Heroin is a member of the opiate family of drugs derived from the opium poppy. Known by the scientific name, diamorphine, it is rated as the deadliest and most destructive of the top 20 recreational drugs. It is destructive in terms of its potential for addiction and the physical harm that results from its use. Conventional methods of heroin detox revolve around either the use of chemical analogues that compete with the drug for binding sites in the brain or the Twelve-Step Program adapted from that used successfully by recovering alcoholics.

Methods

Two extreme approaches to diamorphine detoxification are presented. One, called instant detox, involves injecting a combination of drugs while the patient is under an anesthetic. Reportedly, the body is cleansed of the drug within twenty minutes. The patient is required to take oral naltrexone for a year afterward. At the other extreme is do-it-yourself cold turkey, a methodical process of discontinuing the drug without checking into a clinic or attending meetings.

Instant Detox

Instant detox was first used by an Austrian doctor in 1988. He injected addicts with naloxone, the intravenous analogue to the oral naltrexone. By itself, the naloxone treatment cleared the drug but caused the patient immense discomfort. The doctor added a sedative to make the patients more comfortable. This approach reduces the drug clearance time from a period of several weeks down to a matter of a few days.

Cold Turkey

At the other end of the spectrum lies DIY cold turkey. Cold turkey is a term meaning the abrupt stoppage of a drug rather than gradually taking smaller and smaller doses or using drug antagonists. DIY involves careful planning if it is to succeed.

The Plan

Instead of waking up one morning and deciding today is the day to stop using heroin, the individual is advised to plan ahead and set aside a two-week period during which to stop taking the drug. Building up a small nest egg to use for intermittent rewards during the detoxification process is strongly encouraged to help succeed. The family is sent on vacation and friends are asked not to stop by or telephone during the detox period.

Where To Stay

Find a comfortable place to stay for the duration, some place where you can surround yourself with food and drink of your choice, watch television and read books. If your home isn’t suitable, stay with parents or non-addicted friends. This is not an easy way out. The first few days will be filled with painful muscle cramps, shivers, chills, depression and insomnia.

Rewards

By taking it one day at a time, setting small milestones and rewarding yourself with a nice meal, a DVD or a new outfit, it can be done. By the end of the two weeks, possibly sooner, your body will have expelled the drug and you will be on your way to complete rehabilitation and a drug-free, productive life.

Two Extremes

DIY cold turkey and instant detoxification are two widely disparate methods of heroin medical detox. The first one is painful and unpleasant but ultimately safe. The second is experimental and has not been proven to be safe. The risks must be weighed against the certain death that will result from continued heroin use. It is always recommended to speak to a doctor or family counseling in addiction before beginning any form of drug detoxification.