Addiction to opiates, especially heroin, can be complicated to overcome. Most people require treatment from a heroin addiction rehab center to work through their addiction and learn the skills they need to live without heroin. After treatment, people who live with heroin addiction must continue to stay active in recovery. This might include continuing treatment, engaging in therapy, taking medications, or joining an addiction support group.

People may still relapse, even if they complete a treatment program and stay active in recovery. Heroin is highly addictive, and people may have one or more relapses in their life after treatment. The heroin relapse rate in Chicago is about 80%. This high rate of relapse should not scare you, though. Learning about heroin addiction and understanding heroin addiction treatment can help give you the best chance of lifelong recovery.

If you or someone you love struggles with addiction to heroin, you are not alone. Reach out to the staff at the Northern Illinois Recovery Center for more information about our treatment programs. Call 855.786.1978 to speak with an admissions counselor or fill out an online intake form.

What Does the Heroin Relapse Rate Mean?

In Chicago, the relapse rate for heroin is about 80%, meaning that 8 in 10 people who stop using heroin will have at least one relapse in their lifetime. This number may be discouraging to some–but it shouldn’t be. Heroin is highly addictive, and relapses are part of recovery for most people who get treatment for substance abuse. There is no cure for addiction. Instead, it must be managed.

Instead of looking at the high relapse rate as a sign that recovery from heroin addiction is impossible, use that information to learn about ways to make detox and treatment more successful. Don’t think of a relapse as a failure. Instead, think of it as informative. It might mean that you need more support, more coping skills, or more time in a treatment program.

What Can I Do to Make Drug Detox Work For Me?

There are a variety of factors that can make someone more susceptible to relapsing. The length and intensity of their addiction, their coping skills, environmental factors, and medical or mental health conditions can contribute to a person’s likelihood of relapse. You can do some things to give yourself the best chance of lifelong recovery from heroin addiction. These include:

• Maintain a positive attitude about treatment and recovery, especially after a relapse
• Go through detox and addiction treatment at a drug detox center
• Follow all steps during detox
• Increase your support network
• Develop healthy coping skills
• Find healthy alternatives to heroin use
• Identify and avoid triggers that may lead to a relapse

Control what you can and set realistic goals for your recovery. Celebrate progress, not perfection.

What Happens in Heroin Addiction Rehab and Treatment?

Recovery from heroin addiction happens in stages. First, it is important to have medically supervised detox. In detox, you will be monitored and treated for uncomfortable or dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

After a complete detox, you will go through heroin addiction treatment. This often includes medication, education, individual and group therapy, and holistic therapies like exercise, nutrition, massage, and recreation.

Aftercare is the final step in recovery. Addiction is a lifelong condition, and people must find a way to stay engaged in recovery forever. This might include joining an alumni or support group, continuing therapy, or participating in ongoing addiction treatment.

Learn More About Heroin Addiction Treatment at the Northern Illinois Recovery Center

If you or someone you love require detox or treatment for heroin addiction, reach out to the staff at the Northern Illinois Recovery Center. We offer programs designed to empower people to overcome addiction and learn how to live the rest of their life without drugs and alcohol. In addition to our heroin addiction treatment rehab, we offer:

• DUI rehab program
• Women’s addiction treatment center
• Men’s addiction treatment center
• Young adult addiction treatment center
• Addiction aftercare
• 12 step program

Don’t wait another day for the heroin addiction treatment you need. Call 855.786.1978 to learn more about our programs, or fill out an online intake form.