Heroin Rehab Center in West Virginia

First and foremost, we should strongly advise you to not attempt to detox from heroin on your own. It is a very dangerous process to initiate without medical supervision, and heroin rehab centers across the nation will attest to this.

To many, detoxing by themselves sounds appealing because the withdrawal process doesn’t last long. Indeed, as AC outlines, the withdrawal timeline typically only lasts for a week. This fact does not account for the serious risks involved or the post-detox challenges ahead. To explain, let us break those factors down.

That is not to say that unsupervised detox is often fatal. WebMD cites Aaron Sternlicht, LMHC, CASAC, who clarifies:

“Contrary to common belief, heroin withdrawal actually has a low fatality rate[.] Although complications can occur from opioid withdrawal, death from heroin and other opioids usually results from an overdose, not withdrawal”.

In itself, this is a true statement. However, withdrawal symptoms can put the individual at serious risk in 3 key ways:

• Physical harm. Symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting can lead to serious dehydration and even death, as the World Health Organization (WHO) finds. Fatigue and muscle spasms can also endanger the individual during everyday activities, such as driving or operating professional equipment.
• Psychological harm. Depression and anxiety can also directly fuel addiction, especially in cases of dual diagnosis. Co-occurring mental health disorders can increase the likelihood of an overdose, which does carry a much higher fatality rate.
• Emotional harm. Finally, failed attempts at detox can discourage the individual from ever seeking treatment. Maintaining an addiction because of this can also “enhance HIV and/or HCV infection risk”, as the National Institute of Health (NIH) finds.

This is why Sternlicht also concludes that:

“[O]pioid withdrawal can be life-threatening, and it is always encouraged for individuals to seek out an addiction specialist and a supervised medical detox when withdrawing from heroin.”

The primary reason for this lies in withdrawal symptoms themselves. The exact intensity is of course subjective and will vary, but the symptoms are typically severe by nature. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) identifies the following withdrawal symptoms:

• Restlessness
• Severe muscle and bone pain
• Sleep problems
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Cold flashes with goose bumps
• Uncontrollable leg movements
• Severe heroin cravings

To those, AAC adds the following:

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Nervousness
• Agitation
• Depression

Needless to say, the vast majority of such symptoms often disrupt one’s daily life too much to ignore. The cravings alone are powerful enough to foil many attempts, and an initial failure may completely discourage attempts at recovery. Even if you do overcome that challenge, the other symptoms can present very serious risks. Our West Virginia heroin rehab specialists have seen them manifold, which is why we advise against it so strongly.

Lastly, as AC also noted above, detox always carries the risk of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). This is typically due to neurological changes caused by heroin use, which heroin rehab centers are equipped to handle.

The symptoms of PAWS are equally powerful and arguably just as dangerous. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) identifies the following PAWS symptoms:

• Difficulty with cognitive tasks, such as learning, problem-solving, or memory recall
• Irritability
• Feelings of anxiety or panic
• Depressed mood
• Obsessive-compulsive behaviors
• Difficulty maintaining social relationships
• Craving originally abused substances
• Apathy or pessimism
• Disturbances in sleep patterns
• Increased sensitivity to stress

Worse still, these symptoms are far less controllable or predictable. AC finds that they “may continue inconsistently for months”, and UCLA that they “might flare up even without any clear stimulus”.

For all of these reasons, we strongly recommend that you only attempt to detox at a medical detox center. Medication, medical assistance, supervision, and psychological and psychiatric support will all help guarantee your safety throughout the process.

All that said, it is just as necessary to distinguish between substance tolerance and dependence. Then, we may distinguish them both from addiction, as research continues to suggest.

Tolerance is a phenomenon that occurs after continued substance use. As the body adjusts to the substance intake it develops a tolerance to it, diminishing its effects. In some cases, this can indeed be dangerous. In seeking the desired effect, substance-tolerant individuals may take higher doses, thus risking a potential overdose. Still, tolerance can occur naturally for many substances, such as caffeine. It does not equal dependence, let alone addiction, but can be a warning sign.

In contrast, dependence is a state where the body cannot properly function without a substance. It has grown dependent on it, and abstaining from it can cause withdrawal symptoms. In the everyday example of caffeine, caffeine dependence can result in symptoms like headaches. This state is a clearer warning sign of addiction, and often requires professional assistance.

Finally, addiction crosses the threshold and makes the individual addicted to the substance. WebMD identifies addiction symptoms like the following:

• Taking a substance without immediately needing it
• Thinking about the substance often
• Hiding the fact you’re using the substance
• Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Engaging in criminal behavior to get it

In brief, tolerance and dependence are both strong warning signs. If you’re under medical supervision and are managing them, you may very well be fine. If you have crossed over into addiction, however, you should seek help as quickly as possible to prevent further complications.

If you do choose Harmony Ridge Treatment as your guide on the journey to rehabilitation, getting started is as easy as it is discreet.

To get in contact with our admissions agents, you can either contact us directly at (855) 942-3797 or fill out our admission form. Once we come in contact, we will:

• Explore the basics of your addiction. Doing so will allow us to recommend the programs best suited to your needs, as well as provide any information you may need beforehand.
• Provide financial guidance. As we will also cover later, we accept most major insurance providers – and we want to be as clear and thorough about final costs as possible.
• Answer your questions. You may wonder which items you’re allowed to bring with you, how long the programs last, and so on. Our representatives will answer such questions thoroughly to offer you peace of mind.

Once everything is in order, we will process your application and make all necessary arrangements for your travel and relocation to our facilities. Our West Virginia heroin rehab center will welcome you, and allow you to begin your journey to a new life.

Here it is crucial to stress that each addiction differs drastically from the next. Addiction severity varies quite significantly, and how you progress through rehabilitation is also a key factor. In addition, you may also have such factors as outside duties to see too, which may require that you live at home. For these reasons we do not recommend a program outright; instead, we personalize each treatment by opting for the programs which best serve your needs.

The two programs patients are most familiar with are inpatient and outpatient, so here we may begin by comparing the two.

Our West Virginia Heroin Rehab Center’s Inpatient Program

In brief, our residential rehab program is the equivalent of an inpatient program that our heroin rehab centers offer. It is typically ideal for more severe cases, and its key offerings and characteristics are:

• More intensity. Our residential program offers the most intensive care among our programs. It entails 24/7 medical supervision in a clinical setting, and requires more hours of therapy.
• Designated residence. To achieve this high level of care, our residential program requires that patients live in designated facilities. This does allow for swifter support and access to therapists and counselors.
• More focus on medication management. Leveraging its setting, our residential program focuses more on the medication needs of patients. This makes it better suited for such cases as severe dual diagnoses, where psychiatric support is required.

Understandably, our residential program typically works best immediately after medication-assisted treatment. It can serve as the link between detox and IOP programs if needed, or as a standalone step on the journey to recovery.

Our West Virginia Heroin Rehab Center’s Intensive Outpatient Program

In contrast, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) comes with a different focus. It best suits milder cases and offers more flexibility, while still being more intensive than general outpatient programs. In comparison to our residential program its characteristics are:

• Less intensity. Our IOP entails approximately 9 hours of service per week, in three 3-hour sessions. It does include pharmacotherapy and medication management where needed, but is overall less intensive than residential programs.
• Freedom of residence. Because our IOP best caters to less severe cases, patients are allowed to live at home during therapy. This flexibility allows them to continue their other duties uninterrupted, such as work or caring for children and the elderly.
• More focus on therapy. Finally, our IOP leans more heavily on individual and group therapy. IOP patients are typically better suited for this focus, as they begin to develop relapse prevention tools and socialize more.

Therefore, our IOP can also serve as a stepping stone toward such programs as sober living homes – as we’ll discuss next. For milder cases, it can also be the only program one needs to regain their freedom from addiction.

Between these two programs, you can get the levels of care that best suit you. Whether you need freedom of residence or can dedicate yourself to recovery will also be a factor. However, the primary differentiator between the two lies in the setting; our residential program offers 24-hour medical supervision and care, whereas our IOP does not.

This factor is crucial for a few different reasons, which primarily boil down to the severity of your addiction. Our residential program may thus be a better fit for you if you need:

• Strict medical supervision, if you’re struggling to detox or are grappling with withdrawal symptoms
• Psychiatric care, particularly in cases of co-occurring mental health disorders in dual diagnosis
• Pharmacotherapy and medication management, in cases of other conditions which require medication

Other factors may also necessitate closer medical supervision, including ones of age, gender, and former occupation. Rehab for pregnant women and rehab for veterans, for example, often require more diligence and a more specialized approach. In all such cases, unless the case is otherwise distinctly milder, we recommend residential programs.

Finally, as you complete your main treatment, you may then consider a sober living home before continuing to aftercare. Both of these steps are quite substantial, as heroin rehab centers will attest to, so here we can cover them both.

Sober living homes typically serve as the final step toward rehabilitation, not as a standalone program. These are residential facilities, most commonly privately owned, and their rules can slightly vary. In all cases, they offer very notable benefits to recovery, including:

• Allowing individuals who have largely recovered to live autonomously, rebuilding their confidence and self-reliance.
• Offering them a sense of structure, as they come with house rules, chore schedules, and curfews.
• Presenting ample opportunities for group outings, family visits, and general socialization.

In contrast, aftercare treatment refers to the final step of recovery, where the individual is entirely free to do as they wish. In this phase, you will have already developed trigger management and relapse prevention tools through prior programs and will now have the opportunity to put them into practice. To do so, aftercare will offer any of the following, depending on your case and needs:

• Participation in alumni programs
• Staying in a sober living home
• Connecting with a sponsor
• Attending 12 step-based programs
• Receiving additional therapy

Naturally, aftercare is instrumental in relapse prevention. For this reason, our aftercare program offers open communication channels with your therapists and other specialists, offering a robust support network for whenever you may need it.

Having mentioned them above, here we should also clarify 12-step programs. These are not a feature exclusive to aftercare, but are a key offering of all of our West Virginia heroin rehab programs. They are also not exclusive to alcohol rehab, despite their origins.

12-step programs originate from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Evoking spirituality and addressing the process of recovery from alcohol addiction, AA provided the foundation for highly structured therapy centered on these steps. Today, the 12 Steps have inspired the 12-step model, which many programs specific to drugs and other substances rely on. They use it to create robust and focused therapy sessions with demonstrable effectiveness.

AAC outlines the principles and benefits of the model as follows:

• The ability to recognize and admit that one is experiencing an addiction problem
• A surrender to the fact that the addiction exists and a decision to seek control through an outer guide
• Self-observation and awareness of the behaviors that were part of and arose from the addiction, as well as those that help promote self-restraint
• A chance to practice that restraint and build self-esteem in one’s positive capabilities
• Achievement of self-acceptance and the ability to change behaviors
• Compassion, both for those who have been affected by the addiction and for others who similarly struggle with addiction
• Tools that make the process a continual practice throughout the individual’s life

Of course, each program will differ from the next. Still, all such programs follow this framework and yield remarkable results, as NIH finds.

Of course, designing, personalizing, and overseeing these programs requires ample experience in the field of addiction treatment. At Harmony Ridge Recovery, we are keenly aware of the responsibility we carry as addiction treatment providers. We approach treatment with utmost professionalism and unwavering diligence, as our team consists of licensed, seasoned experts in their fields.

Our staff includes clinicians and therapists, case managers, alumni coordinators, and more. All of them are fully certified and experienced in their respective positions, and many have seen addiction in their close circles. It is because of them that we are confident in the quality of our services, and that we pride ourselves as the best West Virginia heroin rehab center.

How to Help a Loved One With a Heroin Addiction?

Having discussed all of the above, you may be seeking rehab for a loved one instead of yourself. In this case, let us outline how you may best support them, as we feel all heroin rehab centers should do.

If you’re past the early stages and are certain of an addiction, you should then intervene as quickly as possible. Being swift and decisive does not mean being abrupt or forceful, however; aggression may have very adverse outcomes.

Instead, you should be thoughtful and supportive. In line with MedlinePlus’s recommendations, we strongly suggest that you:

• Be calm. It’s not easy to address such issues calmly, but you must remain controlled and supportive. Do not confront them directly, lecture them, or accuse them; doing so may drive them away.
• Don’t label them. Labels like “addict” or “sick”, often have adverse effects too. Focus on the problem rather than the individual.
• Help them in person. Offer to make arrangements for them and accompany them to therapists and medical professionals yourself. Staying by their side will help them immensely.
• Don’t give up. It is not easy for an addicted individual to accept their condition or agree to seek help. Offer as much support as you can in a healthy way. 

Naturally, each individual will respond differently to interventions. If you’re finding it hard to support your loved one, please contact us; we will do our best to suggest the best course of action for you.

Finally, here we can consolidate what sets us apart from our heroin addiction treatment peers. In brief, our unique benefits are the following three.

#1 Individualized Treatment for Each Client

As we’ve outlined above, we do not make broad and careless program recommendations. All of our programs follow robust industry standards, and all have been tried and tested manifold. However, we deeply understand that each case of addiction differs from the next.

To address this, we pride ourselves on flexible, progressive, and individualized treatment for each and every client. With a keen focus on case management, we recommend the programs and therapies that best cater to each patient’s needs. As they progress through their journey to recovery, we adjust our methods, treatments, and recommendations accordingly. Heroin addiction treatment does not have a one-size-fits-all formula, and we at Harmony Ridge understand this well.

#2 Peaceful Setting & Pleasant Facility

We offer a uniquely peaceful setting and pristine, state-of-the-art facilities. Surrounded by the idyllic West Virginia countryside, our locations are serene and help our patients attain peace of mind. This proximity to nature offers ample psychological benefits, as PsychologyToday finds, which demonstrably help rehabilitation from all addictions.

In addition, our clinical and residential facilities are fully equipped to meet every case’s needs. They both offer a safe and welcoming environment, removed from harmful potential triggers and disrupting distractions. If you’d like to see them for yourself, you may visit our photo gallery or take a video tour of our facilities.

#3 Sober Activities That Boost Your Creativity & Help Your Recovery

All of our programs offer ample therapeutic activities to further help the individual grow and thrive, expressing themselves and moving away from addiction. These activities do differ depending on the program, but they all follow the principle of holistic therapy which we strive to uphold.

These therapeutic activities include:

• Art therapy
• Adventure therapy
• Biofeedback
• Music therapy
• Outdoor therapy
• Yoga
• Guided meditation
• Reiki and tai chi
• Spiritual therapy

Having covered the subject of heroin addiction itself, here we may also reassure you of our treatment costs. We understand that heroin rehab centers may seem prohibiting cost-wise, especially in such trying post-COVID times. Still, you can rest assured we accept all major insurance providers, including:

• Humana Insurance
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Tricare Insurance
• PEIA Insurance

However, there may be cases where your plan or provider does not cover the full expense of your treatment plan. This may be due to prior addiction history, treatment duration and needs, and other factors unique to your state or plan. For such cases, our representatives will also explore other payment options with you, including self-pay, personal loans, and Medicaid. If you need such assistance, or any other information, feel free to give us a call at (855) 942-3797. Our representatives are available 24/7, and will always be more than happy to answer your questions.

Whether it’s for yourself or a loved one, heroin addiction is a very challenging ordeal. It can inhibit personal life and growth, harm relationships, and present very real risks to the person’s physical health and wellbeing. It is not easy to come to terms with, and the first step of seeking help is always the hardest.

We at Harmony Ridge Recovery understand these hardships very well, and feel fully confident in our ability to help you. Our West Virginia heroin rehab center comes fully equipped to meet your needs, in a safe and welcoming environment. If you’re ready to seek help, we’re here to accompany you on a journey to recovery like no other. Contact us today, and let us reclaim the life you deserve.

Why is heroin so addictive?

Heroin is indeed highly addictive, much more so than many other substances. There are a few different reasons for this, alongside other factors which affect final addiction rates and fatal overdose rates.

A primary reason lies in its very powerful effects once consumed. The individual feels very intense euphoria and wakefulness, which make it highly desirable. Exact effects will of course vary, but heroin is generally very alluring.

A second reason lies in how it affects the brain. As a powerful depressant, it effectively rewires the brain and kindles dependency. Cravings soon become too powerful to ignore, and withdrawal symptoms are often too severe for the individual to attempt to quit.

Finally, heroin is consumed in different ways and in combination with other substances – often fentanyl. This broadens its appeal as well, driving more people to addiction and gripping them shortly after. Unfortunately, combinations with other substances also increase heroin’s already notable fatal overdose rates.

Can I detox from heroin without medical assistance?

In most cases, no. This question often stems from one of two intents; to either detox without any professional help, or to detox under professional care but without medication.

Attempting to detox from heroin on your own is both very unlikely to succeed and highly likely to put you at risk. We strongly suggest that you do not try to do so, and kindly urge you to seek medical and professional assistance.

Heroin grips the brain – so withdrawal symptoms are typically too severe to overcome naturally. Even after initial detox, the obstacle of PAWS will emerge shortly as well. Those two factors in combination make natural detox very unlikely to succeed, even under medical supervision.

That said, there is no need to fear medication-assisted treatment (MAT). The medications used are approved by the FDA, and have been proven to not kindle addictions of their own. We understand the aversion to them at that stage, but MAT medications are demonstrably safe and effective.

Which program works best for heroin addiction?

It strictly depends on the individual case and its surrounding factors. Put differently, there is no one program which always works best for heroin addiction specifically. Rather, it depends on the severity of each addition, co-occurring mental health disorders, and similar factors unique to each case.

Typically, milder cases will require MAT, followed by either an inpatient program or a IOP (intensive outpatient program). If substantial progress is made, a brief IOP might suffice before advancing to aftercare and sober living homes. In contrast, more severe cases will typically require longer inpatient treatment and more thorough IOPs. They will also often require more extensive aftercare, including 12-step programs and longer sober living home stays.

All in all, every program works best in sequence toward the common goal of rehabilitation. There is no one program which works best in isolation, and program appropriateness should be decided on a case-by-case basis.

How long does heroin treatment last?

Total heroin treatment will vary quite significantly. As noted above, heroin addictions are often harder to tackle, and each individual case will differ from the next in many ways. Each individual will make different progress, and may encounter different challenges along the way. As such, it is very hard to provide an exact expected duration.

Still, detox typically lasts for one to two weeks. Inpatient treatment may last anywhere from a month to three, but there isn’t a set duration which works for everyone. IOPs typically last from one month to four, and such aftercare as sober living should typically last for at least three months but can extend to eighteen months or more.

In brief, how long heroin treatment lasts will always depend on the exact programs one needs. A year may sometimes be an accurate enough estimate, but it truly depends on each case’s characteristics and the individual’s progress.

Does heroin treatment prevent relapse?

Unfortunately, no. Relapse is very common for many addictions, and heroin addiction is no exception. If anything, its powerful effects on the brain might make a relapse more likely than some other substances.

Still, while relapse may not yet be fully avoidable, long and thorough programs significantly lower relapse rates. Studies have found a strong correlation between robust aftercare programs, following evidence-based treatment, and lower likelihood of relapse. Sober living homes in particular have been very effective in maintaining abstinence from all substances, heroin included.

Therefore, while treatment cannot rule out a relapse, thorough treatment and strong support networks can help prevent it. If you do choose Harmony Ridge Recovery for heroin treatment, our unyielding professionalism and extensive aftercare will strive to minimize the risk of relapse as much as possible.