Table of contents:
- What is heroin withdrawal?
- What are the symptoms of heroin withdrawal?
- Emotional symptoms that occur with heroin withdrawal
- Physical symptoms that occur with heroin withdrawal
- How to treat heroin withdrawal
Heroin or putaw is a drug that is processed from morphine, a natural substance from the seed extract of certain varieties of poppy seeds. According to the BNN survey, Heroin is the 4th most consumed type of drug in Indonesia.
Heroin is an opiate drug that suppresses several functions of the central nervous system, such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and body temperature regulation. Heroin also creates a euphoric effect (extreme happiness). When a person stops using heroin, the effects are extreme sadness and depression, as well as emotional emptiness.
Long-term use of heroin has been shown to cause brain damage. However, heroin addicts who suddenly stop using them will usually experience withdrawal symptoms before their bodies can completely rid themselves of the remaining heroin.
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What is heroin withdrawal?
Sakau or withdrawal, aka withdrawal of medication, is a body symptom that occurs as a result of sudden withdrawal of drug use, or due to a drastic drop in drug dose at once. Symptoms and withdrawal periods will vary from person to person, depending on the person's level of addiction to heroin. Other factors that affect the severity of heroin withdrawal symptoms include:
- How long has he been using heroin
- The type of drug used
- How to use heroin (by injection, inhaled by the nose, or swallowed)
- Dosage for each time using heroin
- Family history and genetics
- Medical and mental health factors
For example, a person who has used injectable heroin for many years with a family history of addiction and psychiatric problems is more likely to have prolonged withdrawal with stronger symptoms than someone who uses small doses of heroin over a short period of time.
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What are the symptoms of heroin withdrawal?
Heroin withdrawal symptoms vary, depending on how much and how often you use the drug, as well as how much of the brain's chemical structures have been damaged. For new users who only take small doses of heroin, withdrawal symptoms may be milder and do not last long.
Emotional symptoms that occur with heroin withdrawal
- It's hard to focus
- Restless
- Anxiety and tension
- Depression
- Worry
- Sleep disturbance
- It's hard to be happy
- Heroin cravings
Physical symptoms that occur with heroin withdrawal
- Nausea
- Gag
- Diarrhea
- Stomach ache
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Sweating
- Chills
- Yawn often
- Muscle and bone pain
- Tremor
- Goosebumps (hair stand on end)
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- The heart beats fast
- Muscle spasms
- The respiratory system is damaged
Heroin is an opioid that acts quickly when absorbed and also quickly leaves the body. Heroin withdrawal symptoms begin 6-12 hours after the last dose, peak within 2-3 days, and can last up to 5-10 days.
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Quitting heroin is not generally considered a life-threatening situation. However, some medical and psychological symptoms have complications that may be life-threatening. The depression that former heroin users suffer from can lead to suicidal behavior and tendencies, if not quickly treated.
How to treat heroin withdrawal
Heroin should not be discontinued suddenly without the supervision of a doctor or other medical professional, who can use several methods to manage the side effects of withdrawal and keep the patient safe.
Rehabilitation patients will receive medical detoxification treatment and intensive therapy.
