Heroin is a highly addictive and rapidly acting opiate (a drug that is derived from opium). Specifically, heroin is produced from morphine, which is a principal component of opium. Opium is a naturally occurring substance that is extracted from the seedpod of the opium poppy.

Heroin detox is a three phase process designed to rid the heroin addict from the grip of heroin addiction. The most effective heroin treatment combines a safe atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, skilled physicians, effective medications and proper nutrition. The greatest fear heroin addicts have is the fear of heroin withdrawal symptoms. This fear can keep a person in their addiction for years and years. The key to a successful heroin detox is to relieve the addict from the perceived threat of pain, nausea and insomnia. At Orange County Detox we go to great lengths assuage that fear. The fact is Orange County Detox has developed a treatment program that practically eliminates pain from the heroin detox process.

The main concepts employed within our heroin detox process are “efficacy” and “compassion.” Orange County Detox believes in a humane detox for anyone suffering from heroin addiction. The fact is within 24 hours after admission most clients are amazed that they feel so well. Our heroin addict clients usually have the quickest and easiest detox of all our clients. We use a specialized heroin detox program just for opiate addicts unlike the protocol heroin detox programs of many other detox centers. Each individual will have a different set of issues (emotional, psychological) and health concerns (age, medical history, etc...) which require individualized heroin detox programs. Simply put a 23 year old heroin IV drug user will have a different heroin detox than a 40 year old teacher addicted to prescription medications (norco, vicodin, etc…). The overall concepts, phases and goals are the same but the little nuances change for each individual.

Big H , Black Tar, Boy, Brown, Capital H, China White, Chiva, Dead on Arrival, Diesel, Dope, Eigth, Good H, H, Harry, Hell Dust, Horse, Junk, Mexican Horse, Mud Poppy, Scag, Shit, Smack, Thunder, Train, White

Heroin in its purest form is usually a white powder. Less pure forms have varied colors ranging from white to brown. "Black tar" heroin is dark brown or black and has a tar-like sticky feel to it.

Heroin can be injected in a user's veins, muscles or subcutaneously. Heroin can also be smoked on aluminum foil or diluted in water and snorted.

This particular drug has ravaged poor communities since it became accessible through the black markets. Since the ability to smoke heroin is more accessible and the stigma of needles eliminated the middle class is paying similar consequences. The college student heroin smoker is a very real problem in modern day America. According to the DEA approximately 1.2% of the population reported heroin use at least once in their lifetime.

Users who inject heroin will feel a euphoric surge or 'rush' as it is often called. Their mouths may become dry. They may begin to nod in and out and their arms and legs will feel heavy and rubbery. They may experience a diminished mental capacity and dulled emotions. The effects of heroin last three to four hours after each dose have been administered.

MThere are many health risks to using heroin. The short-term risks include fatal overdose and the high risk of infections such as HIV/AIDS. The long-term user has additional risks such as:

• Collapsed veins
• Infection of the heart lining and valves
• Abscesses
• Cellulites
• Liver Disease
• Pulmonary complications, including various types of pneumonia
• Overdose

Tolerance to heroin develops with regular use. This means it will take more heroin to produce the same level of intensity to the user. This results in physical addiction to the drug developing over time.

Heroin withdrawal can be a debilitating and painful experience. But it does not have to be. The duration of heroin withdrawal symptoms vary depending upon length of use, amount of use, type of administration and overall health. A younger person experiencing their first withdrawal will often find, after looking back, that their first heroin withdrawal would be as easy as it would ever be again. The body becomes so dependent upon heroin that safe usage of any opiate after an addiction has set in is impossible. “Once a heroin addict always a heroin addict,” is a common experience for most heroin addicts. The goal is to remain abstinent. Remain vigilant and avoid risky situations can become a life-long mantra.

Heroin withdrawal duration rarely lasts longer than a couple of weeks, but for some, especially the heroin addict of many years, heroin withdrawal can last months (Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome). The most common heroin withdrawal symptom is sleeplessness (insomnia). In fact, the fear of sleeplessness can keep many heroin addicts from asking for help. Proper nutrition, hydration and exercise can minimize the likelihood of a lengthy and debilitating heroin withdrawal. Orange County Detox now has a detox from heroin program that minimizes most heroin withdrawal symptoms. Heroin detox treatment with a skilled physician at a safe and effective treatment center can allow heroin addicts a painless heroin detox experience. Call (877) 338-6962 for more information.

Physical withdrawal from discontinuation of heroin can have a wide array of symptoms. The most common heroin withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Sleeplessness (Insomnia)
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Cold Sweats
• Sneezing
• Muscle and Bone Pain
• Goose Flesh
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Watery Eyes
• Dehydration
• Stomach Cramps
• Lethargy
• Loss of Appetite
• Slower Reflexes
• Increased Blood Pressure
• Increased Heart Rate
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Suicidal Ideations

When the drug is discontinued, the user will experience physical withdrawal. The withdrawal can begin within a few hours since it was last administered. Withdrawal symptoms include:

• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Cold flashes with goose bumps
• Kicking movements
• Muscle and bone pain

Major withdrawal symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose and usually last a couple of weeks.

Heroin abuse during pregnancy usually has adverse consequences including low birth weight, an important risk factor for a child's later development.

In addition to the effects of the drug itself, street heroin may have additives that fail to dissolve and result in clogging the blood vessels that lead to the lungs, liver, kidneys or brain. This can cause infection or even death of small patches of cells in vital organs.

Orange County Detox offers heroin addicts a way out from the clutches of addiction in a safe and effective manner. Our heroin treatment program is designed to rid a person of the compulsion to use heroin. The first step in that process is to remove the opiates from the body without putting the heroin addict in a state of despair and discomfort. We use skilled physicians and knowledgeable counselors to guide a person through heroin withdrawal so they can regain their freedom. Orange County Detox recognizes that heroin addicts fear the opiate withdrawal process.

The first part of our heroin treatment program is to ensure each heroin addict that they will overcome their addiction without physically falling apart. Our emphasis each day is on three targeted areas: Nutrition-Medication-Rest. If a heroin addict can sleep each night through the withdrawal process than success is usually a foregone conclusion. Rarely have we seen a heroin addict fail that has thoroughly followed our track.

TThe second part of our heroin treatment program is threefold.First, we schedule the initial induction and stabilize the patient. That can differ for each person depending upon; what amount of heroin they use each day and how long have they continuously used. The vast majority of heroin addicts will stabilize within 24 to 72 hours. The second phase is known as the taper or titration phase. This phase is where the physician’s skills are of the utmost importance. A proper taper will allow most heroin addicts a chance to withdraw in relative comfort. The third and final phase is known as the discontinuation or stager stage. Skilled physicians will adjust medications to a point where all medications are removed from the suboxone treatment program without the client feeling the adjustment back into freedom.

This type of heroin treatment (three on three treatment program) has proven to be the most effective treatment model available. There are other types of heroin treatment modalities but they usually mean discomfort and or a lack of effectiveness. If a heroin addict wants the very best treatment program available we can help. Orange County Detox and Orange County Rehab specialize in opiate treatment and are renowned by some of the oldest and largest treatment centers in the country. We contract for to those treatment centers and handle their most difficult heroin detox clientele. .