Making the decision to stop using heroin is one of the most important choices a person can make. It is also one of the most difficult. The physical dependence that heroin creates makes withdrawal intensely uncomfortable, and many people who try to quit on their own find themselves using again simply to make the symptoms stop. Medical detox provides a safer, more comfortable path through withdrawal and serves as the essential first step toward lasting recovery.
At The Bluffs in Sherrodsville, Ohio, we provide medically supervised heroin detox in a peaceful setting that supports healing from the very first day. This guide explains what happens during heroin detox, describes the timeline you can expect, and shows how our approach helps people move successfully from detox into comprehensive addiction treatment.
Understanding Heroin Dependence and Withdrawal
Heroin affects the brain’s opioid receptors, producing intense feelings of pleasure while also changing brain chemistry over time. With repeated use, the brain adapts to the presence of heroin and begins to rely on it to function normally. This physical dependence means that when someone stops using heroin, their body reacts strongly to the sudden absence of the drug.
Withdrawal occurs because the brain and body need time to readjust to functioning without heroin. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, withdrawal symptoms can begin within hours of the last dose and typically peak within one to three days. While heroin withdrawal is rarely life-threatening, it can be extremely uncomfortable and is a major reason why many people struggle to stop using.
Medical detox addresses these challenges by providing 24-hour supervision and medications that ease withdrawal symptoms. Rather than suffering through the process alone, people in medical detox receive care that makes withdrawal manageable. This approach significantly increases the chances of completing detox and transitioning successfully into treatment.
The Heroin Withdrawal Timeline
Understanding what to expect during withdrawal helps reduce anxiety and allows people to prepare mentally for the process. While individual experiences vary based on factors like duration of use, amount used, and overall health, most people follow a similar general timeline.
Hours 6 to 12: Early Symptoms Begin
Withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 6 to 12 hours after the last dose of heroin. Early symptoms often feel like the onset of flu, including anxiety, restlessness, muscle aches, and increased tearing of the eyes. Many people also experience yawning, sweating, and a runny nose during this initial phase. Cravings for heroin may already be intense.
Hours 12 to 48: Symptoms Intensify
As hours pass, symptoms grow stronger. Physical discomfort increases, with muscle and bone pain becoming more pronounced. Gastrointestinal symptoms emerge, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Sleep becomes difficult, and anxiety and agitation typically worsen. Some people experience goosebumps and chills alternating with sweating.
Days 2 to 3: Peak Intensity
Most people experience their most severe symptoms during days two and three. The physical discomfort reaches its peak during this period, and psychological symptoms like depression and irritability are often strongest. This is the point where many people attempting to quit without medical support give up and return to using. In medical detox, medications and clinical support help people push through this difficult phase.
Days 4 to 7: Gradual Improvement
After the peak, symptoms begin to subside. Physical symptoms like nausea and muscle pain decrease, and most people start feeling noticeably better each day. Fatigue is common during this phase as the body recovers. Some residual symptoms may linger, but the worst is typically over by the end of the first week.
Weeks 2 and Beyond: Post-Acute Withdrawal
While acute physical withdrawal usually resolves within a week, some people experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome that can last weeks or months. Symptoms may include mood swings, sleep disturbances, low energy, and ongoing cravings. These symptoms are typically less intense than acute withdrawal but require ongoing support and treatment to manage.
Medications Used in Heroin Detox
Medical detox employs FDA-approved medications that significantly reduce the discomfort of withdrawal and help prevent relapse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse considers medication an essential component of opioid use disorder treatment, noting that research supports medication as the first line of treatment.
Buprenorphine, often prescribed under brand names like Suboxone or Subutex, is a partial opioid agonist that activates opioid receptors enough to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the intense high of heroin. It can be started 12 to 18 hours after the last heroin use and provides significant relief from withdrawal discomfort.
Methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist that has been used for opioid dependence treatment for more than 50 years. It reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings while blocking the euphoric effects of heroin. Methadone must be administered through certified programs and requires careful dosing.
Lofexidine, sold under the brand name Lucemyra, represents the first FDA-approved non-opioid medication specifically for opioid withdrawal symptoms. It can help manage symptoms like sweating, chills, anxiety, and muscle aches without activating opioid receptors.
Additional medications address specific symptoms. Clonidine helps with anxiety, sweating, and agitation. Anti-nausea medications provide relief from gastrointestinal distress. Sleep aids may be used short-term to address insomnia. The medical team adjusts medications throughout detox based on each person’s symptoms and response.
What to Expect at The Bluffs
Our drug and alcohol detox program provides comprehensive medical support in a comfortable, healing environment. From the moment you arrive at our 80-acre campus in eastern Ohio, you receive care designed to make the detox process as manageable as possible.
Arrival and Assessment
Upon arrival, our medical team conducts a thorough assessment to understand your specific situation. This includes evaluating your substance use history, physical health, mental health, and any co-occurring conditions. Based on this assessment, we develop an individualized detox plan that addresses your unique needs.
Medical Monitoring
Throughout detox, medical staff provide 24-hour monitoring. Vital signs are checked regularly, and symptoms are assessed to ensure medications are working effectively. If complications arise, medical professionals are immediately available to respond. This constant supervision provides safety that simply is not possible when detoxing at home.
Medication Management
Our medication-assisted treatment program uses proven medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Medications are adjusted throughout the process based on your symptoms and progress. The goal is to keep you comfortable enough to complete detox and transition smoothly into the next phase of treatment.
Supportive Environment
The Bluffs provides more than just medical care. Our peaceful woodland campus offers a natural setting that promotes healing. Private rooms ensure comfort and privacy during this vulnerable time. Nutritious meals support physical recovery, and our staff provides emotional support throughout the process.
Why Medical Detox Matters
Attempting to detox from heroin without medical support poses significant risks. The discomfort of withdrawal leads many people to relapse simply to make the symptoms stop. More dangerous is the fact that tolerance drops rapidly during withdrawal. If someone returns to using after even a brief period of abstinence and takes their usual dose, the risk of overdose increases dramatically.
Medical detox addresses both concerns. By managing symptoms, it helps people complete the withdrawal process rather than giving up partway through. By providing a supervised, substance-free environment, it prevents the impulsive use that could lead to overdose. These factors make medical detox significantly safer than attempting to quit alone.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine emphasizes that withdrawal management alone is not sufficient treatment for opioid use disorder. Detox must be followed by comprehensive treatment to address the underlying addiction. At The Bluffs, detox represents the beginning of a longer treatment journey, not an end in itself.
From Detox to Treatment
Completing detox clears heroin from the body and ends acute physical dependence, but it does not address the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of addiction. These factors require ongoing treatment through residential or outpatient programs. Without this continued care, the risk of relapse remains high.
Our inpatient treatment program provides the next level of care after detox. Residential treatment typically lasts 28 to 45 days or longer, depending on individual needs. During this time, you participate in individual therapy, group counseling, and educational sessions that address the roots of addiction and build skills for lasting recovery.
Treatment approaches at The Bluffs include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps identify and change the thought patterns that contribute to substance use. EMDR therapy addresses trauma that often underlies addiction. Group therapy provides peer support and helps develop healthy relationship skills. Family involvement repairs damaged relationships and builds a supportive home environment for recovery.
For those who have experienced trauma, our approach recognizes the connection between past experiences and current substance use. Many people who struggle with heroin addiction have histories of trauma that contribute to their use. Addressing these underlying issues is essential for long-term recovery.
Ohio’s Opioid Crisis and Path Forward
Ohio has been hit particularly hard by the opioid epidemic, though recent data offers hope. According to state reports, Ohio saw approximately 4,452 unintentional drug overdose deaths in 2023, a 9% decrease from the previous year. Provisional data for 2024 suggests an even larger decline of 35% or more, representing one of the biggest improvements in the nation.
Despite this progress, heroin and other opioids continue to claim lives across the state. Fentanyl, often mixed with heroin or sold as heroin, was involved in 78% of overdose deaths in 2023. This contamination makes every use potentially deadly and increases the urgency of getting into treatment.
Treatment works. People recover from heroin addiction every day, going on to rebuild their lives, repair relationships, and contribute to their communities. The path begins with acknowledging the problem and taking the first step toward help. Detox provides that crucial first step by addressing the physical dependence that keeps people trapped in active addiction.
Insurance and Accessing Treatment
Cost concerns should not prevent anyone from getting help for heroin addiction. Most insurance plans cover addiction treatment, including detox and residential care. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires insurers to cover substance use treatment at the same level as other medical care.
The Bluffs works with many major insurance providers, including Anthem, BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, Medical Mutual of Ohio, and UnitedHealthcare. We also work with Ohio Department of Veteran Services for eligible veterans. Our admissions team can verify your insurance coverage and explain your benefits before you arrive.
You can check your coverage through our insurance verification page. Submitting your information takes just a few minutes, and our team will respond quickly with details about your benefits. We work to make treatment accessible to everyone who needs it.
Why Choose The Bluffs
Since 2017, The Bluffs has helped people from across Ohio and beyond overcome heroin addiction. Our Joint Commission accreditation and CARF certification reflect our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of care. We follow ASAM criteria to ensure appropriate treatment placement and care planning.
Our 80-acre campus provides a unique healing environment. Set in the woodlands of eastern Ohio, the property was formerly a resort and retains features like an indoor pool and fitness center. Nature-assisted recovery and adventure therapy complement traditional clinical approaches, engaging people in their recovery on multiple levels.
The medical team at The Bluffs includes physicians, nurses, and clinicians experienced in addiction medicine. Our approach combines medical expertise with genuine compassion, treating each person with dignity while providing the intensive support that early recovery requires. We understand that asking for help takes courage, and we honor that courage with excellent care.
To learn more about our heroin addiction treatment program or to begin the admissions process, call us at 330-919-9228. Our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions and help you take the first step toward recovery.
Taking the First Step
If you or someone you love is struggling with heroin addiction, waiting only allows the situation to worsen. Every day of continued use carries the risk of overdose, health complications, and deeper entrenchment in addiction. The withdrawal you fear is manageable with proper medical support, and the life waiting on the other side of recovery is worth the temporary discomfort of detox.
You can find answers to common questions on our FAQ page, or you can speak directly with our admissions team at any time. We understand the fears and doubts that accompany the decision to seek help, and we are here to provide honest information and compassionate support.
Recovery is possible. Thousands of people have overcome heroin addiction and rebuilt meaningful lives. With the right support, you can too. Call The Bluffs today at 330-919-9228 to start your journey.
Ohio Recovery Resources
Multiple resources exist to support Ohioans in recovery from opioid addiction. The Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services department provides information and referrals through the Ohio CareLine at 1-855-378-4373. The Ohio Crisis Text Line is available by texting 4HOPE to 741741.
Local recovery support meetings help people maintain sobriety after treatment. Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and SMART Recovery all have meetings throughout Ohio. These free peer support groups provide ongoing connection with others in recovery.
Crisis Resources
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available now. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text 988 to speak with a trained counselor.
For drug-related emergencies, call 911 immediately. Ohio’s Good Samaritan Law provides legal protections for people who call for help during an overdose, so never hesitate to call if someone’s life may be in danger.
The SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 provides free treatment referrals and information 24 hours a day.
Learn More
For additional information about heroin addiction and treatment, explore these authoritative resources:
NIDA: Treatments for Heroin Use Disorder
NIDA: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
