Heroin Rehab

Heroin Rehab

Heroin was one of the leading drugs in the 1960s and 1970s, but it has not disappeared from today’s drug scene. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported in 2003 that over three million Americans have tried heroin. Frighteningly enough, about 20 percent of teens also admit that heroin is very easy or fairly easy for them to obtain.  Use of heroin may not be as widespread as other drugs per the statistics, but considering heroin addiction can occur after only one use, it is a drug that is highly dangerous.

Rehab is the only way to treat heroin addiction due to the complexity of the dependency.

Which Rehab Options Treat Heroin Addiction?

Heroin rehab can take place in both inpatient or outpatient treatment, but one option seems to work more effectively.  Inpatient treatment is recommended since the drug is so highly addictive and stopping use leads to severe withdrawal symptoms. In a private inpatient rehab center, detox and medical supervision are available to help addicts get through the withdrawal symptoms without relapsing.

Outpatient treatment is a more suitable aftercare option for heroin addicts, rather than the primary recovery tool. It is believed that heroin addicts truly reach a breakthrough in their recovery, so a 30-day program may not be sufficient.  Relapse rates are estimated to be as high as 90 percent with heroin addiction, so it is appropriate that addicts seek appropriate treatment in order to have the best chance at success.

Can Alternative Rehab Centers Treat Heroin Addiction?

There are addicts who would prefer to attend alternative treatment centers – holistic treatment centers, for example. However, the safety of this type of treatment must be considered for each type of addict. A heroin addict may require more intensive care than what is offered with holistic treatment. Holistic rehab centers typically use natural methods to treat drug addiction, not traditional medication.

With the severity of withdrawal symptoms experienced by heroin addicts, prescription medicine can be beneficial in recovery. Proper medical monitoring is also required. There are several heroin rehab centers that offer a blend of both traditional and holistic approaches to treatment – this may be the best option for a heroin addict interested in holistic treatment.

Finding a Heroin Rehab Program

Heroin rehab programs can offer extensive benefits to those who find the right program. While holistic treatment may not be the right option, there are a number of questions that addicts can ask when they’re exploring their options. These include:

• What is your success rate for treatment of heroin addiction?
• Is there medical support available 24/7?
• Is there psychiatric care available for individuals suffering from mental health issues during detox?
• Will other individuals with heroin addiction be enrolled in the program at the same time?
• Is family counseling offered?
• Do the staff members only have textbook-understanding of heroin addiction? Or are there also recovering addicts available to provide support?

Options for After Heroin Rehab

An addiction to heroin doesn’t just disappear when treatment ends, even if the addict is no longer physically using the drug. It is necessary that addicts continue to get ongoing support and treatment after they leave. Having a h2 support network is the most important thing to have in place following heroin rehab. Family and friends can learn to fill this supportive role, but speaking to a counselor regularly is also a necessity to continue with recovery after heroin rehab.