A heroin rehab in Southern California provides support and treatment for those addicted to heroin. Many different rehabs for heroin include a detox program at the beginning of treatment. Then the patient gets a combination of different therapeutic interventions, including peer support groups, group coaching, individual therapy, and family therapy, to help address the behaviors of drug use and avoid relapse.
Heroin Dependence and Tolerance
Dependence and tolerance are two different things. The body will develop a tolerance to the effects of heroin when it is used regularly enough. The brain adapts to the level of heroin present. The more tolerance the body builds up, the more heroin it requires for you to feel the same effects. Tolerance is usually one of the first warning signs that someone is developing heroin dependence. Dependence happens when a user starts to feel that he or she needs the drug to function normally. There can be many withdrawal symptoms, which lead to more drug seeking behavior.
Duration of Treatment
When looking into heroin rehab in Southern California, one of the things to consider is the duration of treatment. The length of time that is needed at a rehab will vary by the individual and different factors. A commonly offered option is 30-day programs. Some facilities also offer 60-day and 90-day programs. In general, 90 days is the recommended option. Longer treatment is also recommended for those who had previously completed a 30-day program and relapsed, or those with physical health issues or co-occurring mental disorders.
Detox from Heroin
One of the first steps to a successful heroin rehab is detox. The main goal of detox is to get rid of withdrawal symptoms and allow the body to adjust to functioning without the drug. In order to be done, it should be medically supervised to ensure safety and comfort.
Medications to Help with Heroin Addiction
Different medications can help with the withdrawal symptoms and should be used in a medically monitored and safe environment. For example, methadone binds to the opioid receptors in the brain, just like heroin does, to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It’s slow acting to reduce the high that happens.
Depending on the detox program, there is also an option without medications. Many find this form of detox hard so medication assisted detox is becoming more popular.
Ongoing Care
Treatment shouldn’t end after rehab. Rehab centers will carefully plan for ongoing care once the initial treatment has ended. Many programs offer their own aftercare programs and plan and arrange for either extended treatment or aftercare support. Those in recovery tend to do better when there is a plan in place so this is a very important step. Relapse can be common but strategies such as additional therapy and outpatient treatment can help prevent this.
