I have never worked with someone who really wants to be on drugs. Yet, mention detox and you may see your loved one running for the door. Just mentioning detox can lead to a big blow up. So, how does one detox from heroin, then? Well, it’s complicated. And it must be understood that detoxing from heroin will most likely be a slow and long term process. As you have likely noticed quitting, “cold turkey,” doesn’t work and neither does anything else, for most people. That being said, a key element to detox that can also be life saving is Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT) services, more specifically methadone. Here are the three steps that will assist in detoxing from heroin and other opiates:
- Seek out MAT services at a methadone clinic, community health clinic or a private doctor.
- Work with your doctor to find the right dose of methadone that will prevent opiate use.
- Follow through with your treatment provider’s recommendations.
The best way to detox from heroin is to first understand that there is no quick fix. Recent research indicates that people utilizing MAT services are 80 percent lest likely to overdose. services are harm reduction methods that can save lives.