The Hope Institute provides heroin addiction treatment for adults recovering from heroin, fentanyl and other opioids. Our outpatient heroin rehab combines medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine (Suboxone) or naltrexone, plus cognitive behavioral therapy and individual and group counseling.
We treat co-occurring depression, anxiety and trauma in the same plan, across partial care, IOP and outpatient levels. Insurance plans we work with include Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana and TRICARE. Call (855) 659-2310 to verify your insurance and start heroin treatment.
Heroin Addiction Treatment Options
The most effective treatment options for heroin combine medication with counseling, delivered at the level of care you need:
- Medication-assisted treatment: buprenorphine (Suboxone) to ease cravings and withdrawal, or naltrexone to block the effect of opioids after detox
- Behavioral therapy: CBT, contingency management and individual and group counseling
- Dual diagnosis care: treatment for depression, anxiety or trauma alongside addiction
- Structured levels of care: partial care, IOP and outpatient, plus aftercare
- Family involvement: sessions that help loved ones support recovery at home
Your assessment brings these together into one plan. Most people start with medication and a structured program, then step down as recovery holds.
Signs of Heroin Addiction
Heroin is a highly addictive opioid, and the signs build over time. Common physical signs include drowsiness, nodding off, weight loss and withdrawal symptoms between uses. Behavioral signs include changes in spending and privacy, needle marks when heroin is injected and losing control over how much or how often you use.
Today’s heroin supply is often mixed with fentanyl, a much stronger opioid. Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose when given in time, so anyone using heroin and their families should keep it on hand. Our team includes naloxone in safety planning.
If you recognize these signs in yourself or someone you love, an assessment is a good next step. It is confidential and helps you understand the right level of care.
Heroin Withdrawal and Detox
Heroin withdrawal is intensely uncomfortable and is usually managed safely with medical support. Symptoms include muscle aches, nausea, sweating, anxiety, poor sleep and strong cravings, and they typically ease over about 5 to 7 days.
Medically supervised heroin detox is the recommended first step, and it is often where medication-assisted treatment begins. Medical care keeps withdrawal more comfortable and lowers the pull to return to use. When detox is needed, we connect you with a trusted detox facility, then bring you into our outpatient heroin rehab once you are stable.
Tolerance drops after detox, so the same amount of an opioid affects the body much more strongly. Starting MAT promptly and keeping naloxone close protect you in early recovery.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Heroin
Medication-assisted treatment is the standard of care for heroin addiction. Buprenorphine eases cravings and withdrawal, naltrexone blocks the effect of opioids, and both support long-term recovery. According to research summarized by the NIH, adults treated with buprenorphine after an overdose had a 38% lower likelihood of dying from an opioid overdose.
| Medication | How it works | How it is taken | Who it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buprenorphine (Suboxone) | Partial opioid agonist, eases cravings and withdrawal | Daily film or tablet | Early to mid recovery, including fentanyl use |
| Naltrexone (Vivitrol) | Blocks opioid effects | Monthly injection | After 7 to 10 opioid-free days; monthly dosing |
| Naltrexone (oral) | Blocks opioid effects | Daily tablet | After 7 to 10 opioid-free days; daily dosing |
Your medical provider chooses the medication with you, based on your recovery stage and preference, and pairs it with counseling.
Suboxone Treatment for Heroin
Suboxone combines buprenorphine with naloxone. Buprenorphine binds to the same receptors as heroin but produces far less effect, so it relieves cravings and withdrawal. The naloxone lowers the potential for misuse.
Suboxone is started once early withdrawal has begun, usually at least 12 hours after the last heroin use, with timing set by your provider. Fentanyl can stay in the body longer, so your provider may wait longer before the first dose. After the dose is stable, Suboxone fits into daily life with regular visits and counseling. Many people return to steady work and family routines once cravings are controlled.
Therapy and Counseling for Heroin Recovery
Medication works best alongside therapy. Our heroin treatment combines cognitive behavioral therapy with individual and group counseling.
CBT helps you recognize the triggers and thought patterns that drive use and build skills to manage them. Contingency management reinforces drug-free progress with clear rewards. Group counseling adds peer support and accountability. Together they cover the behavioral side of recovery, while medication handles cravings and withdrawal.
Sessions also focus on rebuilding daily life: sleep, meals, work or school routines and healthy relationships. Many clients use individual therapy to plan conversations with family and set goals for the months ahead.
Heroin addiction often occurs alongside depression, anxiety or trauma. Our dual diagnosis treatment builds the mental health side into the same plan, so therapy and medication work across both.
Levels of Care for Heroin Rehab
| Level of care | Weekly schedule | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Partial care (PHP) | Daytime, Monday to Friday | Full-day structure, often right after detox |
| Intensive outpatient (IOP) | 3 to 4 sessions, about 3 hours each | Structure around work and family |
| Outpatient (OP) | 2 to 3 sessions, 45 to 60 minutes each | Steady support as recovery holds |
Many people step down through these levels and then into our aftercare program. Evening and virtual IOP tracks help you keep working during heroin treatment.
Partial care suits people who want full-day structure in early recovery, especially right after detox. IOP and outpatient suit people whose dose is stable and who want treatment around work and family. Your clinical team recommends the level at your assessment and adjusts it as you progress.
Heroin Recovery and Relapse Prevention
Heroin recovery builds over months. Your therapist helps you map the triggers tied to past use, including people, places, stress and certain times of day, and build a written plan with coping skills, support people and next steps for high-pressure moments.
Your plan includes naloxone, a list of people to call and a routine that keeps your medication and counseling on track. Family sessions help loved ones understand MAT, recognize early warning signs and support your progress at home. Our aftercare program continues that support once structured treatment ends, with groups, check-ins and 12-step support for people who want it.
Heroin Rehab Cost and Insurance Coverage
Most commercial insurance plans cover outpatient heroin addiction treatment, including medication and counseling. What you pay depends on your plan, deductible and level of care.
Our heroin rehab works with plans including Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, TRICARE and NYSHIP. We verify your benefits before you start and confirm the details directly with your insurer.
We check how your plan covers buprenorphine or naltrexone, your deductible and copay, and whether prior authorization applies to medication or counseling. Private pay options are available as well. Medication is often covered under pharmacy benefits and counseling under behavioral health benefits, and we confirm both on the same call.
How to Start Heroin Addiction Treatment
- Insurance verification: call (855) 659-2310 or submit the form on this page.
- Clinical assessment: a clinician reviews your use, health and goals, and confirms whether detox comes first.
- Medication and treatment plan: you and your provider choose Suboxone or naltrexone and set your level of care.
- Begin treatment: you start medication with counseling in partial care, IOP or outpatient.
Have your insurance card and a list of current medications ready when you call. If you are reaching out for a son, daughter or partner, our admissions team explains how heroin rehab begins and how families take part.
Call (855) 659-2310 to start heroin addiction treatment today. Everything you share is kept confidential.
Medically Reviewed By
Medically Reviewed By Dr. Saquiba Syed, MD, FACP, a Jersey City internist with over 20 years of experience, affiliated with Jersey City Medical Center and CarePoint Health Hoboken University Medical Center. A graduate of King Edward Medical University, she reviews The Hope Institute’s addiction treatment content for medical accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most successful treatment for heroin addiction?
Medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine or naltrexone, combined with counseling such as CBT, is the standard of care for heroin addiction.
What heroin programs do you offer?
We offer partial care, intensive outpatient and outpatient heroin programs, each with medication-assisted treatment, counseling and dual diagnosis care, plus aftercare.
Do I need detox before heroin treatment?
Many people do. Medically supervised detox is the recommended first step, and your assessment confirms whether you need it before outpatient care.
How long after heroin can I start Suboxone?
Usually at least 12 hours after the last use, once early withdrawal has begun. With fentanyl, your provider may wait longer. Your provider sets the exact timing.
How does medication-assisted treatment for heroin work?
Buprenorphine eases cravings and withdrawal, and naltrexone blocks the effect of opioids. Both are paired with counseling that treats the behavioral side of addiction.
What is the recovery rate from heroin addiction?
Recovery rates rise with medication and ongoing care. Buprenorphine treatment after an overdose was linked to a 38% lower likelihood of dying from an opioid overdose in an NIH-summarized study, and staying in MAT and counseling over time supports long-term recovery.
Is heroin withdrawal safe with medical support?
Yes. Heroin withdrawal is intensely uncomfortable and is usually managed safely with medical supervision. Symptoms typically ease over about 5 to 7 days.
Is naltrexone an option for heroin addiction?
Yes. Naltrexone blocks the effect of opioids and is started after detox is complete. It comes as a daily tablet or a monthly Vivitrol injection.
Can I keep working during heroin treatment?
Yes. Evening IOP and outpatient sessions fit around work, and Suboxone treatment fits into daily routines once your dose is stable.
How can I help a loved one addicted to heroin?
Keep naloxone on hand, talk with them calmly and offer to help them call for an assessment. Our team can explain treatment and how families take part.
Does insurance cover heroin treatment?
Most commercial plans cover outpatient heroin treatment. We work with plans including Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana and TRICARE, and we check your coverage before treatment starts.