Heroin Addiction: Can You Die From Withdrawal?
Are you addicted to heroin? If you have fears about quitting because of this intriguing question, “Can you die from withdrawal?” Here are some things you need to know about heroin abuse and addiction and the side effects that could lead to the death of a heroin user.
Heroin is a highly addictive, fast-acting illegal drug that is the most abused opiate in the United States. Heroin has one of the most serious addiction rates of all illegal drugs. Heroin addicts have no way of knowing the actual strength of heroin, nor do they know the true content of the drug. For this reason, they are at increased risk of overdose or death.
What is heroin withdrawal?
Heroin withdrawal occurs when the user decides to abruptly reduce or stop using this drug. Heroin withdrawal symptoms can differ from user to user and it is crucial that a medical professional is there to oversee the withdrawal process. The treating physician may also suggest undergoing therapy treatment after medical heroin detoxification to ensure that the recovering addict is fully supported in the mental aspect of this type of drug addiction problem.
What are heroin withdrawal symptoms?
Anyone suffering from heroin addiction will have to deal with unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. By the time the heroin user stops taking this drug, withdrawal symptoms may become visible within 6 to 24 hours of last use. The severity of withdrawal symptoms varies and depends on the amount of heroin consumed by the user, the duration of use, and other factors, such as mixing it with other drugs or substances such as alcohol.
The following are some of the expected withdrawal symptoms that can affect anyone with a case of heroin abuse or addiction:
restless feeling
Chills or cold sweats
Constipation
frequent yawning
feeling feverish
Weakness
Nausea
body cramps
painful erection of the penis
excessive sweating
crying eyes
vomiting
Other heroin users may experience latent withdrawal symptoms and have the following complications:
belly bread
Diarrhea
diluted pupils
Depression
sleep disturbance
Can you die from withdrawal?
Heroin withdrawal will not be the cause of your death, but serious complications can be life-threatening and may require immediate emergency assistance. Here are some of the serious side effects of heroin withdrawal:
seizures
Respiratory problems
A seizure could lead to respiratory failure and be the cause of death for a heroin user. This is why it is vital that anyone diagnosed with heroin addiction seek professional help when planning to quit heroin. With the experience of a medical professional, the heroin user has a higher percentage of coping with the excruciating and more painful withdrawal symptoms.
How to achieve a safe recovery from heroin addiction?
Heroin addiction is a complex case of addiction problem due to the effect of the drug on the user, both in the body and in the mind. If you want to achieve a safe recovery from heroin addiction, it is recommended that you leave heroin withdrawal treatment in the care of a doctor, rehabilitation specialist and psychiatrist. These people can really ensure you have a safe recovery journey because they are fully equipped with the knowledge, tools, and skills to help you finish every phase of the rehab treatment program, from medical detoxification, therapies, and other programs designed to treat addiction as well as underlying causes of this addiction problem as the triggers. Heroin addicts who choose to undergo a full rehab treatment that combines a medical approach with counseling and therapies are likely to recover from their addiction and live sober lives.
Intense drug cravings