Can Heroin Cause Seizures?

The Connections Between Heroin Withdrawal and Seizures

You likely are familiar with the fact that heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug. And you may know that it can affect the human body and brain in serious ways. Getting off of heroin is an essential first step in the recovery process, but it is not recommended that people go through withdrawal on their own.

Why? People getting off of various illicit drugs run the risk of withdrawal symptoms that can range from mild to severe, including seizures. So, can heroin cause seizures?

Purpose Healing Center is a leader in Arizona addiction, mental health, and trauma treatment. Let’s review what you should know about the connection between heroin, withdrawal, and seizures, as well as how treatment can help.

Can Heroin Cause Seizures?

Yes. Heroin can cause seizures. There are a couple of ways this can happen. First, some people going through heroin withdrawal can have seizures. Additionally, seizures may occur in cases of heroin overdose.

Not everyone who uses heroin will have a seizure. Other consequences, such as legal and financial problems, brain changes, personality changes, and long-term medical complications, can also occur.

The Connection Between Heroin Withdrawal and Seizures

Seizures (whether status epilepticus or other forms) are indeed a possible symptom of opioid withdrawal.

However, it can be comforting to know that seizures are rarely reported in those going through opioid withdrawal. Seizures tend to be less common than some other opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Newborns who are born dependent on opioid drugs are at risk of seizures. These are one of many possible symptoms seen in children with neonatal abstinence syndrome. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, this is a possible complication to be aware of.

Respiratory Failure During Heroin Overdose and Seizure Risk

The main cause of death in those experiencing a heroin overdose is respiratory failure. While seizures resulting from intoxication are less common, they can occur in cases of heroin overdose (opioid toxicity).

General Forms of Drug Abuse and Seizure Disorders

Other causes can contribute to an increased risk of seizures in people with heroin addiction. For example, if you have a seizure disorder, you may forget to take your prescribed seizure medication as a result of drug use.

What Factors Affect the Risk of Seizures as an Opiate User

Here are some factors that may affect your or your loved one’s seizure risk:

• Existing health conditions. Your overall health and personal history, including whether you have a condition like epilepsy, can influence your seizure risk.
• Using another substance. Withdrawal seizures are not linked to heroin use alone. People going through withdrawal from other drugs, like alcohol, cocaine, amphetamine, and benzodiazepines, can also experience seizures.

Mention any health conditions you have to treatment professionals. Be honest with treatment providers about all of the recreational drugs and prescription drugs you use.

We are not here to judge. Instead, it’s important that we have the information necessary to help you through withdrawal.

Additional Clinical Features of Heroin Withdrawal

Of course, seizures aren’t the only possible symptom of heroin withdrawal. Additional clinical features seen in opioid withdrawal can include, but aren’t limited to:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Insomnia (trouble sleeping).
• Increased blood pressure.
• Changes in body temperature.
• Muscle and bone aches.
• Runny nose.
• Dilated pupils.
• Goose bumps.
• Tachycardia.
• Sweating.
• Yawning.
• Diarrhea.

Commonly, these symptoms start to alleviate within a couple of weeks or less. Emotional symptoms, like agitation, anxiety, or feelings of depression, can also occur.

Attending Detox for Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

Despite being a less common manifestation of heroin withdrawal, treatment providers must be aware that it’s possible for heroin withdrawal to lead to withdrawal seizures. The experts at Purpose Healing Center can help you get through the detox process.

In medical detox, your vital signs will be monitored 24/7 to help you avoid complications. Since healthcare professionals are present around the clock, they will be able to respond to and treat withdrawal symptoms right away if needed.

Medications, hydration support (in the case of dehydration), and other treatments will be used to aid withdrawal management. Most clients require detox for around 1-2 weeks before proceeding to a therapy program, such as an inpatient drug rehab program.

The Importance of Ongoing Therapy for Heroin Abuse

After completing detox, we recommend that you enter one of our inpatient or outpatient programs for heroin abuse. Rather than focus on abstinence alone, these structured programs matter because they address the underlying causes of drug use and help patients learn long-term recovery skills.

In addition to medical detox, Purpose Healing Center offers:

• Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab.
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP).
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP).
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
• Dual-diagnosis treatment.

Our inpatient and outpatient heroin treatment programs employ evidence-based therapies and complementary treatments. Often, it’s recommended that clients participate in inpatient rehab followed by outpatient treatment as part of a step-down approach.

We also provide aftercare planning and alumni support for those who have completed our programs. The spectrum of treatment options at our centers makes it possible for you or your loved one to get consistent support throughout all stages of the recovery process.

Call Purpose for Effective Heroin Addiction Treatment in Arizona

Purpose Healing Center provides a full continuum of care for substance abuse and mental health. We have two locations: One in Phoenix, AZ, and one in Scottsdale, AZ. We accept AHCCCS and most forms of insurance in-network, and are proud to work with individuals and families from any across Maricopa County, Arizona, and the United States.

Please call our admissions line confidentially today for more information about heroin detox and addiction treatment. Our team is here to run an insurance verification check, answer your questions, and start the intake process to get you help now.

FAQs in Addition to Can Heroin Cause Seizures?

Can drug-induced seizures be cured?

Yes. Drug-induced seizures can be cured. Prompt treatment, which typically involves medication, is imperative for drug-induced seizures. Though this is not always true, some people who have their first seizure as a result of drugs may never have a seizure again.

What causes seizures in drug addicts?

Certain drugs impact the neurotransmitters (e.g., GABA, dopamine) in your brain. Especially if you take a drug that affects GABA receptors, like alcohol, sudden removal can lead to seizures.

Overdose is another possible cause of seizures in people with drug addiction. This is not limited to heroin overdose and can include other substances.

What drugs are the most likely to cause seizures?

Fentanyl, synthetic cannabis products, and stimulants (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines) have been linked to seizure activity. These are not the only drugs that can impact seizure risk. For example, alcohol and opioid withdrawal can cause seizures.

Is financial support available for those who need heroin addiction treatment?

Yes. Purpose Healing Center accepts most forms of insurance and other payment methods to help people and families cover the cost of substance abuse treatment.

 

References

1. Seizure as a primary presentation in opioid withdrawal – jain – 2018 – psychiatry and clinical neurosciences – wiley online library. (n.d.-i).
2. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.-b). Neonatal abstinence syndrome: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia. MedlinePlus.
3. Regina, A. C. (2025, January 22). Opioid toxicity. StatPearls [Internet].
4. Drug abuse as a seizure trigger | epilepsy foundation. (n.d.-a).
5. Chen, H.-Y., Albertson, T. E., & Olson, K. R. (2016, March). Treatment of drug-induced seizures. British journal of clinical pharmacology.
6. Rogawski, M. A. (2005). Update on the neurobiology of alcohol withdrawal seizures. Epilepsy currents.
7. Sanchez-Ramos, J., Sharma, A., Tetrault, J., Wills, B., Adams, A., DeLorenzo, R. J., Havenon, A., Hill, S., Holen, A., Liakoni, E. (2019, April 8). Seizures as a complication of recreational drug use: Analysis of the euro-den plus data-set. NeuroToxicology.