Heroin is one of the most dangerous, but popularly used drugs all over the world. Users develop a complete physical and mental dependence on this drug. It takes such a strong hold on their senses that they become addicted to this drug and just cannot stop the habit. It tears families apart and leaves an affected individual totally dependent on this drug. Before this addiction can take life, it is important to take counseling and steps to give up this habit.
It is not as easy as it sounds, though. When an individual stops taking heroin, the withdrawal symptoms like dilated pupils, tremors, watery eyes and runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, muscle cramps, insomnia, chills and irritability, are very hard on the person. These symptoms start six to eight hours after the last dose is taken and are at peak within two to three days. They last for almost a week. These home remedies help to alleviate the severity of these symptoms of heroin withdrawal.
Most Effective Home Remedies For Heroin Withdrawal
Cold Turkey Method
Going cold turkey means you should consider slowly tapering down on the dose over a few days. If you withdraw suddenly from your heroin addiction, it would result in very severe withdrawal symptoms. Wiser option is to reduce the dose gradually, and then give up completely. Now, when you will withdraw totally from heroin use, the symptoms of withdrawal will not be too severe.
Ginger
Heroin withdrawal causes nausea and vomiting in the initial stages. Your digestive system also gets worked up and you are likely to get diarrhea and stomach cramps. Ginger is the simplest and easiest home remedy to use for treating these symptoms.
It will help alleviate both the nausea and stomach cramps, improving your digestion with regular use. It is easier on the stomach than certain medications prescribed for this condition. So, grate a fresh ginger root and squeeze out its juice. Mix a little salt in a teaspoon of ginger juice and have twice a day.
Fenugreek
Another effective home remedy to treat nausea and dirrhea, which are the symptoms of heroin withdrawal, is the use of fenugreek. Just add a handful of fenugreek to a litre of water and boil for around ten minutes.
Cover the lid and let it steep. Strain and have this cooled solution throughout the day, sipping slowly on it.
Peppermint Oil
The smell of peppermint oil is refreshing and helps treat nausea in many people. If you are trying to leave heroin addiction, you are sure to face nausea in the initial days. Just drop a few drops of peppermint oil in a bowl of warm water, lean over and inhale the fumes. This will help relieve the mild feeling of nausea.
Cranberry Juice
Heroin addiction causes a heavy toxin build up in your body. To get rid of these harmful toxins, cranberry juice can be taken. It is very effective in purifying and cleansing your body from toxins.
Take some fresh cranberry juice and add equal amount of water to it. Drink it twice a day regularly. This will reduce the severity of heroin withdrawal symptoms in your body.
Lime Juice
Lime juice is another effective home remedy that will help detoxify your body when you are trying to give up on your heroin addiction. The rich vitamin C content will also help boost your immune system which becomes weak after too much of heroin addiction.
It is also rich in natural antioxidants that will help repair your damaged body tissues and skin. Drink the juice of at least three limes every day.
Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm has a very soothing effect on the nervous system and helps relax you, without the side effects that you will face with tranquilizers. It also alleviates stomach cramps and spasms in the stomach muscles.
It is very beneficial in treating heroin withdrawal as it prevents heart palpitations as well, which are one of the early withdrawal symptoms. So, just add a few fresh or dried lemon balm leaves to two cups of boiling water. Infuse for ten minutes, then strain and have this tea.
Green Tea
Green tea is being increasingly used all over the world due to its many health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants that help keep your body tissues and skin healthy. Consuming green tea is beneficial for people who are suffering from heroin withdrawal symptoms as it contains theanine, a substance that provides a tranquilizing and relaxing effect.
Thus, green tea is helpful in treating depression, which is a common symptom of heroin withdrawal. Also, it helps keep your blood pressure in check. So, drink plenty of green tea throughout the day.
Vitamin C Rich Fruits And Vegetables
Eat plenty of vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables while you are undergoing heroin withdrawal process. These will help to detoxify your system and help strengthen the body against toxins.
Eating bananas and oranges help reduce the severity of muscle cramps, which is one of the major symptoms of heroin withdrawal. These fruits also help reduce the cravings which are quite severe in the initial stages. Green and red vegetables also contain lot of vitamin C. Include these in your daily diet.
Keep Yourself Well Hydrated
While you are undergoing heroin de-addiction, it is very important to keep your body well hydrated. Water is the simplest, yet the most necessary and effective remedy for heroin withdrawal. Drinking lots of water will help to flush out the accumulated toxins from your body.
Start drinking plenty of water from the day you start the process of giving up heroin use. Heroin withdrawal symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, thus resulting in lot of water loss. Keeping yourself well hydrated is very important at this stage. If you have been vomiting, you can add some electrolyte to water and sip on it slowly. This will prevent dehydration.
Hot Baths To Relax
Heroin withdrawal drains you completely in the initial stages, but don’t just give up. At this point in time, you will be feeling a lot of anxiety and soreness in your muscles. Hot baths will help you relax and provide relief from cramps in your body.
Just soak in a hot bath for half an hour, and let yourself relax. You can even add an essential oil like lavender oil to this bath. Done at bedtime, this bath will help you to sleep well at night.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.