Heroin Detox + Withdrawal
Heroin detox and withdrawal is a critical step to making a full recovery from addiction.
Call Peachtree Recovery Solutions today to get started.
John Ward
Medically Reviewed by John Ward
Last Updated on:
November 13, 2025
Call us Now!
Find Addiction Treatment Today! Overcome everything that is holding you back!
The idea of heroin detox can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve tried to quit before and remember how painful withdrawal was. But when it’s done safely, with the right support, detox becomes the first real step toward overcoming addiction. It’s where your body starts to recover, your thoughts begin to clear, and you realize you don’t have to stay stuck in the same vicious cycle.
At Peachtree Recovery Solutions, we provide compassionate and effective heroin detox in Atlanta designed to help you stabilize, feel supported, and prepare for long-term recovery. Our team understands what you’re going through because we’ve helped countless individuals walk this path before. Detox isn’t easy, but it is the turning point that makes a new life possible.
You are not alone. You deserve to get help.
Peachtree Recovery Solutions is an industry leader in outpatient substance abuse treatment. Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treatment and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual. Call us today, we’re available 24/7.
Understanding Heroin Detox
Heroin detox is the process of clearing the drug and its byproducts from your body while managing withdrawal symptoms in a safe environment. When someone stops using heroin after dependence has developed, the body reacts strongly—both physically and emotionally. That’s why detoxing in a professional setting is so important.
At Peachtree Recovery Solutions, our heroin detox in Atlanta provides medical monitoring, emotional support, and a warm, judgment-free space to begin healing. Our goal is to make the process as safe and comfortable as possible, while helping clients regain stability and confidence before entering ongoing treatment.
What is Heroin Withdrawal?
Heroin withdrawal happens when your body adjusts to the absence of a drug it has relied on to function. Over time, the opioid changes brain chemistry, specifically in areas that regulate pain, pleasure, and reward. Once use stops, the brain struggles to regain balance, which leads to withdrawal symptoms.
These symptoms can be painful, but with proper care, they are manageable. At Peachtree, medical professionals monitor clients 24/7, providing medication-assisted support and clinical care to ease discomfort and reduce cravings.
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the person’s history of use, dosage, and overall health, but they typically include both physical and psychological symptoms.
Common signs of heroin withdrawal include:
- Muscle aches, chills, and sweating
- Runny nose and watery eyes
- Insomnia and restlessness
- Abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting
- Anxiety, irritability, and depression
- Intense cravings for heroin
While these symptoms can feel overwhelming, they are temporary, and under professional care, their severity can be greatly reduced. Our team knows that withdrawal is more than physical; it’s emotional too. We meet clients with empathy, patience, and evidence-based strategies to get them through the hardest days.
How Does Heroin Detox in Atlanta Work?
At Peachtree Recovery Solutions, heroin detox in Atlanta is carefully structured and personalized. We begin with a comprehensive medical and psychological assessment to understand your unique needs. From there, a treatment plan is developed that outlines medications, monitoring, and emotional support throughout detox.
Our process typically includes:
- Medical Evaluation – Upon arrival, clients are assessed by a licensed clinician who reviews medical history, substance use patterns, and overall health.
- Stabilization Phase – Withdrawal symptoms are managed with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and around-the-clock monitoring to ensure safety and comfort.
- Emotional Support – Clients receive compassionate care from our clinical team, including therapists who provide grounding techniques and coping strategies.
- Transition Planning – Once detox is complete, our staff helps clients smoothly transition into the next level of care for continued recovery.
Detox is about building a foundation for long-term success. Every person who walks through our doors deserves individualized care, and that’s exactly what we provide.
Heroin Withdrawal Timeline
The duration and intensity of heroin withdrawal depend on many factors, including frequency of use and physical health. While the experience is different for everyone, most people follow a general timeline. At Peachtree Recovery Solutions, we guide clients through every phase of withdrawal, ensuring safety, dignity, and comfort along the way.
6–12 Hours After Last Use
Early symptoms begin—anxiety, muscle aches, and cravings.
1–3 Days After Last Use
Symptoms typically peak. Clients may experience nausea, chills, sweating, abdominal pain, and insomnia. This stage can be physically and emotionally challenging, which is why medical supervision is essential.
4–7 Days After Last Use
Most acute symptoms begin to ease, although fatigue, irritability, and cravings can persist.
1–2 Weeks and Beyond
Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and cravings may continue for several weeks. Ongoing support and therapy help individuals manage these feelings and prevent relapse.
Medications Used During Heroin Detox
Medication-Assisted Treatment is a cornerstone of safe and effective heroin detox. The right medications can significantly reduce withdrawal discomfort and help prevent relapse. Our clinicians carefully select and monitor each medication based on individual needs. Combined with compassionate care, MAT helps clients feel more stable and focused as they prepare for the next stage of recovery.
Common medications used during heroin detox include:
- Buprenorphine: Helps relieve withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings by partially activating opioid receptors in the brain.
- Methadone: A long-acting opioid agonist that eases withdrawal and cravings without the euphoric high of heroin.
- Clonidine: Used to reduce symptoms like anxiety, muscle aches, and sweating.
- Naltrexone: Often introduced later in treatment, this medication blocks the effects of opioids, preventing relapse.
What Happens Once Heroin Detox is Complete?
Detox is just the beginning of recovery. Once the body is stabilized, the real healing work begins. At Peachtree Recovery Solutions, clients have access to several continuing care options designed to build on the progress made during detox.
Our goal is to help clients maintain momentum and continue healing—mentally, emotionally, and socially. Long-term recovery is possible, and the right aftercare plan makes all the difference.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
A highly structured, full-day program that provides intensive therapy, group sessions, and skill-building. Clients return home or to supportive housing in the evenings, maintaining a balance between structure and independence.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
A step down from PHP, IOP allows clients to continue treatment several days a week while beginning to reengage with work, school, or family life. It’s an ideal option for those ready to transition to more autonomy without losing support.
Can I Detox From Heroin Cold-Turkey?
While some people consider detoxing on their own, quitting heroin cold-turkey is not recommended. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and even dangerous without medical support. The risk of relapse is also significantly higher when detox is attempted at home.
Professional detox provides a safer alternative. Medical supervision helps manage symptoms, prevents complications, and ensures that the detox process is as comfortable as possible. Most importantly, it sets you up for success in long-term recovery.
If you or a loved one is thinking about quitting heroin, don’t do it alone. Reach out for help—there’s no shame in needing support, and at Peachtree, you’ll be met with compassion, not judgment.
Begin Heroin Detox in Atlanta Today
Freedom from heroin addiction starts with one brave step. At Peachtree Recovery Solutions, our team is ready to walk with you through every part of the detox and recovery process. Whether you’ve tried to quit before or this is your first time seeking help, we’ll meet you exactly where you are and help you move forward.
If you’re ready to take that step, we’re ready to help you take it safely. Reach out today to begin heroin detox in Atlanta and start your path toward lasting recovery.
We Work With Most Major Insurance
Did you know most major health insurance plans with out-of-network benefits can help cover most of the costs associated with our program? Click below to find out your coverage and treatment options for our alcohol rehab and drug rehab in Atlanta
