It is not uncommon for a heroin user to develop a physical dependency to the drug. A physical dependency occurs when the body becomes accustomed to having the drug present. Without the drug, it will start going into withdrawal until the drug is reintroduced into the body. This is where it is difficult for heroin users to kick the addiction. The withdrawal symptoms from heroin are pretty intense and when a user does not have proper medical and supportive care during the withdrawal stage, it is unfortunately too common for them to use again.
When a heroin user abruptly stops using, he or she will start feeling withdrawal symptom as soon as 3 hours after the last use. Think about that for a minute. If they begin to experience withdrawal symptoms as soon as three hours after the last use you can see why a heroin user would do whatever it took for them to stay “medicated.” The symptoms that begin to occur three hours after last use can include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea and vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps (“cold turkey”), and kicking movements (“kicking the habit”). The cold flashes with goose bumps is where the term “cold turkey” was derived from and the kicking movement is where the term “kicking the habit” was derived from.
The craving for the drug increases as time past with the peak of the major withdrawal symptoms occurring between 48 and 72 hours after the last administration of heroin. It takes a good week and sometimes more for the withdrawal symptoms to subside but a user can experience lingering persistent symptoms for up to a month after the last use.
On a better note, the withdrawal of heroin is considered less dangerous than alcohol or barbiturate withdrawal. However, for a heavy heroin user in poor health, withdrawal symptoms can be occasionally fatal.
The crave for heroin can persist years after drug cessation. This is why it is so important for a user to have a strong support system. Triggers such as stress, people and places the user once associated with the use of heroin, and things associated with the drug can bring on a more severe craving.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
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