Heroin Addiction Recovery Rates
Life is tough. Between rising costs of living, inflation on groceries, and the car and house market jumping all over, it has been hard to break even let alone get ahead. It is no wonder that 474 Hillsborough County residents went to the ER for non-fatal heroin overdose treatment. It seems like heroin has become a way to escape the weighing pressures of society. At first, heroin was just a way to relax and take the edge off; but now, it has become an everyday need that can’t be missed. Can you recover from heroin addiction?
Clean Recovery Centers has been helping hundreds to get clean, live clean, and stay clean. We understand the difficulties that heroin addiction can cause, and our dedicated team works with each individual to help them find their recovery. Let’s take a look at heroin addiction recovery rates.
What Does the Heroin Addiction Rate Mean?
The heroin addiction rate is the number of people who report having a heroin use disorder. In the United States, 500,000 people report having a heroin dependency. Over 16 million people have either had an opioid use disorder or are currently living with one. In the Tampa-Clearwater-St. Petersburg areas, 13.9% of residents age 12 and over reported using illicit substances such as heroin.
The Percentage of Heroin Users That Recover in Tampa, FL
Recovery from heroin does not look the same for everyone, so there is no good way to measure how many people have achieved recovery for themselves. In Hillsborough County, 2,191 adults were enrolled in a substance use program in 2021. This shows that people in the Tampa area seek recovery and take actionable steps.
Can Heroin Users Recover Completely?
As we talked about above, recovery looks different for everyone. If you use heroin regularly and want to be completely abstinent for the rest of your life, that’s great! To do so, you will have to stay in recovery for that time. If you were using heroin every day, multiple times a day, and decide to cut down to one dose every weekend, that could be considered recovery for you. Many people recover from heroin completely, in their own way and time.
Heroin Addiction Recovery Statistics Compare to Other Substance Use Disorders
When it comes to statistics on recovery, the numbers can be skewed or incorrect. Recovery is an ongoing process, and the National Institute of Health considers addiction to be a chronic condition. Because of this, tracking recovery rates is subjective. However, compared to other chronic conditions, 40-60% of people living with a substance use disorder will relapse. People with hypertension and asthma are 50-70% likely to relapse.
Relapse in any condition does not mean you are no longer in recovery. Relapse is often a step in the process. Don’t get defeated if a relapse of heroin happens, recovery is still possible and you can attain it.
The Time It Takes to Recover from Heroin Addiction
There is no set time frame for anyone looking to recover from heroin addiction. Recovery is not linear, meaning there is no singular path that will get you there. For some, relapse may be a part of their recovery while others never experience it. Some people will need extra support through groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) while others rely on the support of family and friends. The beauty of recovery is simple, no journey is right or wrong. Find what works for you and run with it.
What Is Relapse and What Causes It
Relapse is defined as being completely substance-free and then using again. It does not matter what substance was used in the past or present. Some programs – AA/NA or 12-step variations – will say relapse is using any substance after being substance-free. For example, say a regular heroin user goes through detox and is substance-free for a certain amount of time. He then goes out and drinks alcohol. Even though he did not use heroin, this is considered a relapse.
Relapse can happen for a variety of reasons. Mental health plays a huge role in substance use, and if healthy coping skills have not been developed, the chance of relapse is high. This is because using substances helps to alter how we are feeling at that moment. If you used heroin to cope with stress, it will be difficult to manage stressful situations without it. Coping skills such as breathing techniques can help when difficult mental health situations arise.
Also, when people have no choice but to return to the same situations they were in while using heroin, a relapse is more likely to happen. Changing people, places, and routines is crucial, especially in early recovery. Seeing or experiencing triggers from people or environments from the past can set off a relapse.
Signs of Relapse
Similar to signs of heroin addiction, there are different signs that someone has relapsed. Leading up to the relapse, they may have gone through a stressful or difficult situation. They may have mentioned wanting to use heroin to make the feelings go away. After a relapse, they may try to hide that it happened. For some, a relapse can lead back to continuous use. For others, a relapse is just a bump in the road and they continue with their support groups to find recovery again.
The danger of relapse for heroin is a potential overdose. When a relapse happens, it is easy to think that you can take the same amount that you were doing before. The body is no longer used to having heroin and an overdose is common. If you suspect a heroin overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
Prevent Relapse
Preventing relapse is all about support and honesty. Having family, friends, or support groups to reach out to in a time of crisis can help deter a relapse from happening. Always be open about feelings and address concerns when you are stressed or overwhelmed. Learning healthy coping skills and having people in your corner is the best method of relapse prevention.
Getting Help for Heroin Addiction Treatment at Clean Recovery Centers
Heroin is known for its grip on mental and physical health. At Clean Recovery Centers, we work together with you to loosen the hold of heroin and take your life back. Our heroin addiction treatment includes:
Heroin Detoxification
The first phase of treatment is called preparation. This includes a 24-hour detoxification period monitored around the clock medically and with emotional support. Detox can be dangerous as heroin withdrawal symptoms can become fatal. We offer medication-assisted treatment during this time to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual.
Residential Treatment
At Clean Recovery Centers, we have different residential treatment options. For heroin use disorder, clients typically stay in residential I housing after detox. This is supervised 24/7 and provides meals, structured schedules, and daily therapy to address the root causes of addiction. Our team is capable of diagnosing a mental health condition at any point in treatment, and we can adjust your program to fit those needs. Our facilities also offer community housing after residential I treatment is complete. You will never have to worry about having a place to stay. Our goal is to provide everything you will need in order to focus on healing.
Outpatient Rehab Services
Outpatient services are for our clients who are transitioning into lower levels of care. Clean Recovery Centers does have housing options available for those who need it. Clients come to our facility for treatment and therapy then has the rest of the day to do what they would like. This program typically lasts 6-8 weeks.
If you or someone you love is coping with heroin side effects, there is help out there. Clean Recovery Centers is here to provide support physically, mentally, and emotionally while you take your life back from heroin. Call us today at (888) 330-2532 to learn more about our unique program and different facilities.
FAQs
Are there treatments that are better than others to help with recovery?
Proven treatment methods for addiction include cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, and the development of healthy coping skills. Not every treatment will work for everyone, so finding what clicks for you will be the best treatment.
Why do heroin addicts relapse?
Heroin releases dopamine, which is the pleasure chemical in the brain. This is how heroin becomes a way to cope with stressful or difficult situations. If coping skills are not developed, a relapse can happen.
Which substance use disorder has the highest recovery rate?
There is no specific substance that has the highest recovery rate. Anyone living with a substance use disorder and practicing recovery is a success.
Sources:
- https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=SubstanceUse.Overview
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448203/#:~:text=Introduction-,Opioid%20use%20disorder%20and%20opioid%20addiction%20remain%20at%20epidemic%20levels,States%20are%20dependent%20on%20heroin.
- https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUHMetroBriefReports/NSDUHMetroBriefReports/NSDUH-Metro-Tampa.pdf
- https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=SubstanceUse.Report&islCounty=29
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery
