Heroin addiction: seek assistance
Heroin – Free Rehab. If you find yourself struggling with heroin addiction and wish to quit, consider reaching out to a GP or your local drug treatment service for support. As an individual facing drug addiction, you have the right to receive the same confidential NHS care as anyone else dealing with a health issue. Even if you’re not ready to quit, you can still access help to stay safe and maintain your health.
How to obtain treatment for heroin – Heroin – Free Rehab
Heroin is classified as an opiate drug (also referred to as an opioid). Other examples of opioids include codeine, opium, and morphine. If you require treatment for heroin addiction or another opioid, you can either consult a GP or get in touch with your local drug treatment service. You can find drug and alcohol support in your area by visiting the Adus Healthcare website.
During your initial appointment, the doctor or drug worker will ask you several questions, including:
- the amount of heroin you consume
- whether you are using any other substances or alcohol
- your physical and mental health status
- your personal situation – for instance, your living arrangements and who you reside with
- if you have previously undergone drug treatment
They will also request a urine sample, which will be analysed to verify your heroin use.
You will be assigned a key worker who will assist you in creating a personalised treatment plan. You will meet with them regularly throughout your recovery process.
Maintenance or detoxification (detox) – Heroin – Free Rehab
Your key worker will guide you in choosing between two different methods for stopping heroin – maintenance therapy or detox:
- maintenance therapy – involves transitioning from heroin to a substitute, such as methadone or buprenorphine, and then remaining on a consistent dose of the substitute
- detox – involves switching from heroin to a substitute before gradually tapering off the substitute so that you are no longer using either.
Both treatment options aim to help you gradually withdraw from heroin and alleviate withdrawal symptoms.If there are no complications, you will typically be able to stay at home while you transition to maintenance therapy or undergo detox. Detoxing from heroin while living at home may take up to 12 weeks. For help and advice call 07811 606 606.
You can transition from maintenance therapy to detox whenever you choose.
Your daily intake of methadone or buprenorphine will be monitored by a drug worker or pharmacist for a minimum of the first 3 months. If you are also struggling with alcohol or other substances, like benzodiazepines, you will receive assistance in quitting those as well.
Important: Overdose risk
Detox reduces your tolerance to heroin. Consequently, your chances of overdosing increase if you use heroin or other drugs, including benzodiazepines, after detoxification.
Inpatient detox and free rehab
Typically, detox will only be provided as an inpatient in a hospital or residential rehab if:
- you require medical assistance for other physical or mental health issues
- you need to detox from alcohol or another substance, such as benzodiazepines, in addition to heroin
- detoxing at home (community detox) has previously been unsuccessful for you
- Other support for opiate addiction
- You may be offered various forms of help and support while you are withdrawing from heroin, including:
talking therapies – you might be provided with a talking therapy like CBT if you require assistance with anxiety or depression during your detox support groups – your key worker will provide you with information about local self-help groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery support for family and carers – your key worker can arrange support for those close to you who are impacted by your addiction (see advice for families of drug users)
- help to maintain your health – this could range from guidance on healthy eating to screenings for infections like HIV
- incentives – you may receive rewards, such as vouchers or doses of methadone to take at home, for adhering to your treatment and remaining drug-free
What happens after detox?
Following detox, your key worker will continue to support you for at least 6 months to assist you in staying off heroin. This support may encompass help with matters such as housing or re-entering work or education. For help and advice, Call 07811 606 606.