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What Is Heroin Addiction?
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic brain disease that changes how your mind functions. One powerful example of this is heroin addiction.
Heroin hijacks your brain's reward system, flooding it with dopamine and creating intense cravings.1
Over time, as your brain gets used to the heroin in your system, it will stop producing normal amounts of feel-good chemicals on its own. This means that your body starts to rely on and needs heroin just to feel normal, which is why heroin addiction recovery requires strategic medical support.
Risks and Symptoms of Heroin Addiction
There are several short- and long-term risks of heroin addiction, including:
- Fatal overdose
- Collapsed veins and abscesses
- Heart infections
- Hepatitis and HIV transmission
- Brain function and decision-making
- Liver and kidney damage
- Mental health stability
- Relationships and employment
The good news? When you know better, you heal better, and learning more about addiction as a medical condition helps remove shame and opens the door to effective treatment.
What Makes Heroin Addiction Recovery Unique
Heroin addiction recovery faces unique challenges that require specialized care, as the relapse rate within the first year can be as high as 96% without proper treatment.2
The withdrawal symptoms from heroin addiction and opioid recovery are often intense and can be dangerous without medical supervision, meaning many people struggle to get through them alone.
Some common withdrawal symptoms individuals experience during heroin addiction recovery include:
- Severe muscle and bone pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Intense cravings
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Insomnia and restlessness
- Depression and suicidal thoughts
Experience Healing at Arista Recovery
Heroin addiction has devastated communities across Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. But here's our commitment to you: recovery begins now, and it's absolutely possible with the right support.
At Arista Recovery, we've seen countless people overcome heroin addiction and rebuild meaningful lives. Our approach goes beyond just getting clean – we focus on healing the whole person through evidence-based care delivered with heart.
The Stages of Heroin Addiction Recovery at Arista Recovery
There are several treatment options for heroin and opioid recovery at Arista Recovery, including:
Medical Detox
Our Paola facility provides 24/7 medical supervision during the most dangerous phase of heroin addiction recovery, meaning you'll never be alone during withdrawal.
Our medical team will also use medication-assisted treatment (MAT) when appropriate. Medications like buprenorphine and methadone can ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings safely.
Detox typically lasts 5-7 days, but everyone's timeline is different, and we will never rush the process if you need more time.
Research shows MAT reduces overdose deaths by 50% and significantly improves treatment retention.3
Residential Inpatient Treatment
After detox, most people benefit from 30-90 days of residential treatment for heroin addiction recovery. This provides structure and intensive therapy in a safe, substance-free environment.
Daily programming includes:
- Individual therapy sessions
- Group therapy and peer support
- Family therapy and education
- Medical care and medication management
- Holistic therapies like equine therapy and art therapy
Our trauma-informed approach also recognizes that many people use heroin to cope with painful experiences. We address these root causes, not just the symptoms.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Our Overland Park treatment center offers a PHP that provides full-day treatment (6-8 hours) while you live at home or in sober living. It's perfect for stepping down from residential care. Here, you or your loved one will continue intensive therapy while gradually rebuilding independence and life skills.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Our IOP is recommended for people who need flexibility for work, school, or family responsibilities while still receiving care for symptoms or triggers from heroin addiction recovery.
In our IOP, you or your loved one will attend treatment 3-4 times per week for 3 hours each session. This includes individual therapy, group sessions, and family support.
Outpatient Care and Aftercare Planning
Ongoing support is crucial for long-term heroin addiction recovery. Our team offers outpatient care and further aftercare planning to help you transition to lower levels of care while still maintaining your progress.
Beyond our outpatient treatment level, our alumni program connects you with others in recovery for ongoing peer support and accountability. We’re here to stand beside you on your journey to well-being—long after you conclude treatment.
Evidence-Based Therapies for Heroin Addiction Recovery
Evidence-based therapies utilize proven and scientifically-grounded treatments for those in detox and recovering from both substance use and mental health disorders.
Some therapies we provide at Arista Recovery include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you identify and change thought patterns that often lead to drug use. You'll learn to recognize triggers and develop healthy coping strategies.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT teaches emotional regulation skills that are crucial for heroin addiction recovery, and you’ll learn to manage intense emotions without resorting to coping with substances.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
MI is a collaborative, client-centered counseling approach designed to strengthen an individual's own motivation for and commitment to change. It helps you explore and resolve your ambivalence about making a change by eliciting your own reasons for doing so.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is designed to help you process and heal from distressing or traumatic memories that often co-occur with substance use during heroin addiction recovery.
It involves focusing on a traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, typically through guided eye movements, which helps to reduce the emotional intensity and vividness associated with the memory.
Holistic Interventions That Support Heroin Addiction Recovery
Evidence-based therapies aren’t the only avenue to healing. Arista Recovery offers whole-person healing that is more than sobriety – it’s a lifestyle reset.
Some holistic options we provide for heroin addiction recovery include:
Nutritional Therapy
Heroin depletes your body of essential nutrients. That’s why our on-site chef will prepare meals designed to restore your physical health and support brain healing.
Equine Therapy
Working with horses teaches trust, communication, and emotional regulation. Horses respond to your energy, providing immediate feedback about your internal state.
Art Therapy
Our certified art therapist helps you express emotions that might be difficult to put into words. Creative expression can be especially healing for trauma survivors and those with co-occurring disorders.
Horticulture Therapy
Gardening teaches patience, responsibility, and the satisfaction of nurturing growth. These same skills transfer to nurturing your recovery from heroin addiction and creating a comprehensive healing journey.
Fitness and Movement
Regular exercise boosts mood-enhancing chemicals in your brain naturally, and physical activity also helps manage stress and anxiety. If you’re healing from heroin addiction, this is particularly vital, as it can significantly alleviate challenging withdrawal symptoms and reduce intense cravings.
Engaging in physical activity offers a healthy, natural outlet that supports sustained sobriety and promotes overall well-being.
Heroin Addiction Recovery: Addressing Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
About 80% of people with heroin addiction also have mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder.4
Treating only the addiction while ignoring mental health issues often increases the risks of relapse. That's why our dual diagnosis program treats both simultaneously.
Our integrated approach includes:
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Specialized groups for specific conditions
- Family education about mental health
Supporting Long-Term Sobriety After Treatment
Heroin addiction recovery doesn't end when you leave treatment – long-term success requires ongoing support and lifestyle changes.
Some of the aftercare and relapse prevention supports we provide at Arista Recovery include:
Ongoing Therapy and Counseling
Continued engagement in individual or group therapy is a cornerstone of lasting recovery, offering sustained support and crucial tools to navigate challenges and prevent relapse.
These sessions provide a vital space for processing emotions, building coping skills, and reinforcing the commitment to a sober lifestyle.
Drug Rehab Aftercare Resources
Aftercare offers a structured, supportive plan that is often crucial for rebuilding independence and fostering internal growth after treatment.
At Arista Recovery, we are dedicated to creating an aftercare plan that provides the accountability and support essential for a stable transition.
Family Therapy and Support
At Arista Recovery, we understand that family integration is absolutely central to sustainable recovery.
Healthy family relationships provide an unparalleled foundation of crucial support, fostering healing not just for the individual but for the entire family unit as they learn to communicate effectively and rebuild trust.
Alumni Program
Our robust alumni program ensures ongoing connection with a supportive community of individuals who share similar recovery journeys.
These relationships often evolve into lifelong sources of encouragement, accountability, and shared wisdom, celebrating milestones and offering a vital safety net long after formal treatment concludes.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
The journey out of heroin addiction is undeniably challenging, yet at Arista Recovery, we firmly believe in the profound possibility of lasting healing and a revitalized life.
We understand the unique complexities of opioid dependence and are dedicated to providing the comprehensive, compassionate care necessary to overcome it.
Recovery from heroin addiction isn't just about abstinence – it's about rebuilding, rediscovering purpose, and finding sustained freedom.
Let’s Create a Life You Love
Our specialized programs, delivered with a commitment to individualized treatment, address not only the physical aspects of addiction but also the underlying mental health, trauma, and emotional factors.
If you or a loved one is struggling, remember that hope is real, and effective support is available.
Arista Recovery is here to guide you through every step, offering the tools and community needed to secure a healthier, more fulfilling future. Take the courageous step and reach out today – your path to recovery begins now.
Resources
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4772197/
- https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/methadone-buprenorphine-reduce-risk-death-after-opioid-overdose
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740547298000051
