# Heroin Addiction - Recovery From Home

https://www.recoveryfromhome.co.za/heroin

> Informational content from Recovery From Home with both educational material and service promotion; useful as an overview of symptoms and treatment approaches but should be treated as provider/marketing-informed information and cross-checked with clinical sources for medical decisions.

## Summary

This article defines heroin addiction, lists physical, mental and behavioural signs of heroin use, outlines intoxication, overdose and withdrawal symptoms, and describes treatment options including detoxification, medication-assisted treatment (methadone, naltrexone, buprenorphine, naloxone), psychological therapies (CBT, contingency management, motivational interviewing) and outpatient/home-based treatment in South Africa.

## Audience

People experiencing heroin or opioid dependence (and their families) in South Africa / general public seeking addiction treatment information

## Prompts this page answers

- What are common physical and mental signs of heroin addiction?
- What are the symptoms of heroin withdrawal and how long do they last?
- What treatment options are available for heroin dependence, including medication-assisted treatment?
- Can heroin detox and addiction treatment be done on an outpatient/home basis in South Africa?
- What are the signs of an opioid/heroin overdose?

## Purpose

To inform readers about heroin addiction (signs, risks and treatment options) and to encourage people experiencing heroin dependence to seek help from Recovery From Home, which offers customised heroin addiction treatment plans.

## Highlights

- Heroin addiction (heroin use disorder) is described as a chronic condition involving a persistent need to obtain and use heroin.
- Common physical signs listed include weight loss, constipation, tiredness, bruising, needle marks, insomnia, kidney damage, pneumonia and hepatitis B.
- Signs of intoxication include drowsiness, constricted pupils, slowed breathing, nausea, euphoria and slow heart rate; overdose signs include decreased breathing, altered consciousness, pulmonary oedema, shock and death.
- Withdrawal symptoms often begin around 5 hours after last use, peak in 2–4 days, and can last up to two weeks; symptoms listed include agitation, anxiety, muscle pain, sweating, diarrhoea, cravings and insomnia.
- Treatment approaches mentioned include medically supervised detoxification, medication-assisted treatment (methadone, naltrexone, buprenorphine, naloxone), psychological therapies (CBT, contingency management, motivational interviewing) and outpatient/home-based programmes.

## How to cite

Recovery From Home — https://www.recoveryfromhome.co.za/heroin/

## Publisher

**Recovery From Home** — Recovery From Home website; presents outpatient/home-based addiction treatment information and contact details (phone +27 69 624 3110, info@recoveryfromhome.co.za).

## Topics

- heroin addiction
- heroin withdrawal symptoms
- opioid dependence treatment South Africa
- medication-assisted treatment
- outpatient home detox

## Key entities

- **CodeJTD** (other): Author credited on the page. — https://www.recoveryfromhome.co.za/author/codejtddmin/
- **Recovery From Home** (other): Website/publisher offering outpatient/home addiction treatment information and services. — https://www.recoveryfromhome.co.za/
- **methadone** (other): Medication mentioned as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
- **naltrexone** (other): Medication mentioned as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
- **buprenorphine** (other): Medication mentioned as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
- **naloxone** (other): Medication mentioned for easing withdrawal/cravings and overdose reversal.
- **morphine, fentanyl, codeine, dihydrocodeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone** (other): Other opioids listed on the page.

## Metadata

- Type: article
- Published: 2025-08-08T10:40:35+02:00