Heroin is one of the deadliest drug available today as it can kill you almost instantly if you accidentally overdose. You may argue that you are very careful with your drug intake. But the things is, many drug dealers add fentanyl on the heroin they sell. Fentanyl is a very potent substance that when combined with heroin can cause accidental overdose. And even if you’re getting by and heroin does not kill you, it will eventually ruin your life.
The best way to get your life back in order is to quit. However, quitting can also prove to be a tricky move as you most likely cannot do it on your own. You will need medical help to get you through the withdrawal stage as safely as possible. So, what kind of heroin addiction treatment is available in Fort Lauderdale?
Detoxification
Before beginning your long-term treatment program, you first need to undergo a detoxification program to help get rid of all the heroin from your system. Patients may be given medication to help reduce their withdrawal symptoms during this stage, which may include nausea, diarrhea, pain, and vomiting.
Medications
Medical management is crucial when it comes to helping individuals kick their heroin addiction by helping them reduce their cravings to prevent future use. Some commonly used medicines to treat heroin addiction include:
- Buprenorphine
- Methadone
- Naltrexone
- Suboxone
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy is another effective way to treat heroin addiction. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have found many of these behavioral treatments effective. They could either be done in an inpatient or outpatient setting. The two behavioral therapies are cognitive-behavior and contingency management therapy.
The Bottom Line
Detoxification in itself is not considered as an addiction treatment. However, it is often an effective first step, especially when combined with other heroin addiction treatment programs like behavioral therapy and medication.
