Our programs
Heroin Detox Centers
Admissions answered 24 hours a day · Most major insurance accepted
Includes reviews of Flourishing Foundations Recovery, now part of Briarwood
The short answer
Heroin withdrawal begins 6 to 12 hours after the last dose with nausea, cramps, sweating, chills and muscle and bone aches. Symptoms peak between day one and day three and are usually subsiding by day five to seven, though some can persist for weeks or months if left untreated. Most detox programs here run 5 to 7 days.
If you are deciding whether to detox at home or with medical supervision, admissions can talk it through with you now on (866) 710-7710. Free, confidential, and answered around the clock.
The heroin withdrawal timeline
The record is explicit that severity varies with how long heroin was used, how it was used and how much was taken each time. This is the pattern, not a forecast.
| When | What commonly happens |
|---|---|
| 6 to 12 hours after the last dose | Mild to moderate symptoms begin — nausea, abdominal cramps, sweating, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and muscle and bone aches. More severe symptoms may include rapid heart rate, insomnia, depression, muscle spasms, impaired breathing and extreme cravings. |
| 1 to 3 days after the last dose | Symptoms peak. How severe they get depends on how long heroin was used, how it was used, and how much was taken each time. |
| 5 to 7 days after the last dose | Symptoms should be subsiding, though some may persist for weeks or months after detox if left untreated. |
Withdrawal from alcohol and benzodiazepines can become medically dangerous. If you are unsure whether it is safe to stop on your own, call (866) 710-7710 before you do.
- Accredited The Joint Commission
- Rated 4.7 · 183 Google reviews Flourishing Foundations Recovery, now part of Briarwood
- Admissions 24 hours a day
Freedom from addiction with clinical heroin detox
It is so difficult to watch a loved one struggle with heroin addiction or to battle it yourself. The professionals at Briarwood Detox Center understand this struggle and some have experienced it themselves. Our mission is to provide quality care in a clean and welcoming environment where you can safely rid your body and mind of toxins while also preparing for drug rehabilitation and your next steps to sobriety.
About Heroin
Heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine, which is derived from the seed pod of poppy plants. It is typically made in the form of white or brown powder but can also be a sticky, black substance known as black tar heroin.
To use heroin, people inject, smoke, sniff, or snort it. Injecting it straight into the veins is the quickest way to get high, but it’s also the most dangerous because the risk of overdose and infection is very high. Once inside the body, the drug travels to the brain very fast and a person can quickly become addicted even after just two or three uses.
Immediately after using heroin, a person will feel a rush of euphoria but they may also experience other effects of heroin such as nausea, vomiting, itching, slowed heart rate, slowed breathing, and moments in and out of consciousness.
Long-term abuse of heroin is extremely dangerous and can result in many terrible medical conditions, such as:
- Collapsed veins
- Liver and kidney disease
- Infection of the heart lining and valves
- Insomnia
- Sexual dysfunction (for men)
- Infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis
- Mental disorders
Heroin overdoses are also very common and can lead to permanent brain damage, coma, or death.
Do I Need Detox?
If you are addicted to heroin and have developed a dependency, you will most likely need a medical detox program to safely rid your body of the drug and manage any uncomfortable symptoms you experience during withdrawal. Our staff can help you determine if you need detox with a personal clinical assessment.
How Long Does Heroin Stay in Your System?
The rate at which heroin is metabolized in the body will affect how long it is detectable via drug test. Although several factors impact how long heroin will stay in your system, such as weight, body mass, the testing method, and your metabolism, the primary factor in how long heroin is detectable via drug test is how much of the drug was taken.
| How Long Does Heroin Stay in Your System? | |
| Urine | Detectable 2-5 hours after use or 2-3 days for heavy users |
| Blood | Detectable for several hours after use |
| Saliva | Detectable up to 1-24 hours after use |
| Hair | Detectable up to 3 months after use |
Why Choose A Medically Assisted Detox?
Heroin detox will not be the same for everyone and there are many factors that come into play when determining how to best approach detox. These include:
- How long a person used heroin
- How it was abused
- The dosage that was taken during each usage
- The user’s medical health and mental health history
- Any co-existing mental or medical disorders
Since it’s impossible to predict exactly how you will react when heroin usage is abruptly stopped, the safest course of action is to undergo detox in a clinically monitored environment.
Briarwood Detox Center is fully staffed with a medical team of addiction specialists that have the knowledge and experience to create a personalized heroin detox program for you. Based on your usage history and other factors, your detox plan will be designed to provide the best care possible without risking your safety or severe discomfort.
What Are Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms?
Heroin withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and the detox process can be dangerous without medical supervision. Although withdrawal will be different for everyone, you may experience the following physical symptoms:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Teary eyes
- Runny nose
- Yawning
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Goosebumps
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle spasms
- Pain in the bones, muscles, and abdomen
- Sweating
- Shakiness
- Strong heroin cravings
The duration of heroin withdrawal varies and withdrawal symptoms typically peak within 1-3 days, but this time frame will vary depending on your situation. Severe physical symptoms can be eased with medication administered by our clinical staff to ensure heroin detox is as safe and comfortable as possible.
How Does Briarwood Detox Manage Withdrawal Symptoms?
Heroin withdrawal is safest when completed in a medically assisted detox facility like Briarwood. Our staff is trained to recognize and treat the symptoms of heroin withdrawal to make sure you are as comfortable as possible throughout the withdrawal process. We use medications to treat any uncomfortable physical symptoms and in certain cases, we may also use tapering medications to gradually bring you down into a sober state of being. Heroin withdrawal will not be the same for everyone and it can be dangerous and unpredictable. We always recommend that you detox in a medically assisted facility where you’ll be closely monitored and supervised.
What Is The Heroin Withdrawal Timeline?
| 6-12 hours after the last dose: | You will begin to experience some mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, abdominal cramps, sweating, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and muscle and bone aches. More severe withdrawal symptoms may include rapid heart rate, insomnia, depression, muscle spasms, impaired breathing, and extreme drug cravings. |
| 1-3 days after the last dose: | During this time, your symptoms will peak. The severity of withdrawal symptoms is different for everyone and will depend on how long you’ve used heroin, how you used it, and how much was taken each time. |
| 5-7 days after the last dose | Your symptoms should be subsiding at this point but some may persist for weeks or months after completing detox if left untreated. |
Straight answers
Common questions
How long does heroin withdrawal last?
It begins 6 to 12 hours after the last dose, peaks between day one and day three, and is usually subsiding by day five to seven. Some symptoms can persist for weeks or months afterward if they are left untreated.
What are heroin withdrawal symptoms?
Agitation, anxiety, teary eyes, runny nose, yawning, diarrhea, dilated pupils, goosebumps, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, muscle spasms, pain in the bones, muscles and abdomen, sweating, shakiness and strong cravings. The record is direct that these can be very severe and that detoxing without medical supervision can be dangerous.
How long does heroin detox take at Briarwood?
Most detox programs here take 5 to 7 days, depending on individual circumstances. A physical evaluation is what makes a more precise answer possible.
How Long Does It Take to Detox From Heroin?
It’s difficult to say how long a detox program will be without having more information about you. Most of our detox programs take 5-7 days, but this will depend on the person’s individual circumstances. Once we perform a physical evaluation, we can let you know how long you can expect to be in detox.
What is the Recommended Treatment Plan After Heroin Detox?
If you are recovering from heroin addiction, relapse is a real threat and intense cravings to use heroin can sometimes last weeks or months after detox. During detox treatment, we will help you manage your cravings and provide a positive and supportive atmosphere to increase your motivation to stay sober. After detox, it’s important that you continue with a treatment program that will help you sustain lasting sobriety. Residential treatment is often the natural next step. During rehab, you will learn more about heroin addiction, how to address the issues in your past, and gain important skills that will help you continue to live a stable and sober life. After residential rehab, an intensive outpatient program and sober living program will allow you to re-establish a more independent living situation while you receive ongoing personalized treatment and recovery support services. Online IOP is also an option if you cannot attend face-to-face IOP sessions. This long-term support will make it easier to return to work, school, and gradually assume other daily responsibilities as you continue to prioritize your recovery and develop the skills you learned in rehab.
Where to Detox From Heroin?
Our medical heroin detox facilities in Austin and Houston are safe and supportive places to begin your addiction recovery. The experienced and friendly staff at Briarwood will ensure that your heroin detox experience is as comfortable as possible and that you are treated with the utmost care and respect. From the moment you enter either of our facilities, you’ll receive nothing less than the highest quality medical and therapeutic care available.
Before you arrive: what to expect from our detox covers the medical assessment, how long a stay usually runs, the privacy options and the rooms themselves.
Coverage
Our center is in-network with many insurances
Type your plan below to check it, or call and we will verify your benefits with your insurer directly. Free, and with no obligation to admit.
Takes about two minutes · Or call (866) 710-7710
Talk to someone now
Admissions is staffed 24 hours a day. One call tells you what your insurance covers and whether detox is the right first step.