Heroin dependence changes the brain and body, and withdrawal can be a frightening barrier standing between someone and treatment. Symptoms can begin within hours and include muscle aches, nausea, sweating, and intense cravings — which is part of why attempting to detox alone can be dangerous.
What happens during heroin withdrawal?
Heroin blocks the body’s stress response and floods the brain with dopamine. When use stops, dopamine levels crash while noradrenaline spikes, creating anxiety and insomnia. The nervous system rebounds, which is part of why withdrawal produces muscle and bone pain.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms: physical and emotional
Physical symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, sweating, chills, muscle aches, yawning, tremors, weakness, restlessness, a rapid heartbeat, and nasal or eye discharge.
Psychological symptoms often include anxiety, depression, paranoia, hallucinations, irritability, vivid dreams, insomnia, social withdrawal, guilt, and hopelessness. Cravings during this window pose a real relapse risk, made more dangerous by the fact that tolerance drops quickly during detox.
Heroin withdrawal timeline
Acute withdrawal typically spans one to two weeks:
- 6–12 hours: initial anxiety and muscle aches begin.
- 1–3 days: symptoms peak with sweating and gastrointestinal distress.
- 7–10 days: physical symptoms linger alongside persistent psychological symptoms.
- 1–2 weeks: physical symptoms subside, though mood-triggered psychological symptoms can remain.
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) can continue for weeks to months afterward, with anxiety, mood swings, low energy, and reduced ability to feel pleasure.
How long does heroin withdrawal last?
Acute symptoms typically last one to two weeks, while PAWS can persist longer depending on the duration, method, and frequency of use, along with a person’s overall physical and mental health. Heavy, prolonged use — especially combined with other substances — tends to intensify and lengthen symptoms. Professional medical detox can help reduce the duration and severity of acute withdrawal.
Medications used during heroin detox
Medication-assisted treatment can reduce cravings and relapse risk during detox. At Hickory Grove Recovery, this can include medications like Suboxone alongside comfort medications such as clonidine and anti-nausea or anti-diarrheal support, matched to each person’s individualized plan.
Safe heroin detox near Little Rock, AR
Hickory Grove Recovery, located in Morrilton, provides medically supervised heroin detox alongside comprehensive addiction and co-occurring disorder treatment — including MAT and aftercare planning. Our team is available 24/7 to help you get started.
Call us at 501.509.5143 to learn more.