Using heroin is dangerous, and whether you’ve been using for years or are ready to quit after a short time, stopping requires the right support. Heroin detox can lead to intense withdrawal symptoms that are both physically and emotionally challenging.
Recovery is possible. At Spring Grove Recovery in Colorado Springs, Colorado, we provide medically supervised detox programs designed to meet your individual needs. Our team focuses on safety, dignity, and compassionate care to help you take the first step toward a healthier, drug-free life.
Detox isn’t a cure for addiction, but it’s the critical first step toward recovery. Heroin detox helps break the body’s physical dependence on heroin, setting the stage for long-term treatment to help you regain control over your mind, habits, and life.
Heroin detox is a medically supervised process that safely removes heroin from your system. A dedicated medical team monitors and manages withdrawal symptoms and any complications that arise. While detox focuses on the physical aspect of dependence, it also helps your body start functioning without the drug it once relied on.
During heroin detox:
Detox can last several days to over a week, depending on factors like your health history, how long heroin was used, and any additional substance use. At Spring Grove Recovery, most clients complete inpatient heroin detox in five to seven days. You’re never alone in this process—our team works to keep you safe and comfortable as you begin your journey to healing.
Detoxing from heroin without medical supervision poses serious risks:
Detoxing cold turkey is unsafe. Heroin addiction is a complex disease, and professional treatment provides the tools and support you need to move forward. Spring Grove Recovery offers compassionate, judgment-free care that sets the foundation for lasting recovery.
Heroin withdrawal occurs as the body adjusts to the absence of the drug. Symptoms vary in severity and duration, depending on how long you used, your health, and other factors.
Our clinical team is here to help manage both the immediate and ongoing challenges of heroin withdrawal, giving you the support you need to start rebuilding your life.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is one of the most effective ways to reduce heroin cravings and lower the risk of relapse. Contrary to common misconceptions, MAT doesn’t trade one addiction for another—it’s a regulated, evidence-based approach to managing withdrawal and recovery.
MAT is a cornerstone treatment for opioid use disorder, including heroin addiction. It combines medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) with therapy and education to provide a well-rounded recovery approach.
Common medications include:
Improved retention: MAT reduces the risk of overdose while keeping people engaged in recovery.
Craving management: Medications alleviate cravings and withdrawal discomfort, letting people focus on therapy and rebuilding their lives.
Comprehensive support: MAT works best when paired with counseling, life skills training, housing assistance, and employment support.
At Spring Grove Recovery, our MAT plans are customized to fit your needs. Our medical team monitors and adjusts treatments to align with your withdrawal experience and long-term goals.
Heroin is an opioid that blocks pain, so when use stops, pain can return quickly during withdrawal. MAT helps manage this physical pain, along with other withdrawal symptoms, to make the detox process more manageable.
We offer support through detox, therapy, and peer groups to reduce physical discomfort and help you stay focused on recovery. Pain can feel overwhelming, but with proper care, it doesn’t have to derail your progress.
Inpatient heroin detox involves staying at our center throughout the entire detox process, with 24/7 care and supervision. This is usually the best choice for people with a long history of substance use or those with co-occurring physical or mental health conditions.
At Spring Grove Recovery, our inpatient detox includes:
Inpatient detox typically lasts a few days to just over a week, depending on your individual health, progress, and needs. When you leave, you’ll have a tailored follow-up plan and access to our residential treatment programs.
Outpatient heroin detox allows you to visit a treatment center for check-ins, medication, and counseling while returning home in between. This may be a good option if your addiction is less severe and you don’t have co-occurring conditions.
Spring Grove Recovery does not offer outpatient detox. However, our team can still guide you in finding the right treatment option—just contact us to learn more.
Finding the best heroin detox program starts with a thorough and honest assessment. Together, we’ll evaluate your:
Before starting treatment, ask yourself the following questions:
If you don’t have a safe place to stay or reliable transportation, inpatient detox may be the better option. Additionally, if you’ve experienced relapses or have co-occurring conditions, 24/7 support can provide the structure you need to stay on track.
Treatment for heroin addiction begins with detox to manage withdrawal symptoms. After detox, many individuals benefit from ongoing inpatient care for recovery.
Heroin is a short-acting opioid, which means withdrawal symptoms usually start within 12 hours of the last dose and peak between one and three days.
Flu-like symptoms like a runny nose, sweating, and muscle aches typically begin within hours. Anxiety and cravings also appear early.
Symptoms become more intense, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and significant muscle pain. Fatigue and restlessness are common, so staying hydrated is essential.
Physical symptoms often improve after about a week. However, psychological symptoms, such as cravings and depression, may continue.
For some, symptoms linger for weeks or months after quitting heroin. These may include mood swings, sleep issues, and occasional cravings. Therapy and long-term support can be key in managing PAWS effectively.
Completing heroin detox is a significant milestone, but recovery is an ongoing journey. The risk of relapse is highest within the first year, especially in the initial days and weeks after detox.
Key relapse prevention strategies include:
We’re here to help connect you to the right support when you leave treatment. Together, we’ll create a personalized relapse prevention plan to ensure you always know when—and where—to find help.
Detox is just the beginning. Long-term recovery depends on consistent support, building healthy habits, and preparing for future challenges. Life doesn’t stop after treatment, and setbacks can happen. Without a strong aftercare plan, the risk of relapse increases, especially in high-stress or emotional situations. Staying connected with a supportive peer community can be a game-changer in maintaining your progress.
Detox isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Overcoming heroin addiction requires specialized, meaningful care designed to meet your unique needs.
Many individuals struggling with heroin addiction also face mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder. Integrated dual diagnosis treatment:
Our program offers personalized care to address both substance use and mental health needs, ensuring you have the tools to achieve lasting recovery.
Illicit heroin is often laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that's highly potent and fast-acting, creating unique detox challenges:
No matter the opioid you’re struggling with, our dedicated team will equip you with the support and resources you need to succeed on your recovery journey.
Not everyone is ready or able to achieve full abstinence right away. Harm reduction strategies help keep people safer until they're ready to take the next step:
At Spring Grove Recovery, our licensed professionals offer around-the-clock care and support during detox, all in a judgment-free environment.
Receive compassionate, 24/7 care and monitoring, including:
Our therapy programs provide opportunities to build the skills you need for lasting recovery. Most clients start therapy in residential treatment after becoming stable during detox.
We offer trauma-informed counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and other evidence-based approaches. Together, we'll create a therapy plan tailored to your needs.
Mental health care is a key part of our heroin treatment program, starting on day one of detox. Services include:
Whether this is your first time in treatment or you're navigating a setback, we’re here to support you with the tools you need to move forward.
Recovery is a lifelong journey, and having the right support can help you face challenges with confidence.
After completing medically supervised detox, many clients transition directly into residential rehab. Studies show that longer treatment improves heroin abstinence rates. Residential rehab provides:
Residential rehab lengths vary, from 30 days to 90 days or more, depending on your goals. At our Colorado Springs, CO, center, we offer 30-day residential programs. Once you stabilize in detox, we can work with you to transition into residential care for continued healing.
Supportive housing programs provide a structured, drug-free environment with accountability, guided by professionals and peers. Transitional housing can be a great option for people lacking a stable home environment. Most supportive housing options include:
Sober living homes act as a vital bridge between inpatient treatment and full reintegration into the community. Once you complete treatment, our staff can assist you in finding trusted options in Colorado.
Pain management is a crucial aspect for people recovering from heroin or other opioid addictions, as unmanaged pain can increase relapse risk. Incorporating non-opioid pain management strategies into your recovery plan can make a big difference. These strategies include:
During your treatment, we’ll help you manage pain without opioids and teach you how to advocate for your needs with medical providers. Our team is here to ensure pain management stays a key part of your recovery journey.
Our team is available 24/7 to support you or a loved one in overcoming heroin use. We accept Medicaid and many commercial insurance plans, making addiction treatment more accessible for everyone in need. Have questions? Call us directly at 719.415.3460 or contact us online for assistance.
Acute withdrawal symptoms typically last around a week, but some individuals may experience lingering effects for weeks or even months. Detox duration varies depending on factors such as the frequency and amount of heroin use, as well as a person’s overall physical health.
Our detox program offers medication-assisted treatment to help ease withdrawal symptoms and manage cravings. The medical team will work with you to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs.
It is not recommended to attempt detox from heroin at home. The withdrawal symptoms can be intense and potentially dangerous, and having medical supervision and support in a professional setting greatly increases the chances of a successful detox process. Talk to a healthcare professional before making any decisions about detoxing from heroin at home.
Detox is just the first step in a long-term recovery journey. It is important to have a plan in place after detox to prevent relapse and maintain sobriety. This typically involves ongoing therapy, support groups, and possibly medication-assisted treatment. Entering residential rehab or another type of care can give you a better foundation for your recovery journey.
Lindsay Dean currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Spring Grove Recovery. With more than 10 years of experience in behavioral health, Lindsay is deeply committed to expanding access to ethical, high-quality treatment and building systems of care that support long-term, sustainable recovery through compassionate, trauma-informed practices.
Lindsay began her career in direct patient care, where early experience as a mental health technician, crisis intervention specialist, and group/ individual counselor shaped her understanding of how trauma impacts engagement, trust, and openness to treatment. This clinical foundation continues to inform her leadership philosophy, reinforcing the belief that effective treatment systems must be grounded in safety, dignity, and respect.
As Lindsay progressed into senior leadership, her focus shifted toward building and strengthening treatment programs that balance clinical excellence with operational and regulatory integrity. She served as Program Director at one of the largest Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) in Colorado Springs, where she led multidisciplinary teams, expanded access to evidence-based services for priority populations via increased grant funding, and ensured adherence to state and federal regulations.
Most recently, Lindsay served as Assistant Executive Director of Spring Grove Recovery, where she aligned clinical, operational, and administrative teams to strengthen continuity between inpatient and outpatient levels of care. Her leadership emphasized collaboration, sustainability, and the reduction of barriers to treatment access.
Lindsay’s leadership is grounded in operational excellence, regulatory integrity, and trauma-informed systems of care that prioritize patient safety and engagement. She has successfully guided organizations through extensive state and federal oversight, managed and expanded state grant funding, and strengthened services for underserved and vulnerable populations.
Lindsay holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Personal Health and is a Certified Addiction Specialist. As CEO, she leads Spring Grove Recovery with a clear mission: to cultivate a trauma-informed, collaborative, and compassionate treatment environment where individuals are empowered to heal, engage meaningfully in their own care, and sustain recovery long after residential treatment ends.
