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Signs of Withdrawal From Heroin

Contributor
By Cheryl Hinneburg
eHow Contributing Writer
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Signs of Withdrawal From Heroin
Signs of Withdrawal From Heroin

Heroin withdrawal is one of the most intense withdrawals to experience. To compare the signs of this to anything else would reflect a near death experience. The symptoms are so severe that in a good majority of cases the addict must be either hospitalized or must enter a detox facility to ease some of the misery.

    The First Signs

  1. It does not take long after a heroin addict misses a dose before he will begin to get sick. Although, initially the sickness has not peaked, it will show itself as an upset stomach, anxiety and moodiness.
  2. Signs of Significance

  3. Miserably sick
    Miserably sick
    The withdrawal can fluctuate with the degree of tolerance. Signs of heroin withdrawal will include sweating, vomiting, insomnia, cold sweats, pain in the limbs, yawning, sneezing, severe bone and muscle aches, diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever.
  4. Time Frame

  5. The worst of the withdrawals are during the first 72 hour period after the last dose of heroin. Goose bumps and muscle spasms in the legs that cause an uncontrollable kicking motion are also common during this time.
  6. Considerations

  7. Many addicts complain of back pain during this initial withdrawal period even if they never had any prior back problems. It is also possible for the addict to suffer from extreme depression and have thoughts of suicide during this time.
  8. Long-term Signs

  9. Once the initial signs subside there will still be some other withdrawal symptoms that can last for several weeks, especially the depression, no pain tolerance, insomnia and strong cravings for the drug.
  10. Prevention/Solution

  11. To avoid these severe heroin withdrawal symptoms, addicts can seek professional help in advance of quitting. Medical professionals that are experienced with drug withdrawals have numerous means of helping to ease the discomfort.

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eHow Article: Signs of Withdrawal From Heroin

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