Lofexidine
Speak to a clinician on all aspects of Lofexidine addiction, rehab, detox, withdrawal, admission, therapy, counselling, cost and availability in total confidence and without charge.
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Get help with Lofexidine from an experienced addictions clinican.
Lofexidine is an established medication that can be used to treat the symptoms of heroin and opioid withdrawal. It is not an opioid or a opioid substitute. It specifically deals with withdrawals from opioids.
Our clinicians have decades clinical experience on heroin addiction advice. We can help you access treatment for heroin addiction. There is heroin addiction help available. Call now.
Lofexidine
Why Lofexifine
Addiction takes time to manifest. You don't become an addict overnight. One treatment that has shown promise is Lofexidine for heroin addiction.
It can be heroin, prescription pain killers or an over reliance on over the counter medication that contains codeine.
How it starts isn't the issue it is how you stop that counts.
Lofexidine For Heroin Addiction is one option that can help support people through the withdrawal process. Stopping opioids is rarely easy.
Withdrawal from opioids can be very tough: Physically and psychologically.
Your brain, when you stop taking opioids, will produce excess amounts of noradrenaline. It is this that creates the physical symptoms synonymous with withdrawal.
Lofexidine
Why Do Opioids Cause Addiction?
When you take opioids they sit on receptors in the brain.
There presence initiates the release of naturally occurring chemicals that not only block nerve pathways but also provide an intense sense of euphoria and wellbeing.
After a period of time taking opioids the brain will become accustomed to their presence and will re-programme itself.
The problem is that the brain will enter a state known as tolerance.
This means that you will need ever increasing amounts of the drug to have the same effect as the amount you first started with.
lofexidine
What is Lofexidine?
What it is not is an opioid.
Unlike Methadone and Buprenorphine, Lofexidine is not a substitute for heroin and opioids.
With Lofexidine medical treatment for addiction can be achieved in less than three weeks.
It is not a controlled drug, though it is only available on prescription.
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Lofexidine: How Does it Work?
When you stop taking opioids the brain can not cope with the immediate change.
Incorrect chemical messaging occurs.
In opioid withdrawal, noradrenergic signalling is put into overdrive.
This is what causes withdrawal symptoms.
Lofexidine reduces this signalling.
This makes it easier to go through withdrawal.
Because Lofexidine is not an opioid, dosing is far more straightforward.
Usually, Three tablets (0.54MG) are taken four times a day.
There is no clinical evidence for exceeding this dose though it is possible to take four, four times a day.
Sometimes, if the standard dose is not producing the required result your clinician can introduce the fourth tablet.
The symptoms should peak on day three, depending on what opioids you were taking and how long you were taking them for.
Treatment lasts for between five to fourteen days.
For safety reasons (to prevent high blood pressure) Lofexidine should be reduced over a two to four day period.
it can be taken without food but it is important to spread out dosing and taken no less than six hours apart.
Lofexidine
limitations
Lofexidine is very useful for managing opioid withdrawal symptoms.
However, it is not a conventional treatment for opioid use disorder.
While it can help someone to manage their withdrawals it does not address the psychological aspects of addiction.
Simply getting through withdrawals, whilst a vital element of treatment, is only one aspect of recovery.
Can my GP prescribe it?
No.
Due to the way the NHS commissions addiction services, your GP can not provide you with an NHS prescription for Lofexidine.
While, now, very rare, there are a few “shared care” NHS GP services that are commissioned to provide addiction services but these are the exception, and not the rule.
Lofexidine
Lofexidine: What it can't do
Lofexidine is very useful for managing opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, it is not a conventional treatment for opioid use disorder. While it can help someone to manage their withdrawals it does not address the psychological aspects of addiction. Simply getting through withdrawals, whilst a vital element of treatment, is only one aspect of recovery.
lofexidine
What about home treatment with Lofexidine?
With Lofexidine, very close medical monitoring is needed. This is because of the effect it has on blood pressure.
You will need a live in nurse or highly trained support worker would be needed 24/7. This would make the cost far higher than a stay in rehab.
In any event, treatment at home won't provide the three other elements needed for recovery: Therapy, relapse prevention and aftercare.
With withdrawal comes cravings. At home, you simply wouldn't have the support you need to deal with them.
When you stop taking opioids your tolerance to them drops. If you succumb to cravings you run the risk of accidental overdose.
This is because you are likely to take an amount you think you need to settle yourself. This will be more than your brain can handle and an overdose is very highly likely.
Therapy
All centers who provide treatment for opioid addiction provide a fully immersive therapy programme, either along a 12 step approach or a SMART based recovery model. These run seven days a week and , those in treatment, are obliged to attend all sessions if physically well enough to do so. For new admissions, it can be 24-48 hours , on occasion, before someone is able to take part.
Sitting alongside this programme, many centers also offer adjunctive treatments and therapies such as:
Yoga
Mindfulness
Art therapy
Gentle exercise and group walks
Music therapy
Individual sessions (for those staying more than a week)
Clients, before leaving, are linked in with support groups in their local community, be they voluntary or statutory. A psychological tool kit is built up so that clients have a selection of techniques to employ.
If you need treatment for heroin addiction, heroin addiction advice call and speak to us. We can provide heroin addiction help on 0333 041 9922.
Contact Support
If you find yourself in need of assistance at any hour, we're here to support you around the clock. Whether it's the dead of night or the crack of dawn, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ready to lend a helping hand whenever you require it. So, if you ever find yourself in a pinch or simply need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to reach out. We're committed to being there for you whenever you need us, no matter the time. We only signpost to legally registered services.