So I have to ask, if you have been through withdrawal before did you get clean? I have a friend who is addicted to meth and she quits, but relapses back into heavy use then has to detox again because she is in and out of jail. I don't understand how she can anticipate the withdrawal and knows how bad it is, but will fall back into addiction knowing how hard it is to get clean.
@kjonesm1 yes. I have been in and out of treatment facilities, rehabs, and sober homes over the years. That is the thing with addiction, we tend to forget how bad the detox and te consequences are. When using, the first thing that changes in the brain is the logic and reasoning. It all goes out the window. It is really hard to really remember how much pain and suffering we go through. All we think about is the high from it, none of the bad. I hope that helps and sheds some light on it !
Glad to hear you are no longer dependent on heroin! You touch on another aspect of detoxing, depression and anxiety. I am wondering, if the anxiety stemmed from being worried you would not be able to survive the pain of detoxing, or the desire of wanting more heroin (or another substance), or the guilt of getting yourself into this situation in the first place? Of course, you do not need to respond. You have shared quite enough and I thank you. I have heard of others witnessing this, too. I wonder, why addicts are not separated into another area to be watched over more closely? I continue to hope that you find the help you deserve! == Thank you (all posters) for sharing your insight into this scary, painful, and serious detox experience in such detail. You have clearly explained the importance of seeking professional help.
I bet they keep the addicts in there to terrify those of us who no longer use drugs. After that experience I have no desire to play with drugs anymore. Though I have tried a bunch of stuff, luckily I have never been completely dependant on anything.
Hmm. I am not sure, if this is why a Heroin addict is not separated from other inmates. I think, I will look into this policy to get a better understanding, if this is indeed the case. It just seems extremely detrimental to the addict to go "cold turkey", after I have read what and seen (to a limited degree) the effects of detoxing. Although, I can understand your point about witnessing another person be in so much pain to cause another person to stay away from a substance like heroin.
I was being facetious when I said they were put there to scare me lol. I'm sure it has something to do with the jail being overcrowded. As far as helping the inmates detox easier, I'm sure they provide some sort of medicine because the girl kept screaming she needed medicine and they officer in there let her know the doctors were busy.
@kjonesm1 they do offer some medications for detoxing but it barley even takes the edge off detoxing from heroin. It sucks.
Wondering, if after you were given some medication, were you separated into another cell? I know some facilities have a separate psych ward, but not sure, if an addict is separated, too? If so, were you put into a straight jacket. I know, an individual that was placed into a separate section with a straight jacket, so just wondering, if this ever happened to you, or anyone else?
I have no idea. We were just in a holding cell and they left her in the cell with me until I left. A straight jacket and psych ward sound very extreme though...
I was in a room with somebody coming off heroin for about 3 days once. It wasn't a pretty sight. Shakes, vomiting, sweating, incoherent rambling, the whole nine yards. It was scary.
Right. It does sound extreme; however, I was known someone (very close to me) have this happen to them. They were neither acting out, but "presumed" suicidal. I agree. It sounds not only scary, but dangerous for everyone involved. I have not taken the time to research this, yet. Nonetheless, this thread has been extremely informative for me.
You are right - the fear of the sickness and withdrawal itself is what keeps many people from getting off initially. But, once someone does make the decision to get clean, they often find that the hardest part is staying clean AFTER the detox. It's really a "damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't" type of situation for many people. That's why it's so important to have help staying clean and getting clean.
I recently just talked to an old friend who told me that she had tried it a couple of times in the past and absolutely hated how she felt while she was high on it. She was able to just stop using it and never had to go through treatment. I guess if the will is there enough to stop using it is possible to quit for good.
No offense Rosyrain but if your friend used it a couple of times she never got addicted to it. It takes a while of continuous usage for the body to develop a physical dependence or addiction to it. Not to mention when she did use she felt horrible. Will really has nothing to do with it.
Detoxing is not always pretty. If someone is bold enough to take something like heroin they should be bold enough to get it out of them. There are actually videos on youtube of people detoxing from heroin. We could say this is mildly attention seeking but at least they are doing it. The things people pick to be known for. They even have how to detox heroin on there. Alright they have an addiction treatment hotline as the first thing there. It is a holistic approach, They explain what it is and how it is used. What it does to you. Well they don't actually show you how to detox they just put that in the title. Those are the withdrawal symptoms? Ok. I see this other guy saying that the best way is to keep yourself active and busy with exercise. Interesting how people want to publicize all of this.
I think it was heroin, but it may have been barbituates I am not sure whih that the withdrawals can be so severe that they can cause death. I know people have withdrawn from heroin on their own, but it seems that having a professional detox would be the safe way to do it.
The real effects of heroin withdraw it can tell you and I sincerely hope that you never have to experience. I decided to withdraw cold turkey after being offered methadone I figured what's the point in getting addicted to another drug.The physical symptoms lasted for about two weeks. First I'd vomit everything i drank. Then I got constipation which was merciless lasting for about 3 day's followed by dioreah which lasted about a week cold sweats hot sweats muscle aches and pains cramps and body spasms running nose just like a flu multiplied by 10 coupled by sleepless nights and uncontrable body shaking . when sleep finally came it was for about 2 to 3 weeks accompanied by nightmares. I was lucky enough to be far enough removed from the dealers because if I had easy access I know that I would never been able to endure the withdrawl. For me it was the only way I could have been able to get clean was to get as far away as I could from the drug scene and suffer the withdrawls if I had stayed in the city i know i wouldn't have managed two days of the withdrawls. In a nutshell it was pure torture you can't eat sleep think sit down or lie down for the first few weeks. I honestly wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy that's how bad it is