What are the Signs of Heroin Withdrawal?

Heroin, an opiate, is a highly addictive drug that depresses the central nervous system. Attempts to stop using the drug generally result in physical withdrawal. Some heroin withdrawals symptoms, such as insomnia and goose bumps, may be considered mild. Other symptoms, such as muscle pain and cramping, may be considered severe.

Snorting, injecting, and smoking are all common methods of consuming heroin. Many users believe that some methods make the drug less addictive. Many of them may also have expectations that ending their habits will be easier if they have engaged in a certain consumption method. This is a theory that users are likely to find disappointing, because most people will experience heroin withdrawal symptoms no matter how the drug was taken.

Over time, the body tends to develop increasing tolerance to heroin and changes may occur in the brain. This means that a person needs increasing amounts of the drug to appease his addiction. The first heroin withdrawal symptoms can begin within a few hours of the last dose because the body has adapted to the substance. Major withdrawal symptoms generally occur if a user goes two to three days without using the drug.

Restlessness may be one of the first signs that a user is going through withdrawal. If the user continues without the drug, he can experience a range of physical effects. These include muscle and bone pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Attempts to quit using heroin are often referred to as attempts to "kick the habit." This saying could be related to the fact that some people’s withdrawal symptoms include involuntary kicking.

There is no set time frame for experiencing heroin withdrawal. How heavily addicted the user was can be a major factor, but is not always a reliable indicator. Many users only experience withdrawal symptoms for about one week. Others can be burdened with physical symptoms for months.

People who want to stop using the drug may want to seek professional help. Quitting the habit can be very difficult, but, more importantly, it can be dangerous. If a person has been a heavy user and he is in poor health, heroin withdrawal symptoms can be fatal.

There are controlled substances available from medical professionals that can be of great assistance. In the US, clondine and buprenorphine are two substances that are sometimes dispensed to help minimize heroin withdrawal symptoms. Their effectiveness toward the overall goal of ending a drug habit is generally believed to be optimized when a person incorporates them as part of other treatment strategies.