Heroin is not an easy drug to quit. People addicted to this illicit drug compulsively seek more of it. They do this in the face of legal, social and health problems. Heroin withdrawal carries serious physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Quitting heroin cold turkey is never a good idea. Find a heroin detox center that will help you get clean, stay clean, and start recovering.
Withdrawal Symptoms if You Quit Heroin Cold Turkey
It is neither healthy nor effective to stop using heroin without professional aid. While quitting cold turkey is rarely life-threatening, it can come with painful withdrawal symptoms. Each one has an adverse effect on your mental and physical health. Some symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Vomiting
- Muscle aches
Withdrawal symptoms can start within 12 hours after the last use of heroin. These symptoms can continue for up to 10 days. Additionally, this time can last longer if you used heroin for a long time.
Cravings for heroin are equally strong. Trying to deal with the effects of withdrawals alone makes things worse. It may even drive you back the drug that you want to quit.
Trying to Quit Heroin Cold Turkey is Dangerous
Wanting to quit heroin is a courageous decision. Quitting this drug away from a heroin detox center poses dangers to your personal safety. The physical side of withdrawal is often too much without medical parameters.
The emotional and psychological instabilities that come with depriving the body of heroin is challenging. At this time, you may experience depression and anxiety. Emotional instability can become very strong. Consequently, you may be vulnerable to self-destructive behaviors such as self-harm and suicide.
Having professional support does not stop these things from occurring. Medication assisted treatment and other treatment options can prevent a bad situation from turning worse.
Why You Should Not Quit Heroin Cold Turkey
Getting over the addictive nature of drugs is incredibly difficult. Just the psychological withdrawal symptoms alone are enough to spiral you into relapse. Under these conditions, the desire for depression and anxiety to go away becomes greater than the desire to quit.
This is especially true when you are not receiving emotional support throughout the process. Staff members at a treatment facility can help with these difficult experiences. They have the knowledge and skill to help you avoid relapsing.
Asking yourself, “Can I quit heroin cold turkey” is an indication that you recognize the harm addiction is causing. You know that change is necessary. You just do not know that getting help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength.
Quitting heroin cold turkey leaves you at risk for many troubling issues. Thus, seeking professional addiction therapy services will help to eliminate these issues.
Professional Help Ensures Your Safety
The answer to “can I quit heroin cold turkey” is a resounding no. It is not wise and it is not necessary. Pillars Recovery has an onsite detox program where you are carefully monitored throughout the withdrawal process. Traditional addiction treatment services combine with a holistic approach to addiction treatment so Pillars Recovery can treat your whole system.
Our heroin addiction treatment programs include:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Residential treatment programs
- Partial Hospitalization treatment programs
- Intensive Outpatient treatment programs
- Transitional living and sober living
Don’t try to quit using heroin on your own. Contact us at 866.782.0247 so we can get you into a safe healing space. Your journey of recovery begins now.
