Are you or a loved one struggling with heroin addiction? Are you wondering how long does heroin stay in your system? If so, Pacific Sands Recovery can help. We are a team of experienced professionals dedicated to providing quality treatment and support for individuals suffering from heroin addiction. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment where those addicted to this powerful opiate can get the help they need to overcome their substance use disorder and achieve lasting sobriety.
About Heroin
Heroin is an opioid drug synthesized from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of the opium poppy plant. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), it is typically sold as a white or brownish powder that is “cut” with other drugs or substances such as sugars, starch, and powdered milk. Heroin can also be found in a black sticky form known as “black tar heroin.”
Heroin is one of the most dangerous drugs on the market and causes serious health issues, including addiction and death. The drug affects users in various ways, from physical dependence to altered brain chemistry. People who use heroin may experience drowsiness, nausea, confusion, respiratory problems, constricted pupils, mood swings, and more.
Long-term use leads to serious health risks such as organ damage, seizures, coma, and even death. In addition to the physical risks associated with heroin use, there are also psychological risks that should not be overlooked. Heavy users often become isolated from society and experience depression and paranoia due to the drug’s effects on brain chemistry.
Therefore, it is essential for anyone who has been using heroin to seek medical help and counseling. Also, it is important to engage in support groups or other forms of treatment. With proper care and support, individuals can overcome addiction and reclaim their lives.
How Long Does Heroin Stay in Your System?
How long does heroin stay in your system? The answer depends on various factors, including the user’s age, weight, metabolism, overall health status, and history of drug use. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 24 hours to several days for heroin to leave the body after last use.
In addition to testing the levels of heroin in blood and urine, individuals may be tested for metabolites and other common opioids and such as morphine. This method can indicate heroin use over a longer period. Additionally, the length of time that heroin remains detectable in hair also varies depending on its frequency of use. Heroin and its metabolites may be detectable for up to ninety days after the last use.
However, it’s important to note that drug testing methodologies are constantly evolving and advancing. So, there is always a possibility of more accurate detection. Therefore, it is best to speak with a healthcare professional or addiction specialist if you have any questions about how long heroin stays in your system.
Heroin Drug Testing
Standard opioid drug screening tests can detect heroin for around one to four days. However, more modern and advanced drug testing can detect traces of heroin and its metabolites longer.
Heroin can generally be detected by:
- Blood tests: Up to 6 hours
- Urine tests: Up to 3 or 4 days
- Saliva tests: Up to 24 hours
- Hair follicle tests: Up to 90 days
What Effect Does Heroin Have on the Body?
Heroin is an opioid drug that has many devastating effects on the body. It is a highly addictive substance that can cause physical and psychological dependence in users. Thereby, leading them to compulsively seek out more of the drug despite the negative consequences it causes. Heroin has many devastating effects on the body with the most serious being overdose and death.
When heroin enters the body, it binds to opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system. Consequently, resulting in a powerful release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure. This flood of dopamine causes users to experience an intense rush or euphoria, which motivates them to use more heroin to recreate that same feeling.
Short-term effects of heroin include:
- Euphoria
- Impaired judgment
- A dry mouth
- Warm, flushed skin
- Arms and legs that feel heavy
- Constipation
- Upset stomach and vomiting
- Itching
- A fuzzy brain
- Switching in and out of drowsiness
Long-term heroin use disorder can lead to:
- Collapsed veins
- Insomnia
- Memory problems
- Heart disease
- Skin infections like abscesses and cellulitis
- Higher chance of getting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C
- Liver and kidney disease
- Mental disorders
- Lung diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis
- Menstrual problems and miscarriage
Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal
Heroin withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity and duration, depending on the level of heroin use. The most common symptoms include:
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle aches and pains
- Cold sweats, fever, and chills
- Diarrhea
- Irritability
- Depression
- Intense cravings for more heroin
In more severe cases of heroin withdrawal or from complications, individuals may experience:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Muscle spasms
- Hallucinations
- Delirium tremens (DTs)
- Seizures
- Death
The intensity of the withdrawal symptoms can begin within 8-12 hours of the last dose of heroin and peak within 48-72 hours. Depending on the individual’s medical history and level of opioid dependence the onset of withdrawal symptoms may be delayed up to 7 days after the last dose is taken. Symptoms typically resolve after a week but some individuals will have a prolonged course lasting 2-3 weeks or longer.
Heroin Addiction Treatment
Heroin addiction is a serious problem that most often requires professional help to overcome. Treatment for this condition typically involves a combination of medication, counseling, and other forms of therapy to help the user better understand their addiction and learn how to cope with cravings. It is also important for individuals in recovery to have access to support from family and friends, as well as appropriate aftercare services.
Detoxification from heroin is best done under medical supervision to minimize any potential health risks posed by severe opioid withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox typically involves tapering off doses over time. Also, clients are stabilized with medications such as methadone or buprenorphine to help ease cravings and reduce other withdrawal effects.
In addition to providing medications, medical detox includes individual counseling and other forms of support to help clients address the underlying issues that led to opioid dependence. Although detox from heroin is an important step in recovery, it is not enough on its own. To achieve long-term success in abstaining from heroin use, clients need to engage in ongoing treatment and develop healthy coping strategies for managing stressors or triggers that may lead to relapse.
Heroin addiction can be overcome. Treatment is a multi-step process. It starts with finding a quality drug rehabilitation program that offers evidence-based therapies and personalized treatment plans that provide both physical and emotional support. Comprehensive individual treatment programs typically include:
- Detox
- Medication-assisted therapy (MAT)
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Family Counseling
- Aftercare plan
Heroin Rehab in Orange County, California
At Pacific Sands Recovery, we understand recovering from heroin addiction is not easy. But, with our comprehensive programs, we strive to make it as manageable as possible. With personalized care plans tailored for each individual, our experienced team of professionals collaborates to ensure maximum success on your journey toward recovery.
Contact us today to learn more about our heroin rehab in Orange County, California.
