Heroin Addiction Treatment in Cherry Hill, NJ
Heroin use disorder is one of the most challenging — and most treatable — substance use conditions. At Hope Harbor Addiction Center in Cherry Hill, we provide evidence-based heroin addiction treatment including medical detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with Suboxone and Vivitrol, and residential care. Our team serves Camden County and all of South Jersey. Call us 24/7 at (732) 523-5239 — confidential, no obligation.
Heroin and the South Jersey Opioid Crisis
According to New Jersey's Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), heroin accounted for approximately 36% of all NJ treatment admissions in 2022 — making it one of the top substances driving treatment demand statewide. Camden County alone recorded 7,390 treatment admissions in 2022, the third highest of any county in New Jersey.
A critical reality for anyone struggling with heroin in South Jersey today: the vast majority of street heroin in the region is now contaminated with illicitly manufactured fentanyl. This means the overdose risk from heroin use has never been higher — a person who believes they are using heroin is almost certainly using fentanyl-laced heroin, with potency and lethality that far exceeds what heroin users experienced even five years ago.
The 37% decline in Camden County overdose deaths in 2024 (from 327 to 206) reflects real progress — but with Camden still ranking second in New Jersey for overdose deaths, accessible professional treatment in Cherry Hill remains urgently needed.
Heroin Withdrawal: What to Expect
Heroin withdrawal is notoriously uncomfortable, which is one of the primary reasons people continue using despite wanting to stop. Understanding the timeline helps people prepare for medically supported detox:
- Onset: 6–12 hours after last use
- Peak: 36–72 hours — the most intense phase, with muscle cramps, sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, and insomnia
- Resolution: Primary physical symptoms largely resolve within 5–7 days
- Post-Acute Withdrawal: Cravings, low mood, sleep disruption, and anhedonia can persist for weeks to months
Medical detox at Hope Harbor manages withdrawal with FDA-approved medications (including buprenorphine initiated during detox), continuous nursing oversight, and supportive care — making the process far safer and more tolerable than attempting withdrawal alone.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Heroin Addiction
MAT is the gold standard for heroin use disorder. Research consistently shows that buprenorphine-based treatment reduces overdose mortality by 50% or more. Hope Harbor integrates MAT into our heroin treatment program from detox through outpatient follow-up:
- Buprenorphine / Suboxone: Partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal without producing euphoria. Taken daily as a film or tablet. Can be initiated during medical detox and continued long-term.
- Naltrexone / Vivitrol: A full opioid antagonist that blocks all opioid effects. Given as a once-monthly injection after completing detox. Ideal for motivated individuals who want a non-opioid medication option.
For a detailed overview of all MAT medications, see our medication-assisted treatment page. MAT is also central to our opioid treatment program.
Heroin Treatment at Hope Harbor: Our Continuum of Care
Effective heroin treatment doesn't end at detox. Hope Harbor provides a full continuum of care designed to support long-term recovery:
- Medical Detox: 24/7 supervised withdrawal management with comfort medications and MAT initiation. Learn more at our medical detox program page.
- Inpatient/Residential Rehab: Structured residential treatment with individual and group therapy, relapse prevention, and daily recovery support. Inpatient is often the most appropriate level of care for heroin given the high relapse risk in the community. See our inpatient rehab program.
- Outpatient Programs: PHP and IOP for step-down care or those with stable living situations. Continued MAT, therapy, and peer support.
For a full timeline of what to expect during opioid withdrawal, visit our opioid withdrawal timeline page.
Ready to Start Recovery? Our Cherry Hill Team is Available 24/7.
Free, confidential assessments. Insurance accepted. Same-day intake available.
Why Choose Inpatient for Heroin?
Heroin's relapse risk is among the highest of any substance. The combination of intense post-acute cravings, fentanyl-contaminated street supply, and the life circumstances that often accompany heroin use disorder makes an inpatient or residential setting critically important for most people seeking recovery for the first time — or returning after relapse.
Inpatient treatment removes you from the people, places, and triggers associated with use, providing a structured environment where recovery skills can be built before re-entering the community. Hope Harbor's Cherry Hill location — accessible from Camden City, Philadelphia, Voorhees, and throughout South Jersey — makes inpatient care achievable close to home.
Heroin Addiction Treatment FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Heroin withdrawal is rarely directly life-threatening in otherwise healthy adults, but it is intensely uncomfortable and carries serious indirect risks. The most dangerous complication is relapse: a person who stops using heroin and then uses again has dramatically reduced tolerance and faces extreme overdose risk — especially with today's fentanyl-contaminated supply. Medical detox at Hope Harbor keeps you safe, monitored, and supported through the full withdrawal process, eliminating the relapse-during-withdrawal risk.
The most effective approach combines medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with behavioral therapy and structured support. Buprenorphine (Suboxone) and naltrexone (Vivitrol) are both FDA-approved for opioid use disorder and reduce overdose mortality by 50% or more. For most people, inpatient or residential treatment following medical detox provides the best foundation for long-term recovery, followed by a step-down to IOP or outpatient care with continued MAT.
Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) works by partially activating opioid receptors, which reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the euphoric high of heroin. The naloxone component discourages injection misuse. Because buprenorphine has a ceiling effect, it is much safer than full opioids. When taken consistently as prescribed, Suboxone allows people to stabilize their lives, engage in therapy, and dramatically reduce overdose risk. It is not 'just replacing one drug with another' — it is evidence-based medical treatment.
Vivitrol (naltrexone) is a once-monthly injectable medication that fully blocks opioid receptors. If someone on Vivitrol uses heroin or fentanyl, they feel no effect — which eliminates the reward of using and breaks the cycle of craving. Vivitrol requires complete detoxification before starting (typically 7–10 days opioid-free) and is a strong option for people who prefer a non-opioid medication or who have already completed MAT with buprenorphine.
Yes. New Jersey's Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires insurers to cover substance use disorder treatment — including heroin detox, MAT, inpatient rehab, and outpatient programs — comparably to medical benefits. Most major commercial insurers cover heroin treatment. Call Hope Harbor at (732) 523-5239 for a free, no-obligation benefits verification — we'll check your specific plan before you make any decisions.
Ready to Start Recovery? Our Cherry Hill Team is Available 24/7.
Free, confidential assessments. Insurance accepted. Same-day intake available.