Healing after heroin
Question
My friend is giving up heroin and was on twenty-one day methadone treatment. She says that she has been off it for weeks, but now she talks with a slur, eats a lot and cannot stay awake. Are these withdrawal symptoms or she is using heroin again?
Answer
It's really good that your friend has decided to come off heroin. Coming off heroin can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which your friend may or may not have experienced. These symptoms can include:
- Dysphoria (an emotional state characterised by anxiety, depression, and restlessness);
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Diarrhoea;
- Muscle aches;
- Insomnia.
The intensity of these symptoms depends on the person and whether or not they are using a substitute like methadone to help get them off the heroin. Methadone is a drug and can cause side effects as well, so this might be what your friend is experiencing.
It's often difficult to tell whether someone is using again or not. It can take people a few tries to come off heroin, so if your friend has started using again she may need your support to access treatment again.
It might help for you or your friend to contact your local drug treatment service. If she is using heroin again they will be able to talk through all her options and offer her the support she might need. They will also be able to help if the symptoms you describe are side effects of the methadone programme. For details of the nearest service you can call Frank on 0800 77 66 00.
Updated: 12/04/2010
Question answered by Addaction
