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Picture yourself in a crowded Starbucks. How many people are in there? 20? Maybe 30?
Statistically, at least 2 of those people currently have a substance use disorder.
In 2021, Oregon ranked as the state with the largest amount of substance use disorders for people aged 12 and up. Nearly 1 in 10 people reported having an SUD.
One of the ways we can address this concern is by spreading awareness and educational information about substance use. As one of the oldest non-profit rehabs in the state, our team at Serenity Lane is dedicated to doing just that. Today we’re going to talk about weaning off heroin, why it’s needed, and how to safely do it.
You’ve likely heard of the term “weaning” before, but perhaps in a different context. Weaning is the process of gradually transitioning someone away from a behavior or substance that is a part of their regular routine.
Why is this process used for heroin?
Heroin is an illicit opioid derived from morphine. Quitting “cold turkey” can lead to uncomfortable (and sometimes dangerous) withdrawal symptoms. When someone utilizes the process of heroin weaning, they slowly reduce their heroin intake in order to better mitigate those withdrawal side effects.
Is heroin weaning even necessary? What is it about heroin that causes withdrawal in the first place?
Heroin is not the only substance in the world that causes withdrawal. In fact, there are many medications that can cause withdrawal, too. When doctors are aware of this, it’s not uncommon for them to also utilize weaning, sometimes referred to as tapering, to help their patients not experience withdrawal.
Opioids like heroin interact with the opioid receptors in our brains. When a substance or medication is regularly in the body and alters how it functions, the brain and body will adjust to this assistance. If you suddenly stop taking heroin, your body goes through a sort of shock with the assistance suddenly not there anymore. While it will slowly shift back to not needing the substance anymore, the side effects experienced during this period are what make up withdrawal.
Since heroin weaning is so deeply linked with heroin withdrawal, being able to spot the signs of heroin withdrawal can go a long way.
Here are the most common signs of heroin withdrawal:
There are a handful of different methods utilized when helping someone step away from heroin use. Some of these are used in medical settings and some are more commonly done at home. Outside of medical supervision, not every method of weaning is inherently safe or guaranteed. The best way to stick to the process of heroin weaning is to do it under the supervision of medical professionals.
With that being said, let’s talk about the differences in types of weaning.
As the name implies, substitute weaning utilizes other medications to swap out for heroin. This is done in a medical setting with FDA-approved medications like Methadone or Suboxone. This is one of the safest ways to address weaning off of heroin.
This method cannot be reliably attempted without medical help. If not utilizing medical assistance, you won’t have access to safe medications and substances. If you attempt to do this with other illicitly obtained substances, you have the potential to experience other side effects and physical risks.
The terms “tapering” and “titration” are both thrown around within the medical community and often can be used together.
Tapering off heroin refers to a slow lowering of a dosage until a person is at their new dosage or until they’re off the medication or substance entirely. Often this process is done both through the medication itself and the spacing of how often the medication is taken. This is done to help make the transition smooth for the person to avoid potential side effects.
Titration, on the other hand, can be used to either lower or increase the dosage of a given medication or substance, depending on the needs of the patient. Instead of utilizing the spacing out of the medication like general tapering does, titration focuses solely on the concentration of the substance involved.
Outside of medical settings, some people utilize titration by dissolving their heroin in water to help slowly lower how much they’re taking. Because you can’t guarantee what is in your heroin, and heroin itself still poses a risk to you, this solution still poses many risks.
No form of substance use is safe, but is it truly unsafe to try to stop taking heroin without medical help?
Yes.
One of the biggest risks associated with heroin withdrawal is the risk of returning to use, especially when the withdrawal has been going on for a longer period of time. The longer your body is away from heroin, the lower your threshold can become. With intense heroin cravings and no medical supervision comes a higher risk of returning to use. If you return to use and take your same dosage as normal, your risk of overdosing increases drastically.
Opioid-related overdoses are the leading cause of substance-related deaths across the nation, and Oregon is no exception. In fact, here in Oregon, nearly 5 people die every week from an opioid overdose.
The only way to mitigate this threat is to start your recovery journey in a safe, medical setting like a rehab center or detoxification clinic.
When it comes to the side effects and time frames related to any substance, there’s no exact measurement that will apply to everyone.
Weaning off of an illicit substance is not an exact science. The exact range will depend on a few things such as how much you reduce your dose, what other substances you take, how long you’ve engaged with heroin, and more.
When heroin weaning is done under medical supervision, with or without the use of medication, many of the withdrawal symptoms can be reduced or assisted with. In a detox setting, the medical team on hand works with you directly to ensure your safety and comfort as you transition away from heroin and into recovery.
When someone attempts to wean off of heroin at home, without medical assistance, there is no guarantee of an avoidance of withdrawal or its symptoms.
Whether you’re reading this for yourself or a loved one, know that there are options available right here in Oregon. No matter your history with substance use, a heroin detox program can set you up for long-term success.
If you want to start your recovery journey away from heroin today, our team at Serenity Lane is here to help. With the full continuum of care available, you can get started right away with our detox program and beyond. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at 800-543-9905. We look forward to helping you find the healing you deserve.
Find serenity in long-term recovery.
Are there any medicines that can help with heroin detox?
There are several medications commonly utilized to assist with the detox and recovery process as a whole. This approach to recovery is known as Medication-Assisted Treatment, or MAT. These medications are FDA-approved to assist with managing cravings and side effects so that the person can better focus on their recovery.
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