Heroin addiction is treatable, and you don’t have to put your whole life on hold to recover. Zoe Behavioral Health in Lake Forest provides outpatient treatment for heroin and opioid addiction across Orange County. We combine medication-assisted treatment, therapy and a clear plan for getting through detox safely.
If someone may be overdosing (slow or stopped breathing, blue lips, unresponsive), call 911 and give naloxone (Narcan) if you have it. Naloxone is available without a prescription at California pharmacies.
Heroin in Orange County today: why fentanyl changes everything
Much of the heroin and “dope” sold in Southern California now contains fentanyl, or is fentanyl. Fentanyl is far stronger than heroin, and it has driven the rise in opioid overdose deaths in Orange County. So using “just heroin” carries a much higher overdose risk than it used to, and withdrawal can start sooner and feel more intense.
If you’ve been using street opioids, tell our team. It affects how detox and medication are planned. Read more about fentanyl addiction treatment.
How heroin treatment works at Zoe
Step 1: Safe detox, coordinated for you
Heroin and fentanyl withdrawal is rarely life-threatening on its own, but it’s intensely uncomfortable. It’s also the point where relapse and overdose risk are highest, because tolerance drops fast. Zoe doesn’t provide inpatient detox on-site. We coordinate your admission to a trusted medical detox partner in Southern California. When detox ends, you move straight into our program, so there’s no gap for relapse to slip into.
How detox coordination works →
Step 2: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
Medications for opioid use disorder are the most effective treatment available for heroin addiction. They cut cravings, block the effects of opioids and substantially reduce overdose risk. MAT pairs FDA-approved medication with therapy. Depending on your history and preferences, your provider may recommend:
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone): reduces cravings and withdrawal
- Naltrexone: blocks the effects of opioids, started after detox
MAT isn’t “trading one drug for another”. It’s standard medical care, recommended by SAMHSA and major medical organizations. More about MAT at Zoe →
Step 3: Therapy at the right level of care
Medication treats the body. Therapy rebuilds the rest. You’ll attend treatment at the level of structure you need:
- Partial Hospitalization (PHP): the most structured level, right after detox
- Intensive Outpatient (IOP): several days a week, while you return to work or family
- Outpatient (OP): ongoing support as you stabilize
Treatment includes individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, dual diagnosis care for depression, anxiety and trauma, and a relapse-prevention plan that includes overdose prevention.
Step 4: Aftercare and overdose prevention
Before you step down, you’ll leave with:
- a written relapse-prevention plan
- a medication continuity plan
- overdose-prevention education for you and your family, including how to get and use naloxone
- connections to ongoing support, including sober living if you need a stable place to live
Is outpatient treatment right for heroin addiction?
For many people, yes, especially with MAT and a stable place to live. Outpatient care may not be enough if you’re unable to stop using between sessions, have serious medical or psychiatric complications, or your living situation puts your recovery at risk. We’ll assess that honestly on the first call. If you need residential care, we’ll help you find it.
Signs it's time to get help
- You feel sick (sweats, aches, anxiety, diarrhea) when you go without
- You need more to get the same effect
- You’ve switched from pills to heroin or fentanyl because it’s cheaper or easier to get
- You’ve tried to quit and couldn’t
- You’ve had an overdose, or friends have
- Money, work, relationships or the law are being affected
If any of these sound familiar, one confidential call can tell you your options.
For families
If someone you love is using heroin:
- Carry naloxone and learn how to use it
- Talk without ultimatums. Approaches like CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) have better success rates than confrontation.
- Call us. We can talk through how to approach them and what treatment would look like, even if they aren’t ready yet.
Heroin Addiction Treatment FAQs
Do you offer heroin detox?
Zoe doesn’t provide inpatient medical detox on-site. We coordinate admission to trusted detox partners in Southern California and bring you directly into our outpatient program afterward, so there’s no gap in care.
Can I get Suboxone in outpatient treatment?
Yes, where clinically appropriate. Buprenorphine (Suboxone) can be prescribed and managed as part of outpatient treatment, alongside therapy.
How long does heroin withdrawal last?
Withdrawal from short-acting opioids like heroin usually starts within hours of the last use, peaks in the first few days and eases within about a week. Fentanyl can change that timeline. Some symptoms, like cravings and poor sleep, can last longer, which is why ongoing treatment matters.
Is it dangerous to use after detox?
Yes. After detox your tolerance drops, so a dose you used to take can now cause a fatal overdose. That’s why continuing treatment and MAT right after detox is so important.
Does insurance cover heroin addiction treatment?
Most health plans cover outpatient addiction treatment and MAT. We can verify your benefits free, usually in minutes.
Zoe Can Give You the Tools You Need to Move Forward
If you’re ready to beat your heroin addiction, you don’t have to fight alone. Zoe offers a wide variety of personalized substance abuse recovery plans to choose from. Whether you prefer inpatient or outpatient care, medication-assisted treatment, or not, we have an option that can help you heal.
So why wait? Take the first step towards lasting sobriety and long-term recovery by getting in touch with one of our addiction specialists for a free consultation today. Our treatment approach is designed to address the psychological aspects and underlying issues of substance use disorder through behavioral therapies and addiction medicine. In Southern California, our rehab centers provide a supportive environment ideal for positive change and avoiding relapse.
Our treatment facility offers a comprehensive path to recovery that includes a personalized treatment plan tailored to the individual therapy needs of each client. We focus on the physical dependence and emotional aspects of addiction, aiming for lasting recovery. Through the use of various forms of therapy and support, including ongoing support and peer support, we help individuals break free from the cycle of drug use and find a new life free from the constraints of opioid receptors and other opioids. With the help of dedicated healthcare professionals, we strive to bring about positive change and a holistic approach to healing.