Tolerance and dependence develop very quickly with heroin because of the short acting nature of the drug:
Tolerance - this means that a person needs more of the drug to achieve the same effects they felt previously with smaller amounts.
Dependence - this means that the drug becomes central to a user’s life.
Withdrawal - stopping or cutting down heroin use can be difficult. The severity of withdrawal symptoms and how long they will last vary from person to person. People cope better with heroin withdrawal if they understand what is going to happen. Withdrawal symptoms usually peak between the two and four days following last use. However, minor symptoms such as sleep difficulties can last for another two to three weeks. Some common heroin withdrawal symptoms include runny eyes and nose, sneezing, yawning, sweating, feeling agitated and irritable, goosebumps, hot and cold flushes, strong urges to use heroin, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, back pain, pain in legs or arms, headache, poor sleep and poor concentration.
While a person may have withdrawn from the body’s physical dependence on heroin there are a number of other psychological factors that may lead to an increased risk of using heroin again. Before commencing withdrawal from heroin it is important to plan ahead, work out prior to withdrawal how to deal with difficult situations that may lead to using heroin again.
When planning to withdraw from heroin use it is important to consider how to deal with:
- Physical withdrawal symptoms.
- Commitment to changing behaviour.
- High risk situation (such as cravings).
- A relapse (such as exploring the original reasons for stopping heroin use and looking at the pros and cons of turning to heroin use. Counselling can be very useful in exploring relapse issues).
- The time you once devoted to heroin (develop new interests and friends that are enjoyable and rewarding).
For more information or assistance with heroin withdrawal contact the Alcohol and Drug Information Service.