Heroin is a highly addictive opioid, and withdrawal from this drug often takes place in a medical detox program to prevent unnecessary suffering and reduce the chance of relapse. Detoxing at home may be more difficult than detoxing under supervision, and though opioid withdrawal is seldom life-threatening, complications sometimes arise that require medical attention.

Is Heroin Detox at Home Safe?

Heroin withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable, even if it is not usually fatal. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), detoxing without medical intervention can lead to unnecessary pain and suffering.¹ The risk for relapse is high when you are at home, given your relative ease of access to heroin, other drugs, and alcohol.

Further, while it may not harm you physically to detox at home, treatment for addiction is necessary to address the underlying psychological issues that are fuelling your addiction. Without professional care, you may be more prone to returning to heroin.⁵

If you’ve been abusing multiple substances (e.g., heroin and benzodiazepines), your likelihood of experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts during withdrawal is increased. Women, in particular, face an even greater risk of these issues. Without a supervised and supportive environment, these problems can put you in extreme peril. If you already struggle with depression, suicidal ideation, or other mental health concerns, detoxing at home may be too much of a risk.¹

Other risks of detoxing at home include dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and cardiac events.¹One surefire way to manage any withdrawal complications to arise is to enlist the help of a medical detox program.

What Can I Expect from Heroin Detox at Home?

Withdrawal symptoms may be more intense for one person than for another. Variables that may determine the severity of withdrawal include how long a person has used heroin, the amount regularly used, and any previous negative opioid withdrawal experiences.¹Though withdrawal experiences vary, speaking relatively, a person may experience:²

Mild withdrawal: If they used 1-2 bags of heroin daily or less.
Moderate withdrawal: If they used 3-6 bags of heroin daily.
Severe withdrawal: If they used more than 6 bags of heroin daily.

Those expected to experience moderate or severe heroin withdrawal might seriously consider some form of professional detox, such as partial hospitalization or inpatient treatment, where medications and other interventions may be used to mitigate suffering and manage any complications.

Acute Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

Acute heroin withdrawal symptoms can start within 8 to 12 hours of the last dose, peak in 24 to 48 hours, and resolve over the course of the next 3 to 5 days.^1,2Heroin withdrawal is often compared to an extremely intense flu since it produces many of the same symptoms, including:^1,3

Insomnia.
Diarrhea.
Vomiting.
Cold flashes and goosebumps.
Muscle and bone pain.
Restlessness.
Uncontrollable leg movements.
Yawning.
Tearing of the eyes.
Rapid pulse.
Dilated pupils.
Anxiety.

Heroin is extremely addictive and, because it is associated with intense withdrawal syndrome, it is important to understand the risks of attempting a home detox. When people experience an uncomfortable withdrawal, they may be inclined to use substances for relief. One study examined the experience of mothers living in Ireland who had children who were detoxing. The study found that it was common for detoxing individuals to self-administer legal and illegal substances during the withdrawal period to help manage side effects. Among the study sample, relapses were common.⁴

Should I Detox at Home?

It is generally not recommended that people undergo any type of detox in a non-medical, unsupervised setting.¹ Detoxing from heroin at home and without medical help can be an intense experience, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration advises against it.¹ If you feel you may need detox, consider reaching out to a medical professional.

Benefits of Detox for Heroin Withdrawal

Withdrawal can take an enormous toll on a person physically and may be too much to take on alone. Medical detox offers supportive care and medications to reduce withdrawal discomfort and prevent relapse. When you are detoxing alone, you may suffer to the extent that you relapse for relief, despite being incredibly driven to get sober at the start.

Having help around during detox can prove enormously beneficial at times that your willpower, or self-control, is at a low point. According to psychology, willpower is a finite resource.¹² When you wake up in the morning, your amount of willpower may be filled to the brim. But as the day goes on, it begins to decrease. Having professional support and a substance-free environment can make all the difference during this time.

You can expect to experience a wide range of emotions while you withdraw that may include irritability, anxiety, and depression.¹ These feelings may be new or so powerful that you want to turn back to heroin to feel better. Asking for help takes tremendous courage. If you’re detoxing at home and you’re feeling emotionally vulnerable, reach out for support from a trusted friend or family member. And if you feel like you’re on the verge of relapse, don’t be ashamed to admit you need additional support from a detox program. If you’re feeling too sick or anxious to look for a program yourself, enlist a loved one to call surrounding programs to inquire about their availability.

When Should I Ask for Help?

If you are helping someone who is going through heroin detox, watch out for the following physical or psychological warning signs. If they are experiencing any of these, it may be time to call for help or help them get to an emergency room:

Signs of dehydration: sunken eyes, extreme thirst, irritability, decreased urinary output, dry tongue, low blood pressure, slow rebound of skin when pinched, weak pulse, lethargy.¹³
Electrolyte imbalance: thirst, restlessness, confusion, agitation, edema, dry mucous membranes, seizures, coma.¹⁴
Signs of cardiac issues: shortness of breath, upper body pain, chest pain or discomfort.¹⁵
Overwhelming urges to relapse.
Thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

If you are detoxing at home, it is important to have treatment lined up for after you leave, either inpatient or outpatient therapy. Kicking your physical dependence is only the first step. Without further treatment, the issues that originally led you to abuse heroin will still be present, and you may return to heroin as a way to cope with them. The therapy offered in treatment can help you to uncover your motivation to stay sober, develop new and positive beliefs, and learn ways to manage your triggers and cravings.

Heroin Detox at Home: Is It Safe?