At Knoxville Recovery Center, we realize that heroin may have such a powerful hold on your life that you may feel like you have become its slave. If you have tried to quit on your own and have fallen back into relapse, your feelings of sadness and frustration may be very strong. Before you mentally beat yourself up for relapsing, understand that relapse rates for opioid addiction are extremely high.

In fact, heroin addicts who are seeking to quit altogether often relapse 8 to 10 times before becoming completely free of it. This is largely because when you use heroin, your body becomes physically dependent upon it. Because relapse rates are so extreme if you or someone you love shows the following signs, it is time to seek out professional heroin addiction treatment.

Signs of a Heroin Relapse

Is your loved one hanging out with their old group of friends that they formerly used drugs with? Are they calling in sick to their job, not showing up at school, or not helping out around the house? If so, heroin may have come back around, knocking on their door.

Here are several additional relapse indicators for you to look out for:

• Not seeming to care about eating and are losing weight
• Appearing tired most of the time
• Stealing
• Acting secretive
• Skipping therapy meetings
• Never seem to have any money
• Selling personal items
• Changes in personality and mood
• Confusing and slurred manner of speaking
• Isolating themselves
• Abstaining from personal hygiene

Are you the person who has relapsed? Along with seeking professional help, there are several things you can do to help yourself recover.

• Make a commitment to take care of yourself.
• When you feel like you want to use, distract yourself.
• When you want to use, tell someone so that you remain accountable.
• Take time out to relax.
• Take one day at a time.

Achieving Success Through Heroin Addiction Treatment

There are two heroin addiction treatment approaches that when blended together, create a promising outlook. The first is the use of specific prescription medications in the fight against opioid addiction. Approved by the FDA, medicines like naltrexone, methadone, and buprenorphine are particularly helpful during the withdrawal period that is experienced during the detoxification process. They help to ease cravings for heroin and calm other physical symptoms that often cause patients to relapse.

Another helpful approach in heroin addiction treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapies, which can be administered in an outpatient setting. Here is what is involved. Patients attend counseling sessions that are centered around learning how to minimize drug use, minimize triggers, and develop healthy coping skills. By successfully managing cravings and applying skills learned during therapy, the likelihood of experiencing a relapse is significantly decreased.

Break the Cycle With Knoxville Recovery Center

We at Knoxville Recovery Center understand that getting professional help with your opioid addiction is a big step. It involves allowing yourself to become accountable to others, and making a commitment to do your very best to let go of what no longer serves you. Addiction is a disease.  Fortunately, Knoxville Recovery Center offers various services to those struggling with this addiction. 

Services offered: 

Detox – Our on-site detox clinic accommodates and supports clients as the body sheds all residual traces of heroin. Clients are under medical supervision during the detox process to ensure that they remain safe and comfortable. 

Addiction Treatment –  During our addiction treatment program, clients will engage in introductory therapies and exercises that work to prepare them for continued, more intensive treatment outside of our facility. The goal of our addiction treatment track is to stabilize clients so that they are treatment-ready. 

Mental Health Treatment – Our mental health treatment program introduces behavioral therapies rooted in self-expression and holistic exercise. Art therapy, music therapy, and yoga are just a few forms of therapy we offer at the center. Our goal is to help the client reclaim their voice and expose them to treatment within a professional facility. 

Aftercare Planning – Aftercare is designed for individuals who have benefitted from our introductory addiction services and are transitioning into a more intensive addiction treatment program. Once a client is stabilized, they will be encouraged to pursue continued addiction treatment. Our experienced case managers will then work with our clients to place them in a program that addresses their specific wants and needs.

 Addiction is difficult to overcome alone. If you feel that you or a loved one is struggling with heroin  abuse, our specialists are on standby and ready to help. Call Knoxville Recovery Center and speak with an addiction expert today.