Charleston Heroin Drug Detox and Rehab Treatment Centers

What are the long-term effects of heroin abuse in Charleston, WV?

Prolonged use of heroin has devastating physical effects. Chronic users may develop liver disease, collapsed veins, abscesses and infections. They may experience pulmonary diseases such as pneumonia. Because heroin sold on the street is not pure, it may contain additives that can clog vessels in the brain, lungs, kidneys or liver. If this complication does not result in death, it can cause infection. It destroys the addict both physically and emotionally if used for a long enough period of time. Call us to find out how we can find you a heroin rehabilitation center that will keep things from going this far.

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.

Types of Rehab for Heroin Addiction in Charleston, WV

There are three main heroin treatment options available: inpatient, outpatient or residential treatment.

Inpatient rehab is in a facility where people live and undergo heroin detox and withdrawal. Medical providers provide medical and therapy services around the clock. The patient's time is structured to support the healing process.

Outpatient treatment requires a high level of trust between the patient and the doctor. Most doctors will only agree to outpatient treatment if they know the patient well.

Residential rehab blends inpatient and outpatient heroin treatment programs. For this type of treatment, patients live in a facility with access to medical and psychiatric care. However, people can leave and attend jobs, school, or fulfill their obligations. Residential treatment allows people to remove negative influences in their life that encourage drug and alcohol abuse while letting them continue to fulfill their roles.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms begin between 4 and 24 hours after the last dose of heroin. The severity and duration of withdrawal may depend on how long the individual used heroin, as well as the amount and method of heroin use.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms are described as a severe case of the flu, and typically include:

• Mood changes, like agitation and anxiety;
• Increased body secretions (runny nose, teary eyes, and sweaty skin);
• Stomach problems (nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea, and loss of appetite);
• Muscle problems (aches, twitching, shivering);
• Sneezing;
• Goosebumps;
• Yawning

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.

How Long is Heroin Rehab in Charleston, WV?

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.

Aftercare and Ongoing Support in Charleston, WV

Because every recovery process is as different as the person recovering, heroin rehab centers will carefully plan for ongoing care once the initial treatment duration has ended. To do so, many treatment programs will offer their own aftercare programs or will go to great lengths to plan for or arrange extended treatment or aftercare for all treatment alumni.

People in recovery tend to do best when they have a plan in place for when they check out. During the treatment process, trained counselors will work with you to develop an aftercare plan, which can include outpatient treatment, private therapy, 12-step meetings, long-term residential treatment, and sober-living housing.

Why You Should Enter a Residential Treatment Center in Charleston, WV?

The risk of heroin relapse is high, particularly during the early part of the recovery process. People can amend their medications and put their health at risk, or they can run into dealers and street hawkers with heroin to sell. Temptation can be around every single corner when people keep living at home, but much of that disappears in a residential program. Here, no drugs are allowed. It's a clean environment, filled with people who want to get better and staffers who want to help people to do just that.