Methadone maintenance is considered the gold standard in heroin addiction treatment.[1] That is, most heroin addicts opt to take methadone on an outpatient basis when they are ready to stop using heroin. As part of their program, they must follow the federal guidelines[2] for the drug that requires them to show up in person at a methadone clinic or drug rehab and take a dose of methadone in the presence of a medical professional. They are also required to check in with their case manager regularly and attend group sessions. If they follow these guidelines without fail and pass all drug tests, they can earn take-home doses that allow them to bring a couple days’ worth of their medication home so that they don’t have to come into the clinic every day.
Heroin Detox: Suboxone Treatment
Suboxone treatment is the latest in heroin detox, and its big draw is the lesser federal standards and regulation. Heroin addicts don’t have to go to a clinic to take their Suboxone dose each day. Rather, they need only to find a doctor certified to dispense Suboxone, and then they are free to take their prescription for the drug in the comfort of their own homes. This is usually more appropriate for those with low-dose heroin addictions. For those addicted to high doses of heroin, methadone may be more appropriate until they can get the dose low enough to make the switch to Suboxone.[3]
Heroin Detox: Inpatient Options
You don’t have to take medication for months or years to detox from heroin if you don’t want to. You always have the option of choosing an inpatient heroin detox that prescribes nothing more than the medication you need to treat specific withdrawal symptoms. Rather than giving you replacement—like those discussed above which are medications meant to mimic the opiate action of heroin in your brain—you are given non-addictive medications to treat the aches and pains associated with withdrawal.
Heroin Detox: During and After
No matter which type of heroin detox you choose, it’s important to take part in addiction treatment that addresses the psychological dependence on the drug.
If you choose an inpatient heroin rehab, you can begin while you are doing your detox at the treatment center. If you opt for an outpatient heroin detox, you can choose an outpatient heroin addiction treatment program to complement. Addiction counseling, 12-step meetings, personal therapy and alternative treatments like yoga, meditation, acupuncture and other therapies can all work together to help you stay on track.
If you would like to start with an inpatient heroin rehab, contact us at Michael’s House for more information. We want to help you begin a life apart from drug use and abuse. We can even check your insurance coverage to see what may be available to you. Please call our 24 hour, toll-free helpline today.
[1] https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment/methadone
[2] https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/legislation-regulations-guidelines
[3] https://www.fda.gov/downloads/drugs/drugsafety/postmarketdrugsafetyinformationforpatientsandproviders/ucm191533.pdf
