Heroin addiction treatment in Turkey
Heroin Addiction Treatment in Turkey
Heroin is considered one of the most dangerous and most lethal types of drugs—if not the most dangerous of all. It is derived from the poppy plant, which produces opium. Morphine is extracted from opium, and from morphine heroin is derived. This clearly indicates how concentrated heroin is, and the severe health risks associated with heroin addiction.
Heroin can be abused in different ways: snorting (the most common), injecting, or heating and inhaling the vapors.
Health Risks of Heroin Addiction
Short-term effects include:
- Constant fatigue and exhaustion
- Nausea and frequent vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Apathy and indifference
- Yellowish skin tone
- Red eyes
- Rapid weight loss in a short period
- Slurred speech and stuttering
- Poor concentration and memory decline
- Emotional instability and irritability
- General body itching
Long-term effects include:
- Digestive problems and stomach pain
- Nasal ulcers that may progress to nosebleeds
- Difficulty moving limbs due to vascular issues, leading to walking problems or trouble using hands
- Sexual dysfunction, erectile issues, and infertility
- Serious mental health disorders (from depression to schizophrenia)
- Higher risk of blood-borne diseases, especially HIV/AIDS
- Brain cell damage
Withdrawal Symptoms
If an addict misses a heroin dose, withdrawal symptoms appear, such as:
- Heavy sweating
- Severe muscle pain
- Intense headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Nervous agitation
- Runny nose
These symptoms peak 48–72 hours after the last dose. Some users also take overdoses to escape withdrawal or intensify euphoria, which is extremely dangerous and can cause circulatory collapse and death.
How is Heroin Addiction Treated in Turkey?
Treatment must always be under specialized medical supervision and preferably in a professional rehabilitation center. The steps include:
- Initial Assessment
- Evaluating the patient’s physical and psychological condition
- Designing a personalized treatment strategy
- Detoxification
- Stopping heroin use under medical supervision
- Managing withdrawal symptoms with non-addictive medications such as methadone or buprenorphine
- Psychological & Behavioral Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy with recovering addicts
- Family therapy to rebuild trust and support
- Rehabilitation & Follow-Up
- Monitoring recovery and preventing relapse
- Encouraging patients to start a new life free of addiction
Withdrawal Symptoms: Cocaine vs. Heroin
- Cocaine withdrawal often involves fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability, cravings, increased appetite, insomnia, and muscle pain.
- Heroin withdrawal resembles flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, insomnia, muscle/joint pain, and intense cravings.
Medications for Heroin Withdrawal
- Flu-like symptoms: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen
- Substitution therapy: Methadone, Buprenorphine
- Anxiety & insomnia: Diazepam, Clonazepam, Melatonin
- Digestive issues: Loperamide (diarrhea), Ondansetron (nausea)
- Depression: SSRIs (Citalopram, Paroxetine)
- Relapse prevention: Naloxone, Naltrexone
⚠️ These medications must only be used under professional medical supervision.
Steps of Heroin Addiction Treatment in Turkey
- Evaluation & Diagnosis
- Medical checkup and psychological assessment
- Personal treatment plan
- Detox (Supervised Withdrawal)
- Safe clinical environment with 24/7 monitoring
- Medications for withdrawal relief
- Psychological & Behavioral Therapy
- CBT and one-on-one counseling
- Group therapy
- Family counseling
- Rehabilitation & Relapse Prevention
- Sports, art therapy, and confidence-building programs
- Relaxing environment and therapeutic activities
- Long-term follow-up care
Cost of Heroin Addiction Treatment in Turkey
The cost generally ranges from $9,000 – $28,000 per month, covering:
- Diagnosis and initial testing
- Detox and withdrawal management
- Psychological and behavioral therapy
- Accommodation and medical care
- Aftercare and follow-up
Why Choose Our Team?
- Led by Dr. Al-Akkad with 25+ years of experience
- Flexible treatment programs (10 days – 15 days – 1 month)
- Complete patient confidentiality
- Hotel-like therapeutic environment for comfort and safety
- Full family and social support