Heroin addiction affects both our physical and our mental health.

Heroin works by attaching itself to our natural opioid receptors. These receptors have many functions such as:

• Emotional regulation
• Maintaining body temperature
• Rewarding us
• Regulating pain
• Digestion

Heroin quickly overloads our brain’s receptors with much higher levels of opioids than it is used to. Some of the effects of heroin are:

• Euphoria
• Feeling warm
• Feeling content
• Diminished physical and emotional pain

If we keep taking heroin for a prolonged period, our natural opioid production shuts down. We build a tolerance to the effects of opioids and need a much higher dose than usual to feel the same effects. If we abruptly stop, we suffer from a range of uncomfortable side effects.

Our brain acclimatizes to heroin regulating our bodily functions, and without the presence of heroin in our blood, our body cannot maintain itself independently. All heroin withdrawal symptoms are related to the functions of the opioid system. Some of the side effects are:

• Insomnia
• Heightened sense of physical and emotional pain
• Diarrhea
• Strong urges to use heroin
• Feeling hot and cold
• Nausea
• Vomiting

The first stage of heroin addiction treatment is breaking the physical hold that heroin has on the body.

Heroin addiction is a medical problem and can be clinically treated. We use medications that bind to the opioid receptors and stop our clients from going into rapid withdrawals.

Some of the medications we use are:

• Buprenorphine
• Methadone
• Clonidine

Once we have stabilized our clients, we gradually lower their dosage. This stops the body from going into shock and is much more bearable than going ‘cold turkey.’ Our team of clinical experts monitors your symptoms and makes sure that your first step into recovery is as comfortable as it can be.

Many people try to stop taking heroin independently and usually fail because the withdrawal symptoms are so severe. However, our clients are often surprised at the difference a medically supervised detox makes.

During your time with us, you will have the constant support of our compassionate and empathetic staff. If you experience any difficult feelings or emotions, you will always have someone to talk to who cares.

At Cirque Lodge, we do not believe that any form of rehabilitation should be punishment. Our mission is to improve your life, and a comfortable and manageable heroin detox is the first step towards long-term recovery.

We know that addiction does not define you as a person – we want to help you rediscover who you truly are.

Addiction is a deeply personal condition, and everyone’s underlying causes are different. Effective treatment for heroin addiction requires getting to the root cause of the problem and understanding the delicate interplay between your history, mental health, environment, and reasons for using heroin.

Our addiction centers are located in Sundance, Utah, and the world-renowned 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous underpin our comprehensive program. We offer a range of treatment options, including:

• Trauma
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Experiential therapy
• Dual diagnosis
• Psychoeducational lectures

We offer an in-depth assessment before your arrival, and keep up-to-date during your time with us and adapt your treatment as you progress.

We know that making treatment interesting, enriching, and enjoyable makes it easier to stay engaged, and we also frame recovery in the same light. After all, no one ever stopped taking drugs or drinking to be miserable, and making positive changes should be something you enjoy.

Heroin addiction is not a moral failing – it is a medical condition. Substance abuse diminishes our ability to make rational choices about our actions. It is also usually symptomatic of a larger problem, and a huge percentage of people who use heroin take it to self-medicate.

Our private treatment facilities are the perfect place to begin your journey into recovery. You will form strong bonds with your fellow peers and find sources of inspiration you never thought possible.

Our experiential therapies, including water rafting, a high ropes course, and helicopter rides, will show you new sources of inner strength. These therapies might seem strange, but the skills you learn, such as asking for help, admitting fear, and developing emotional resilience, transpose directly into successful recovery.

We use evidence-based therapies such as CBT and DBT to show you how to break out of negative thought patterns, and our qualified EMDR therapists can help you process historical trauma and forge a positive vision for the future. Alongside this, our dual diagnosis program will address and treat any underlying mental health issues you may have.

At Cirque Lodge, we believe in the power of community. When you join us, you automatically become part of a huge family of thousands of people dedicated to helping each other. We also offer dedicated family weeks to help your immediate family understand addiction, heal any broken relationships, and plan for the future.

We know that recovery is nott always smooth. However, it is much easier when you have got support.

We encourage all of our clients to engage in 12-step community meetings upon leaving our center.

In 12-step meetings, you will benefit from a network of people who share the same goal as you, and you will be able to continue to develop and help others do the same.

We also offer a complimentary alumni program to all former clients to refresh and recharge their recovery (terms and conditions apply.) Should you come back for a visit, you will be an amazing source of inspiration for other current residents too.