Last Updated:
January 30th, 2026
Heroin detox
What is heroin detox?
Heroin detox is the stage where your body and mind begin adjusting to life without opioids. The process can feel daunting, especially if heroin has become part of your daily rhythm, but detox is where repair begins. When heroin use stops, the brain’s opioid receptors, which once relied on the drug to regulate pain and emotion, start to rebalance. This shift can bring powerful withdrawal symptoms that test both patience and endurance, but it’s also what allows stability to return.
In a professional setting, detox provides a calm and structured environment where you’re supported through each stage. This helps reduce discomfort, lower the risk of relapse and prepare you for the next steps in recovery. Through this foundation, the mind and body begin working together again, which is vital for lasting change.
Do I need heroin detox?
It’s not always easy to know when heroin use has seeped into dependence. For many, what began as relief from pain or stress can slowly turn into something that feels impossible to go without. If stopping brings distress or physical discomfort, it’s likely that dependence has taken hold.
You may need heroin detox if:
- You experience restlessness or muscle aches between doses.
- Sleep or mood collapse when you try to stop.
- Cravings feel constant and hard to ignore.
- You’ve promised yourself to quit, but always return to it.
These are signs that the brain and body have adapted to heroin’s effects and can no longer function comfortably without it. Detox creates the space to safely break that cycle, helping you reintroduce normal function and rebuild control.
What heroin withdrawal feels like
Heroin withdrawal affects every part of you, and this is because the body has adjusted to the drug’s presence. When you stop abruptly, it leaves the nervous system overactive, resulting in physical discomfort and emotional instability, creating a wave that can feel hard to ride out alone.
- Muscle pain that radiates through the back and legs
- Nausea and stomach cramps
- Chills, sweating and goosebumps
- Diarrhoea or vomiting
- Tremors or restless legs
- Anxiety and agitation
- Depression or hopeless thoughts
- Trouble focusing or sleeping
- Cravings that dominate your thinking
- Pacing or constant movement
- Avoiding others out of shame or exhaustion
- Seeking relief through opioids again
These symptoms show the nervous system trying to regain control after long-term disruption. While they can feel intense, they’re also temporary and far easier to manage with professional support.
Heroin detox timeline
While most will experience some of the withdrawal symptoms we showed above, you won’t experience them all at once. Heroin withdrawal comes in stages and can be pretty much inform in how the manifest. Below, we take a look at the heroin detox timeline, so you can get an idea of what to expect and how professional help can support you.
First 24-48 hours
Withdrawal usually begins within six to twelve hours after the last dose. Restlessness, sweating, yawning and muscle pain may appear early. Anxiety can build quickly, and sleep becomes difficult.
How professional detox helps:
During this phase, staff monitor changes closely and provide relief where needed. Knowing that what you’re feeling is normal can ease panic and prevent relapse. Nutrition and hydration are supported to stabilise energy and help your body recover from exhaustion.
Days 3–7
This is typically the peak stage of withdrawal. Nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhoea can be strong, while depression and cravings may feel relentless. Many people relapse here because the discomfort becomes overwhelming.
How professional detox helps:
Supportive care focuses on reducing distress and keeping symptoms manageable. Structure replaces the chaos you may feel, giving your days a rhythm. Rest, light movement, nutritional meals and therapeutic guidance help you regain calm and perspective, reminding you that each day forward is progress.
Week 2
Physical symptoms begin to fade, though sleep issues and low mood can linger. You might feel emotionally fragile or drained, even as the body starts to regain strength.
How professional detox helps:
Attention at this stage of recovery shifts to focusing on the emotional side of heroin detox. Talking therapies and mindfulness techniques can begin at this point, helping you process what withdrawal has brought up and preparing you for long-term treatment.
Beyond two weeks
Most of the physical symptoms have settled, but psychological withdrawal, sometimes called post-acute withdrawal syndrome, can still appear. This might include sudden cravings or emotional swings that catch you off guard.
How professional detox helps:
Ongoing guidance helps you recognise these triggers and manage them before they escalate. Support continues into therapy or aftercare, ensuring you leave detox with tools to stay stable.
Why detoxing from heroin at home is dangerous
If you’re sitting there thinking about attempting a heroin detox at home, on your own, we get it. At home, you have your own privacy during those tough moments, and even little comforts like your side of the sofa or the cold side of your pillow can make it very tempting to do so. But heroin withdrawals aren’t comfortable, no matter how much your mind dresses them up. There’s also a real chance of danger, too, especially if you’re not in a safe environment.
Here’s why it’s recommended not to detox from heroin at home:
Taking the first step
Heroin detox takes courage as it literally asks you to face discomfort and uncertainty, but it also offers the first real glimpse of freedom. Every hour spent in withdrawal is a step closer to stability and a clearer mind.
If you or someone you care about is ready to start that process, reach out today. Support is available to help you through heroin detox safely, with care that understands what you’re going through and guidance that keeps you moving forward. You don’t have to face it alone; help is here whenever you’re ready to take that first step.