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Addiction Treatment
& Psychology Services

Motivation

Opiate Detoxification is not the only way to detoxify from opiates, although completion rates are much higher than traditional methods. Detoxing from methadone or buprenorphine is often a very drawn out and distressing process and few people succeed. However, for some people an accelerated Home Detoxification may be preferred. Your motivation is the most important factor in ensuring the success of your decision to detoxify at home. To come this far you've obviously weighed up the 'pro's and con's' of your own heroin use and established how much you have to gain by not continuing to use.

Constantly reminding yourself of the rewards that are yet to come will help you through your time of withdrawal.

Your agreement and compliance with the doctors instructions
It is important not to take medications other than those prescribed, and not to consume any alcohol because of the danger of overdose or drug interactions.

Other reasons for not self-medicating:
It can increase the discomfort associated with withdrawal.
Participants have observed that they felt increased overall aches and pains, and nausea with even small quantities of alcohol.

Uppers (Coke and Speed) cause increased agitation and focus attention on any discomfort being experienced. Once the initial effect has worn of you are likely to feel depressed, which is not too helpful when you are detoxing.

Marijuana (Pot) also focuses attention on discomfort and exacerbates any negative feelings you may be having.

After a suitability assessment by our psychologist, an appointment will be made for you to be assessed by a doctor. Bring your support person along, as they'll be given instructions on the medications prescribed for you. These medications will help reduce any withdrawal symptoms and must be taken as directed both for safety and maximum effect. A home detox date will be set by you according to your overall situation, with family commitments and other factors to be taken into consideration.

Your detox will require you to be free from any opiates (Heroin, Methadone, Codeine, Panadeine, Codral Forte etc/), for 3-5 days. Your support person must be able to stay with you for this period and administer the prescribed medications as directed. We can arrange to have a nurse contact you every day over this period and visit you at least once or twice if the withdrawal process becomes difficult. Consultation with a qualified Masseur or Nutritional Counsellor is advisable to help minimise any withdrawal discomfort.

On successful completion of the home detox you will see an experienced doctor who will perform a 'Narcan Challenge' to establish that your body is opiate free (alternatively, an on-the-spot test for opiates can be administered at a cost of $50). If everything goes according to plan, you will be fully detoxed and ready to start taking Naltrexone or to have an implant inserted. The Doctor will give you a tablet of Naltrexone 50mgs to be taken after completion of the Narcan test and advise you to continue taking Naltrexone every day for a period of up to one year.

"Naltrexone is a pure opiate antagonist that blocks the effect of Heroin and other opiates. Naltrexone is non-addictive and reduces the cravings for heroin and has no serious side effects" from "The Use of Naltrexone in the Treatment of Opiate Dependence".

On confirmation that the home detoxification phase has been successfully completed, you will make an appointment with one of our counsellors and the aftercare phase can begin. This involves three months of regular, individual counselling sessions with a therapist in or around your residential area.

Setting the Date
Give yourself as much time as possible, 3-4 days without distractions, away from any family problems, work or financial commitments. If you've got children, have someone mind them or a partner or parent take over these responsibilities. If staying at home increases the temptation to use heroin for any reason, find somewhere else that's safe and comfortable that doesn't provide access to a supplier. Contact any 'drug buddies' to respect your process by not contacting you, throw out any 'drug using' equipment, fits, bent spoons etc. You know the reminders!

Any pre-existing physical aches, pains, or illnesses should be addressed before commencement of home detoxification. Your naturally occurring internal painkillers called endorphins (endogenous morphine) will start being produced by your body again when the heroin is out of your system. Because of the 5 day delay, any pain you previously felt whilst on heroin will be significantly increased and may hinder the detoxification process. It may be a simple action on your part such as seeing a dentist about a toothache or taking other professionally prescribed medication to combat a specific illness.

Don't forget your emotional state. Heroin use can mask the emotional pain associated with grief and loss issues and other traumatic life events and prescribed medication may alleviate some of this pain. The doctor can advise you if this is a concern and a referral can be made to see a specialist.

Stock up on plenty of comfort giving materials (that aren't drug related) eg. CDs, DVDs, magazines, music, nourishing food, bath oil etc. to help to keep you occupied during the latter stages of the detoxification process. Last but not least, love and support from family and friends should be in constant supply - ask for their kindness and positive reinforcement.

Diet
You probably won't feel like eating much during your detox so it is important that you put effort into eating well before hand. Increase your intake of cooked vegetables, rice, pasta, muesli, seafood and fruit. Supplements such as Spirulina, The Missing Link* (a combination of whole foods and food concentrates), and professionally prescribed vitamins and minerals can be taken with a sensible diet to ensure you body is at its best. Try and decrease the amount of junk foods that contain fat and sugar, this will help reduce the overall symptoms associated with heroin detoxification and speed up your recovery.

*The Missing Link is a 'designer' food product especially rich in essential nutrients, fibre friendly bacteria and naturally occurring vitamins and minerals. It's a fast safe way to help combat the effects of a nutrient deficient diet.

Vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies are not recommended in certain instances and can cause adverse reactions when taken with some prescribed medications. Seek advice from your doctor.

Aftercare counselling is essential to ensure that healthy and appropriate coping behaviours are learnt, rather than substituting other drugs for heroin and methadone.