Heroin

:For a female hero, see Heroine

Withdrawal symptoms

The withdrawal syndrome from heroin (or any other short-acting opioid) can begin within 12 hours of discontinuation of sustained use of the drug: sweating, malaise, anxiety, depression, emesis, persistent and intense penile erection in males (priapism), general feeling of heaviness, cramp-like pains in the limbs, yawning and lachrymation, sleep difficulties, cold sweats, chills, severe muscle and bone aches not precipitated by any physical trauma, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, gooseflesh (hence, the term "cold turkey"), cramps, and fever occur. Many addicts also complain of a painful condition, the so-called "itchy blood", which often results in compulsive scratching that causes bruises and sometimes ruptures the skin leaving scabs. Abrupt termination of heroin use causes muscle spasms in the legs of the user (restless leg syndrome), hence the term "kicking the habit". However, it must be noted that each person's symptoms can be unique. Users seeking to take the "cold turkey" (without any preparation or accompaniments) approach are generally more likely to experience the negative effects of withdrawal in a more pronounced manner.

Related Topics:
Drug - Sweating - Malais - Anxiety - Depression - Emesis - Priapism - Lachrymation - Nausea - Vomiting - Diarrhea - Cold turkey - Cramps - Fever - Restless leg syndrome - Kicking the habit

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Two general approaches are available to ease opioid withdrawal. The first is to substitute a longer-acting opioid such as methadone or buprenorphine for heroin or another short-acting opioid and then slowly taper the dose. The other approach, which can be used alone or in combination, is to relieve withdrawal symptoms with non-opioid medications.

Related Topics:
Methadone - Buprenorphine

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In the second approach, benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) ease the often extreme anxiety of opioid withdrawal. The most common benzodiazepine employed as part of the detox protocol in these situations is oxazepam (Serax). However, it is important to note that benzodiazepines are highly addictive, and many opiate addicts also abuse other Central Nervous System Depressants including benzodiazepines and barbituates. Also, though unpleasant, opiate withdrawal seldom has potential to become fatal, whereas complications related to withdrawal from benzodiazepines, barbiturates and alcohol (such as seizures, cardiac arrest, and delirium tremens) can prove hazardous and potentially fatal. Many symptoms of opioid withdrawal are due to rebound hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, and this can be effectively suppressed with clonidine (Catapres), a centrally-acting alpha-2 agonist primarily used to treat hypertension. Many addicts who have been through these programs say that the agony of withdrawal is very much attenuated.

Related Topics:
Benzodiazepines - Diazepam - Oxazepam - Serax - Central Nervous System Depressants - Benzodiazepines - Barbituates - Barbiturates - Alcohol - Seizures - Cardiac arrest - Delirium tremens - Sympathetic nervous system - Clonidine - Catapres - Agonist - Hypertension

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For those who repeatedly fail attempts at complete detoxification and relapse to heroin use, maintenance with regular doses of methadone is recommended. The newer alternative to methadone maintenance employs use of the drug buprenorphine.

Related Topics:
Relapse - Methadone - Buprenorphine

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