Misusing heroin is dangerous. Whether you’ve been using for years or want to quit after a short time, stopping heroin use requires support. Heroin detox often brings on intense withdrawal symptoms that can be physically and emotionally overwhelming.
But recovery is possible. The team at Sheridan Grove Recovery is here to guide you through the process. At our center in Aurora, Colorado, we offer medically supervised detox programs tailored to your unique needs. Our approach focuses on safety, dignity, and compassionate care to help you start your journey toward a healthier, drug-free life.
Detox alone isn’t a cure for addiction, but without it, recovery can't start. Heroin detox breaks the body’s reliance on heroin, while ongoing long-term treatment helps you reclaim control over your mind, habits, and life.
Heroin detox is a medically supervised process where heroin is safely cleared from your body. A dedicated team manages withdrawal symptoms and any complications that may arise. Detoxification addresses the physical aspect of heroin dependence—it helps your body begin to function without the drug it has come to rely on for survival.
During heroin detox:
The process may last from several days to over a week, depending on your health history, length of heroin use, and any co-occurring substance use. Most clients at Sheridan Grove Recovery are in inpatient heroin detox for between five and seven days. During detox, you are not alone—our team keeps you comfortable and safe so you can start healing.
Attempting to detox from heroin cold turkey, without medical help, carries significant risks:
Attempting heroin detox without medical help is unsafe. Addiction is a disease, and professional treatment can give you the right tools to move forward. At Sheridan Grove Recovery, we provide judgment-free support at every stage, helping you build the foundation for lasting recovery.
Stopping heroin use triggers withdrawal symptoms as the body adjusts to the absence of the drug. The severity and duration of symptoms depend on factors like how long someone has been using and their level of dependence.
Our clinical team can help you manage both immediate and lingering challenges of heroin withdrawal.
MAT (medication-assisted treatment) is highly effective in reducing heroin cravings. Fewer cravings mean a lower chance of relapse during detox. Contrary to misconceptions, MAT isn’t replacing one addiction with another—it’s a regulated, therapeutic approach to managing withdrawal and recovery.
MAT is a widely used treatment for opioid use disorder, including heroin addiction. It combines medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) to ease withdrawal and cravings with therapy and education, offering a comprehensive recovery approach.
Common medications include:
At Sheridan Grove Recovery, our MAT plans are tailored to your unique needs. Our medical team creates, monitors, and adjusts treatments to align with your withdrawal experience and long-term recovery goals.
Pain can be severe during heroin withdrawal. That's because heroin is an opioid, which blocks feelings of pain. So, when someone stops using it, the pain they were masking can quickly return. MAT can help manage pain and other withdrawal symptoms.
We help clients manage pain and discomfort through detox, therapy, and support groups. By easing the physical pain, we can strengthen your mental will to stay sober. Pain can be an overwhelming obstacle during recovery, but with our help, it doesn't have to be.
Inpatient heroin detox means staying at our center for the entire detox process under 24/7 supervision. This is often the best choice for people with long use histories. It might also be best for those with co-occurring physical or mental health conditions.
Detox at Sheridan Grove Recovery provides:
Your time in heroin detox will likely be a few days to just over a week, depending on your health, progress, and needs. At discharge, you’ll have a personalized follow-up plan with a connection to our residential programming.
Outpatient heroin detox allows you to go to a treatment center for check-ins, medication, and counseling, then return home. It might be right if your addiction isn't severe and you have no co-occurring conditions.
We don't offer an outpatient detox program at Sheridan Grove Recovery. Our team can still help you find the right type of treatment when you contact us.
Finding the right place for heroin detox starts with an honest and thorough assessment. We'll work with you to learn more about your:
Before you start treatment, you should ask yourself a few questions, like:
If you don't have a safe place to stay or transportation to treatment, inpatient detox is probably a better choice for you. And, if you have any co-occurring conditions or have had a relapse in the past, 24/7 support can help you stay on track.
Addiction rehab starts with managing withdrawal symptoms during detox. After that, many people benefit from continued inpatient care.
Heroin is a short-acting opioid, meaning withdrawal symptoms usually begin within 12 hours after the last dose and peak between one and three days.
Flu-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sweating, and muscle aches, typically start within the first few hours. Anxiety and cravings also set in early.
Symptoms intensify, with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe muscle pain being most prominent. Fatigue and restlessness are common, and it’s crucial to stay hydrated.
Physical symptoms typically subside after about a week, though psychological symptoms like cravings and depression may persist.
Some people experience lingering symptoms for weeks or months after quitting heroin. These include mood swings, sleep disturbances, and occasional cravings. Therapy and ongoing support can help manage PAWS.
Completing heroin detox is a big step, but recovery is a daily challenge. Relapse is most likely within the first year—especially in the days and weeks after detox.
Effective relapse prevention includes:
We can help connect you with the right resources when you leave treatment. Our team will also work closely with you to create a meaningful relapse prevention plan so you know when—and where—to find help.
Detox is just the first step. Long-term recovery thrives on consistent support, healthy habits, and preparation for future challenges. Life keeps moving after treatment, and difficulties will arise. Without a solid aftercare plan, setbacks become more likely, especially in high-stress or emotional situations. Staying engaged with a supportive peer community can make all the difference in maintaining your progress.
Detox is not a one-size-fits-all process. You need specialized, meaningful support when you're leaving heroin addiction behind.
Many people with heroin addiction also live with mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder. Integrated, dual diagnosis treatment:
In our program, you will receive personalized care tailored to your specific needs, addressing both your substance use disorder and any co-occurring mental health challenges.
Illicit heroin is increasingly contaminated with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far more potent and fast-acting. This creates unique detox challenges:
As you start your journey into recovery, our team will provide the tools you need to be successful—no matter what kind of opioid you're struggling with.
Not everyone is ready for or able to achieve full abstinence right away. Harm reduction keeps people safer until they are ready:
When you come to Sheridan Grove Recovery, our licensed professionals provide around-the-clock support without judgment.
Compassionate, 24/7 care and monitoring, including:
Different therapy settings give our clients different chances to learn new skills:
We offer trauma-informed counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and other evidence-based methods. Our team will work with you to create a therapy plan that's right for you.
Mental health care is integrated throughout our heroin treatment program, starting during detox. We can provide:
Whether it's your first time in rehab or you're working through a setback, we can give you the tools you need to take better steps forward.
Recovery is a lifelong journey, and you'll face new challenges every day. With the right skills and resources, you can face them head-on.
Following medically supervised heroin detox, many people benefit from residential rehabilitation. Studies have shown that longer time in treatment can improve heroin abstinence. Residential rehab after detox offers continued:
Residential rehab varies in length. Some programs last 30 days, others may extend for 90 days or longer based on your goals and progress. We offer 21–30 day residential treatment at our Aurora, CO, center. When you become stable in detox, we can help you transition into residential care.
Supportive housing programs offer drug-free environments with built-in accountability led by professionals and peers. Transitional housing is a good option for those who don't have stable home environments. Most supportive housing offers:
Sober living homes help bridge the critical time between inpatient care and full reentry in the community. Our staff can help you research reputable options in Colorado when you complete treatment.
Pain is real risk for people in recovery form heroin and other opioid addictions. Managing your pain can reduce your risk of relapse. Non-opioid pain management strategies can be integrated into your long-term plan:
During treatment, we'll help you manage your pain without opioid medications. Our team will help you learn how to communicate with medical providers about your history with opioids and any needs you have for pain management in recovery.
Our team is standing by 24/7 to help you or a loved one stop using fentanyl. We accept Medicaid and many commercial insurance plans to make addiction treatment more accessible to everyone who needs it. Have questions? Reach out to us by calling 303.268.2987 or contacting us online.
Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) are often used for heroin withdrawal, including buprenorphine (Suboxone), methadone, and naltrexone. These medications help reduce the physical symptoms of withdrawal and cravings for heroin. Medication-assisted treatment works best with talk therapy and substance abuse counseling.
The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) is a commonly used tool to measure the severity of heroin withdrawal. It rates symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, and muscle aches. This scale helps professionals create individualized treatment plans for each person going through heroin detox.
Acute withdrawal symptoms generally last about a week, but some people may experience lingering effects for weeks or even months. The length of time it takes to fully detox from heroin varies. Factors such as frequency and amount of use, as well as overall physical health, can impact the detox process.
Heroin withdrawal can be physically and emotionally challenging. The severity of withdrawal symptoms varies from person to person, but they may include flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, and body aches. In addition to physical discomfort, people going through withdrawal also experience intense cravings for the drug. Professional support and evidence-based treatment can make symptoms easier to manage.
Trevor Collins serves as Chief Executive Officer of Sheridan Grove Recovery, where he is deeply committed to ensuring that every individual who enters treatment is met with dignity, compassion, and the support needed for lasting recovery. With more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in healthcare and behavioral health, Trevor leads with a patient-first philosophy that places clinical quality, safety, and outcomes at the center of every decision.
At Sheridan Grove Recovery, Trevor focuses on creating an environment where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their recovery journey. Under his leadership, the organization has strengthened care coordination, improved access to clinical and support services, and enhanced patient engagement and satisfaction—while also ensuring the operational and financial stability necessary to sustain high-quality care.
Trevor’s background spans substance use treatment, behavioral health, hospital operations, and value-based care models. He brings a thoughtful, systems-based approach to leadership, emphasizing evidence-based practices, strong interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous improvement in both patient outcomes and staff support. He believes that when teams are well-supported and aligned around a shared mission, patients receive better care.
Guided by a strong sense of purpose, Trevor is dedicated to building programs that not only help individuals achieve sobriety, but also support long-term healing, resilience, and reintegration into their families and communities. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Social Science and Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University–Global Campus.
