How Heroin Addiction Is Treated

Having heroin addiction is a struggle, especially for those trying to find a means of quitting. The desire and motivation to successfully quit heroin require various treatments to be the most effective. Some heroin users find a variety of treatments available to help with the levels of success in their recovery and the means of motivation to quit long-term.

But what types of therapeutic approaches help for heroin addiction, and are they beneficial to making recovery possible in a difficult situation?

Heroin Addictions in California

Heroin addiction is a global problem, and it is estimated that over 600,000 Americans use heroin recreationally. In California, heroin abuse is one of the more severe substance use problems, and the state has seen an increase in heroin addiction among the residents since the early 2000s.

Additionally, as a result of their increase in consumption of heroin, residents in California may find the severity of heroin addiction creates unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, including bone pain, muscle cramping, vomiting, depression, cold flashes, insomnia, diarrhea, and more. California has brought together scientists and research to demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment approaches with reinforcing positive behaviors and evidence-based therapeutic practices.

Furthermore, the increase in effective treatment retention helped effectively promote the abstinence of heroin. It supported a variety of therapeutic approaches, both in psychological and physical counseling to help with heroin addiction within the past few years.

Different Types of Therapeutic Approaches for Heroin Addictions

Due to the increase in risks of heroin use, the approaches to treatment with pharmaceutical, behavioral, and holistic options, individuals have more opportunities to find the most effective means and techniques for heroin addiction treatment.

Integrating multiple approaches has successfully shown an increase in long-term results and overall effectiveness within the community. Addiction recovery centers use comprehensive treatment programs to help heroin users find the means to abstinence and revolve treatment approaches around their specific circumstances. This included counseling, evidence-based, clinical, holistic healing, and community and relationship skills building.

At the beginning of treatment, an individual will typically go through a detoxification process before beginning aftercare and a long-term treatment plan. During the detoxification process, individuals will sometimes be given medication-assisted treatment to lessen the withdrawal symptoms. The medications are approved for heroin addiction treatment and work with the same brain receptors that heroin does. Medication-assisted treatment is more effective for heroin treatment to help lessen the withdrawal symptoms and help those who don’t respond well to other therapeutic approaches.

Another type of therapeutic approach for heroin addiction is a behavioral therapy effective for residential and outpatient settings. This dives into cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management. Individuals learn to adapt to different expectations and are shown different coping mechanisms to formulate a new brain mapping for effective and successful recovery. Additionally, holistic healing treatment options are included as integrative approaches for heroin addiction. This can include mindfulness, yoga, meditation, nature and art therapy, family and group therapy.

By adding and implementing different therapeutic approaches for heroin addiction, the withdrawal symptoms and risks of overdose decrease dramatically, and individuals find they can meet their expectations based on their unique circumstances.

Finding the Right Heroin Addiction Treatment Center

When one struggles with a heroin addiction, the levels, and maintenance to undergo treatment require professional attendance. This helps with managing the pain and transition from heroin use to abstinence. A professional environment that uses the diverse treatment options for heroin addictions finds the combinations work effectively and can expand the aftercare plans and treatment options to best suit each individual’s needs.

A heroin addiction usually requires professional intervention. It often takes a long time to counteract the negative experiences and consequences that individuals have gone through during active addiction and now want to learn how to live a healthy life. A safe and professional environment helps patients cope with co-occurring disorders and addiction at the same time. It allows them to get to the core element of their addiction, as well as motivating them to find new meaning and purpose in life without heroin.

The most important aspect of a treatment program for heroin addiction helps diminish the desire to use the substance. Additionally, the treatment programs help detoxify the body from the substances and further progress the new brain mapping for cognitive reasoning and cognitive functioning. These essential concepts weigh in heavily with treatment planning because it builds quality motivation and purpose for life without the need for heroin.

Treatment Approaches Build Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Behavioral, psychotherapy, and holistic approaches help patients take control of their lives and teach them the vital skills to manage the many unpredictable situations that are part of everyday life. Treatment approaches build healthier lifestyle choices and encourage a more adventurous and beneficial ability to take control of their well-being now and in the future.

The Forge Treatment Center offers an outpatient facility for individuals who wish to take advantage of making their life complete and meaningful. With our cognitive-behavioral approaches and our evidence-based practices, using the diverse therapeutic approaches for heroin addictions helps create successful progression with abstinence.

If you or someone you love struggles with heroin addiction and want to integrate with different treatment approaches, don't hesitate to contact us for more information today.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

May 9, 2022