Belfast Heroin Drug Detox and Rehab Treatment Centers

How Do I Find Help for a Heroin Addiction in Belfast, NY?

Heroin rehab programs provide effective treatment and support for people addicted to heroin. Comprehensive heroin rehab is offered in a number of treatment settings, including both inpatient and outpatient. Many rehabs for heroin or other opioid drugs include a detox program at the start of treatment. Then the patient receives a combination of therapeutic interventions, such as individual therapy, group counseling, family therapy, peer support groups, and more, to help rectify drug-using behaviors and avoid relapse.

Dangers of Heroin Abuse and Addiction

Heroin addiction and abuse is the epidemic of our generation and affects people of all race, background, and class. Opiate related deaths are the leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States. The death toll per year of opiate overdoses resulting in death has recently taken the lead to vehicular collisions. Every 19 minutes someone is losing their life to this deadly drug.

Overdose and death are not the only worries for those using heroin. Injecting the drug puts users at high risks of contracting diseases through blood and bodily fluids. HIV and hepatitis C are among the common diseases we see transmitted through sharing needles.

What Does Heroin Addiction Look Like?

Heroin is a typical opioid in terms of how addictive it is, and it leads to both physical and psychological addiction. While users may be able to hide their addiction for a brief time, there are many telltale signs you can look for if you believe a friend or loved one may be in trouble and require heroin rehab.

On top of these immediate and short-term effects, long-term heroin abuse can also lead to dangerous health complications, such as heart problems, chronic pulmonary disease, blood-borne infections from needle sharing, blood clots, bacterial infections, liver disease, arthritis, and seizures. Without the help from an effective heroin treatment center, many of these health problems can be life-threatening, and addicts are always at risk of dying from an overdose.

Inpatient Rehab Facilities vs. Outpatient Addiction Clinics in Belfast, NY

When selecting a heroin treatment center, you have the option of choosing between an inpatient facility and an outpatient clinic. Individual treatment needs are naturally going to vary, and there are certain benefits (and drawbacks) to both types of treatment for heroin addiction that may inform the decision for treatment type.

Outpatient facilities can vary widely. Many outpatient rehabs provide treatment in the form of education, group therapy, individual therapy, and in some cases, access to psychiatric care or medication assisted treatment. Outpatient programs range in levels of intensity and, to some extent, the treatment plan can be tailored to each client, with the number and type of scheduled weekly groups varying based on the individual’s needs.

The time commitment can be substantial in an inpatient (residential) rehab setting, and studies suggest that a minimum of 90 days in treatment is essential for successful outcomes and long-term sobriety. Due to the tenacious nature of heroin addiction and the many facets of an individual’s life it affects, an inpatient treatment program is commonly sought.

Heroin is highly addictive, both mentally and physically. Those who attempt to quit often suffer from a withdrawal period that can be extremely uncomfortable. A benefit of many inpatient treatment programs is that they commonly include some form of medically supervised detox and around-the-clock support to keep those recovering a safe and comfortable as possible—minimizing relapse risks.

How Long is Heroin Rehab in Belfast, NY?

Rehab's length depends on each person. Rehab can last anywhere from a week to several months, but it will depend on how well the addiction responds to treatment. People with longer addictions and more severe withdrawal symptoms will likely stay longer.

Rehab Near or Away From Home in Belfast, NY

Whether you should travel or check in to a heroin rehab center that is near you is a personal choice. If there are a lot of family members and sober supports within the community, staying close may be a better choice.

Some individuals find that traveling helps them start the new path of recovery and avoid outside stressors or triggers. The most important aspect is that the individual seeking treatment feels sufficiently safe and comfortable to focus on treating the addiction.

Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Addiction

If someone is using heroin on a regular basis, you may notice many different changes in both their appearance and behavior. Their skin may be flushed. They may keep scratching "itchy" skin. They may experience vomiting, shallow breathing or even fall asleep without warning. If they are using with needles, you may notice needle marks as well, but now that so many people prefer to sniff or smoke heroin, marks (or lack thereof) are not the only thing you should be looking for. Besides those signs, you may also stumble across their equipment — rubber tubing, syringes, metal or glass pipes, or even dirty spoons.

Heroin Detox in Belfast, NY

The next step in the heroin rehab is detox from heroin. The main objective of detox is to relieve your withdrawal symptoms while your body adjusts to functioning without the drug. Detox from heroin should be completed under medical supervision.

The type of detox program will depend on the facility chosen. Some facilities choose to ease the detox process through medication-assisted treatment. Providing tapering doses of replacement medications such as Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone), buprenorphine, or methadone can reduce the symptoms of withdrawal in a safe, medically monitored setting.

Another type of detox method is abstinence-only or social detox. With this type of detox, there is no replacement drug, and the patient will simply stop using the drug, with no opioid replacement support to minimize the symptoms of withdrawal. Many find this form of detox quite challenging in cases of heroin withdrawal. More recently, medication assisted detox is becoming an increasingly common method for managing heroin dependence.