heroin Treatment To Suit Your Needs
Although inpatient treatment is usually best for heroin addiction, it is not always possible for various reasons. In that case, an intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a great alternative. Because it does not require residency, it offers some flexibility while still providing a high level of care. Unlike other outpatient programs, an IOP lasts longer, which results in improved outcomes for recovery from heroin addiction.
PAATC’s IOP allows you to:
- Access the same treatments and therapies offered in residential treatment (listed above)
- Live at home
- Maintain some of your responsibilities to work, school, and family
- Build your at-home support group while benefiting from the support group in rehab
Get Started with Heroin Treatment at PAATC Today
To learn your heroin treatment options at PAATC, reach out to speak to one of our staff. Our evidence-based care is provided by consummate professionals who have experience and compassion in equal measure.
Don’t hesitate. Today is the best day to start your recovery journey. Fill out our online form to receive a call-back, or simply pick up the phone and dial 888.546.2579.
