Heroin Detox Program in California

Phoenix Rising Recovery provides a safe heroin detox program that eases the symptoms of withdrawal. We also offer the necessary support and hands-on care, so our clients don’t needlessly suffer.

Heroin abuse causes pain and stressful emotions to those who suffer from addiction. In addition, their loved ones suffer as they watch their relatives face the grips of heroin abuse. Sometimes a person wants to quit using heroin but is afraid of the detox process. People facing heroin addiction often wonder about the heroin detox timeline and how challenging it may be. Furthermore, they may also fear withdrawal symptoms or be afraid of what life would be like without heroin.

The Heroin Detox Process in California

At Phoenix Rising’s heroin detox program in Palm Springs, California, we use a medication-assistance program to help keep patients safe and comfortable. We allow patients to go through detox as naturally as possible as long as patients don’t show signs of emotional or physical distress. If there are any complications during detox, our treatment staff can prescribe helpful medications to our patients recovering from heroin addiction.

Some of these medications, for example, can help combat pain, sleeping issues, and other symptoms. Sometimes heroin withdrawal symptoms can be helped by placing our patients in a tapering program using Suboxone or Methadone. Our heroin detox patients can take comfort in knowing they are supported every step of the way with our medication-assisted treatment program.

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone is the overdose reversal drug which vacates opioid receptors while someone is in overdose. It is also mixed with some prescription drugs to prevent relapse, overdose in case of relapse and can also lessen cravings while recovering from opiates/opioids. Naloxone is the active ingredient in an overdose drug you might recognize that has the most notoriety in the media, Narcan.

What is Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is the generic drug name (brand names are: Suboxone, Subutex, Subsolv, Sublocade) that is a partial opioid agonist that assists in withdrawal symptoms, sometimes in conjunction with naloxone, which blocks opioid receptors from other opioids. This medication can help individuals that are suffering from opioid use disorders, including heroin. These medications are taken Sublingually, where they have the most bioavailability through absorption under the tongue, or as an injection when used for a one month extended release prescription. Buprenorphine and naloxone act as opioid agonists when taken together, blocking opioids from binding to the brain’s opioid receptors. Because of this, individuals do not feel the effects of heroin. As a result, Suboxone can help minimize heroin withdrawal symptoms and reduce heroin cravings, improving the chances for successful recovery.

What is Methadone?

Methadone is a powerful analgesic drug that treats opioid addiction. Methadone is typically available as a tablet or in liquid form. This medication is useful when tapering off a powerful drug like heroin because it can minimize withdrawal symptoms.

How Long Does Heroin Withdrawal Last?

How long the heroin detox timeline lasts can depend on many factors. For many people, the average length of withdrawal time is about one week but this can vary. These varying factors include how long a person’s addiction has been going on, how much heroin they typically use, and if they also abuse any other substances. Additional reasons, like their physical health and any accompanying mental health conditions, can also impact the length of time and intensity of withdrawal symptoms. 

Heroin Detox Timeline

How long does it take to detox from heroin? The heroin detox timeline varies based on individual factors, but here are the general stages and what to expect during each phase:

The First 24 Hours

Withdrawal symptoms can begin as soon as six hours after the last dosage of heroin is taken. During this time, individuals might start feeling initial signs of discomfort. This phase is critical, and close monitoring by medical professionals ensures safety and comfort.

Days 1-3man struggling with heroin withdrawal without medical assistance.

During the first three days, withdrawal symptoms often peak. This period is typically the most challenging as the body starts to adjust to the absence of heroin. Individuals might experience severe discomfort, which requires medical attention and supportive care. This is when medication is administered to assist in easing symptoms.

Days 4-7

Symptoms generally start to decrease after the third day. Physical symptoms begin to wane, although psychological symptoms like anxiety and depression can persist. The support from medical professionals and therapists is crucial to help manage these lingering effects.

Week 2 and Beyond

By the end of the first week, most physical symptoms have significantly diminished. However, psychological symptoms can continue for several weeks. This period is often referred to as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS), where individuals may experience fluctuating symptoms that require ongoing support and therapy.

representation of anxiety and cravings from Post acute withdrawal symptoms after initial heroin detoxPost-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)

After completing the acute phase of heroin detox, some people experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome. Common PAWS symptoms include nausea, anxiety, depression, and cravings for heroin. These symptoms can continue for several months and should be monitored by treatment professionals.

PAWS can lead to a relapse event if not treated appropriately, which is why follow-up care is crucial.

Infographic about Heroin used statistics from SAMHSA. "Reports show that in 2022, 1 million people ages 12 and over had used heroin in the past year, in 2022, out of the 1 million heroin users, 73k of them were first time heroin users. 3000 of those who had used heroin In the" past year were between 12-17 years old." image of 12 year old girl for reference is above the text.
Infographic of Heroin Use Statistics summarized from SAMHSA 2022 Annual report | Phoenix Rising Recovery (Updated: June 2024)

Fentanyl Laced Heroin

In recent years, there has been a disturbing trend of fentanyl being laced into heroin. While Heroin is an opiate, Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. When mixed with heroin, the risk of overdose and severe withdrawal symptoms increases dramatically. A substantial amount of opiates/opioids bought illegally (non-prescribed) contain fentanyl, many times in lethal doses. This can make the detox process even more crucial and challenging, as withdrawals can be much more severe due to variance in potency of substances used and the longevity of use.

A substantial amount of opiates/opioids bought illegally (non-prescribed) contain fentanyl, many times in lethal doses. For people distributing drugs illegally, Fentanyl is much cheaper and easier to obtain than heroin, so they use it to “cut” heroin prior to selling, meaning the person buying may not have a tolerance for the powerful drug fentanyl, increasing the chance of overdose. This combined with the shorter euphoric longevity of the drug create a dangerous combination where heroin users become inclined to use more frequently.

Phoenix Rising Recovery Provides a Full-Service Heroin Rehab in Palm Desert, CA

At Phoenix Rising Recovery, we offer a highly knowledgeable staff and passionate talent available in the addiction treatment industry. For the benefit of our patients, we provide the staff at our heroin detox center in Palm Springs, California with the best treatment resources possible. That includes a number of modern-day treatment modalities that prove to be very effective.

We will guide you towards a lasting recovery using a combination of the following treatment options and services:

  • Inpatient Care is ideal for patients who have completed detox. They stay at our rehab facility 24/7, away from the cares and temptations of the world. Additionally, they can stay in inpatient care until they feel equipped to go back to their routine life.
  • Outpatient Care is perfect for the patient who is not at high-risk of relapse. During outpatient care, they get treatment at the facility during the day and return home at night.
  • Intensive Outpatient Care is an option for patients who feel ready to go home but still want intensive treatment regularly. These patients attend therapy 3-5 days a week for a few hours per day while still living at home.
  • Partial Hospitalization with an outpatient follow-up is similar to inpatient care but the person resides in a sober living home.
  • Dual Diagnosis Treatment is a treatment option for patients who struggle with both mental illness and addiction.
  • Holistic Treatment options treat the person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, which proves effective in helping people overcome addiction.
  • Aftercare provides people who have completed our programs with the tools they need to stay sober after formal treatment ends.

Begin Our Heroin Detox Program in Palm Springs, California

If heroin addiction has taken hold of your life, you may want to get help but are afraid of the detox process. Our experienced, caring staff can provide the medical and emotional support you need to make the heroin detox timeline safer and more comfortable for you. At Phoenix Rising Recovery’s heroin detox center in Palm Springs, California, we will be happy to explain how we can ease your worries and put you on the road to recovery. Give us a call or use our contact form to take the first step towards putting heroin addiction in your past.