Heroin addiction treatment and rehabilitation at Priory Hospital Chelmsford

Heroin is a form of opiate drug, and is derived from the strong painkiller, morphine. The most common way of consuming heroin is by injecting it directly into a vein although it is also possible for this drug to be smoked or snorted. As well as having powerful anaesthetic effects, heroin is also known to cause users to experience intense euphoria, pleasure, and a sense of relaxation – effects which can be highly addictive to some people. As such, this can cause individuals to take heroin over and over again until they develop a tolerance to the drug and a dangerous addiction.

Our intensive heroin addiction rehab programme is guided by the latest thinking in addiction treatment and adheres to robust National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. We are able to deliver:

• 7-day medically assisted withdrawal detoxification, to remove all traces of heroin from your body, and manage withdrawal symptoms
• An abstinence-based treatment model, based on the 12-Step approach
• Access to 12-Step support groups
• Intensive inpatient (residential) treatment
• Therapy delivered in a number of different formats including:
  • 1:1 therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Couples therapy
• Tried and tested therapy types including:
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • Mindfulness
  • Psychodynamic therapy
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Relapse prevention therapy
  • Workshops for anger management, relationship problems and co-dependency
  • Psychoeducational sessions on topics such as shame, guilt, vulnerability and resilience
  • Holistic therapies such as yoga and relaxation groups
  • Written assignments and projects
• Free aftercare for 12 months, ensuring that you receive the support that you need when you leave treatment

We are also able to deliver specialised treatment to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) community, who are struggling with addiction and recovery issues.

You can read more about heroin addiction treatment on our approach to addiction treatment page.

Our addiction treatment specialists possess extensive clinical experience and a broad knowledge base in the treatment of heroin addiction, and also have the expertise to offer medical intervention and prescribe medication if this is required, as part of your heroin addiction rehab programme.

Heroin addiction treatment at Chelmsford is predominantly delivered by our expert consultants and therapists. However, patients will also benefit from invaluable input from our dedicated peer supporter network. Our peer supporters are ex-patients who have successfully undergone treatment for their addiction and are now in recovery. These individuals attend therapy sessions alongside current heroin addiction patients, in order to share their insight, experiences and understanding, and help to facilitate recovery.

As well as consuming heroin on a regular basis, the following are all common signs and symptoms that a dangerous heroin addiction may be present:

• Focusing increasing amounts of time on obtaining and using heroin
• Spending lots of money on heroin, resulting in financial difficulties
• Legal problems including arrest and imprisonment
• Lying to loved ones about the extent of your heroin use
• Driving or engaging in other risky behaviours when under the influence of heroin
• Social withdrawal or finding that you only tend to associate with other people who use heroin
• Developing a tolerance to heroin, meaning that you need to take higher quantities of heroin and more frequently, in order to feel the desired effects
• Experiencing heroin withdrawal symptoms if you haven’t taken heroin for a certain amount of time
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Feelings of guilt, shame and hopelessness
• Anger and intense mood swings
• Possession of syringes, needles, and other paraphernalia related to heroin use
• Significant, unintentional weight loss
• Bruised or scabbed skin as a result of using needles to inject heroin
• Persistent flu-like symptoms

Read more about the signs and symptoms of heroin addiction.