It doesn’t matter how you got into heroin use. Instead, what matters now is that you need help and that there are numerous resources available to get you the help you need. Rehab treatment centers, support groups, counseling sessions are all resources and tools that can help you or a loved one get clean and remain sober.

Unfortunately, not everyone in addiction knows where to start or where to find the resources. But on the bright side, when you get to your end, heroin addiction hotlines swoop in for the rescue.

If you or a friend is deep in heroin addiction, you should not wait a day longer to get help. Take some time and connect to a heroin addiction hotline while the situation can be salvaged.  The hotline representative will guide you on where to look for help and remain sober.

In this piece, we shall guide you to the heroin hotlines you can call to get you started on your path to recovery.

What is a heroin addiction hotline?

Simply put, a heroin addiction hotline is a telephone number you can call when you need help in getting heroin addiction treatment. Usually, the service is handled by professionals who listen and guide you to the best help depending on your situation.

Many of the hotline representatives/professionals have dealt with drug addiction in their life. In other words, they struggled with addiction or watched a loved one struggle with the same. As a result, they understand your situation all too well and do not pass judgment. Moreover, the conversations held on the hotlines are private, and your identity remains anonymous.

Note: heroin addiction hotlines are not emergency lines. As such, in case you or your loved one is experiencing health problems from a heroin overdose, you should call 911.

Heroin addiction treatment hotlines

It is impossible to deal with heroin addiction without professional help. Therefore, to get insight on treatment facilities in your area, call any of the hotlines below.

SAMHSA National Helpline

Phone: 800-662-4357

SAMHSA has a national addiction treatment hotline that helps in connecting addicts or their loved ones with treatment resources in their location. The hotline is a source of information for anyone dealing with heroin addiction. In addition, it is available 24/7, and you should use it to get a chance at living a sober life again.

National Mental Health Association

Phone: 1-800-969-6642

Like SAMHSA, this hotline is available to offer addiction treatment information. However, they are only available during regular working hours and focus more on mental health.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Phone: 1-800-273-8255

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7, and though it offers information on addiction treatment, it also offers emotional support.

Self-help groups

Assuming you’ve gone through heroin addiction treatment, self-help groups come in handy. The groups are beneficial in helping you remain sober after treatment. To get you started, below are some self-help groups you can call.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Phone: 818-773-9999 extension 771

NA is simply a 12-step program for individuals who have completed drug addiction treatment. Initially, the group was for those who escaped from the grip of heroin opioids addiction. However, over time it has expanded its focus and now accepts individuals who were addicted to other drugs as well.

The NA fellowship services offer general information and answers to drug addiction. You can call the number to learn more about the program they offer.

SMART Recovery

Phone: 866-951-5357

Unlike NA, SMART Recovery is more of a science-based self-help group for individuals recovering from addictions. The group offers forums, support groups, chat rooms, and a host of other tools to its members to use to remain sobear.

In case of a heroin overdose

You’ve seen situations of a heroin overdose in movies, or probably even experienced it. The one thing that stands out from such situations is the despair, fear, and seriousness of the addiction. Without getting immediate medical attention, there’s a chance it could be the end of the road for you or a loved one. To prevent the worst from happening, you need emergency service and not a helpline or self-help group. Here are some numbers you can call.

911 – Emergency services

For any emergency, including heroin overdose, call 911. The first responders could save someone’s life by giving naloxone. So how do you know the situation is a medical emergency? Well, if someone has the below symptoms, you need to act fast.

  • Vomiting
  • Slow breathing
  • Slow heart rate
  • Unconsciousness
  • Pale or blue skin, nails or lips
  • Limp body parts
  • Muscle spasms

In the event someone doesn’t have the above symptoms, but you still need more information, call the Poison Help Line.

800-222-1222 – Poison Help Line

This help line will connect you to the poison control center in your area and offer you answers to questions on the effects of heroin on the body.

Understanding heroin and how to know someone is using

There’s no sugar-coating it; Heroin is an addictive drug. It’s often described as an opiate, which means that it’s made from morphine gotten from the poppy plant. Many abusers use heroin by injecting it directly into their bloodstream or sniffing it. Regardless of the method they use, heroin causes feelings of calm and relaxation, which hooks many people to the drug.

But on the flip side, heroin has some severe psychological and physical effects. Following these effects are overdose-related emergency hospitalizations, the transmission of diseases including hepatitis C and HIV, and even deaths. Also, the cravings that follow heroin withdrawal are dangerous, which makes users fear to go into heroin addiction treatment.

Some of the withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Sweating
  • Runny eyes and nose
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle cramps
  • Anxiety
  • Vomiting

Signs someone is addicted to heroin

Besides having a strong gut feeling, below are some signs a friend or loved one is using:

  • Paraphernalia – using heroin requires a handful of tools, including bent spoons, needles, and lighters. If these tools are kept together, it’s not a coincidence. Instead, they are on standby awaiting the preparation of heroin.
  • Weight loss – heroin users have a difficult time eating healthy. This is because heroin is an opiate, and it affects normal appetite. Consequently, reduced appetite leads to weight loss and health problems associated with malnutrition.
  • Scars – many heroin addicts usually try their best to leave minimal scarring behind after injecting heroin into their bloodstream. But with consistent use, it’s impossible to avoid scarring completely. Usually, these scars are clustered around the veins on the arms.
  • Financial problems – heroin is expensive. With its high cost, only a few people can afford to sustain its use without denting their finances over time. If you notice a critical shortage of cash and any of the above symptoms, it could be that the money is used on heroin.

When should I call the heroin addiction hotline?

Once you realize your loved one is addicted to heroin, call the hotline immediately, and get your addiction treatment facts. If you choose to wait for another week or month, it could be too late. As you prepare to call the hotline, you should prepare to answer some of the questions below.

  • How much are they using?
  • Does the individual have a history of mental or physical health problems?
  • Is the individual a danger to themselves or those around them?
  • Has the individual been through addiction treatment before?
  • Do you want a treatment facility in your area or a different area?
  • What kind of insurance does the individual have?

In case you are calling for your sake, below is a variation of the questions you should expect.

  • How often do you use heroin?
  • Do you use heroin alongside other drugs?
  • Do you have any co-occurring illnesses manifesting, including anxiety or depression.
  • Are you ready to undergo treatment, or are you just on a fact-finding mission?

Also, you might have to prepare a list of questions that the hotline representative should clarify. The questions could include:

  • How much does a heroin treatment program cost?
  • What kind of treatment is ideal?
  • What payment options are available?
  • How does the treatment program work?
  • Does the treatment program include detox?
  • Does the treatment facility offer transport to their location?

Why should I even call a heroin addiction hotline?

Calling the hotline is not a show of weakness. On the contrary, it only means you acknowledge the situation you are in and that you need help getting better. Additionally, it shows how determined you are to get your life back.

Many people call the hotlines for several reasons, including:

  • To learn more about the dangers of using heroin and the addictive potential of the drug.
  • Because they are concerned about their friends.
  • To find a rehab treatment facility.
  • Learning about the types of therapies used in heroin addiction treatment.
  • To know what they should expect when they get into treatment.

Regardless of your reason for calling, you cannot dispute that heroin addiction hotlines are a great resource.

Recovery options for heroin abusers

There are two primary types of heroin addiction treatment. These are:

  • Inpatient treatment
  • Outpatient treatment

Outpatient treatment

This is a form of treatment where you visit the treatment facility for treatment. With this treatment program, you can still handle other responsibilities at work and home.  The treatments under this category include:

  • Behavioral interventions
  • Group therapy
  • Individual psychotherapy
  • Medication management

Though the treatments are different, no single treatment is termed better than the other. They all achieve desired results and are used on individuals depending on their situation. With that said, the best treatment program is a combination of behavioral and medication treatment. For many people, methadone maintenance is used as a heroin substitute.

In case your heroin addiction is severe and has been around for longer, you will benefit from an equally severe and intensive outpatient program. This means that you’ll get higher levels of care as you attend frequently and get longer treatment sessions.

Inpatient treatment

This type of treatment requires you to be in a treatment facility for the duration of your treatment. During this time, you will receive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and drug-based treatment or a combination of them.

The inpatient rehab facilities vary in quality and conditions. They might be executive, luxury, or standard. The type of treatment administered is not the same for all patients. Instead, it varies depending on a couple of factors including;

  • History of heroin addiction
  • If the patient has had previous heroin treatments

Aside from Inpatient treatment, below are the alternatives available:

  • A 30-day treatment program – this is a traditional type of treatment where the patient goes through detox or addiction treatment. Unfortunately, this program is not always enough for most heroin addicts.
  • 60-90 day treatment programs – this is a better alternative treatment program than the 30-day treatment since it provides more time for detoxification.
  • Luxury treatment – as the name suggests, the treatment is conducted in fancy settings, including fine dining and massage parlors. The program could also include sports activities lie horseback riding and tennis.
  • Executive rehabs – these are designed for individuals who cannot take time away from work during the treatment period. The treatment program is designed in a way that they continue with their work as they get addiction treatment.

What about teenagers?

Teenagers who struggle with heroin abuse need special care. In this case, behavioral therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, have proven to be helpful with teens. The programs target the relationships teens have with their families and work on their communication skills. Also, they address co-occurring mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety.

What is detoxification?

Detoxification is a process of treating withdrawal symptoms when heroin addiction treatment starts. You can think of it like cleaning the drug from the system and handling the withdrawal symptoms that manifest. The process lasts for a couple of hours or days.

Note: detoxification isn’t a treatment for heroin addiction. Instead, it is the first process in heroin treatment. It is usually backed with other treatments, including behavioral therapy.

Heroin detoxification is uncomfortable given the withdrawal symptoms that manifest. But even then, patients are rarely in serious health dangers. Moreover, addiction treatment facilities normally use opioids analogs like naloxone to ease the withdrawal symptoms.

Types of heroin detox

The type of heroin detox you go through, and the length of the treatment will depend on the facility you are in. With that, the types of detox include:

  • Medical detox – this is a supervised process where you receive medication to manage your withdrawal symptoms. The process takes between 12 and 14 days.
  • Maintenance treatment – in this detox treatment, the patient receives medication over time as the dosage reduces. The idea is to wean the patient off of heroin dependence without experiencing extreme withdrawal symptoms.

Thinking twice about calling a heroin addiction hotline?

We understand that calling a hotline is not the easiest thing to do. But on the other hand, it is something you have to do to embark on a journey of getting your life back. The beauty of calling the hotline is that they understand your situation; they do not judge and do not force you to get treatment. They merely equip you with information and let you decide then or later.

You should know that it’s better now than later. The only moment we are assured of and have control over is now.

FAQs

How much does heroin addiction treatment cost?

The cost of this treatment varies depending on the program you are on. Generally, residential and inpatient addiction treatment programs are more expensive in comparison to outpatient treatment programs. This is mainly because the former treatment programs are intensive. They also include offering boarding facilities and food, which increases the cost of treatment.

Will the hotline expose the information I share with them?

No, it will not. The conversations held on the call are confidential. They only use the information to create treatment plans that are ideal for your situation. The information is not shared with third parties without your consent.

How much does calling the heroin addiction hotline cost?

Addiction hotlines are free. They are set up to help those looking for assistance about heroin addiction treatment. The hotlines understand the amount of courage it takes you to make the call. Moreover, they are aware how heroin abuse eats away at your finances. As a result, they prefer if you used the money to get treatment instead. Also, these hotlines are run by large organizations, that can afford to offer the free service.

Will I get in trouble for calling the hotline?

No, you will not. Remember, all conversations on the hotline are confidential. The authorities will, therefore, not know your whereabouts or what you are up to.

Do the treatment facilities accept insurance payments?

Yes, some treatment facilities do. But you have to confirm with the specific treatment facility. On the other hand, you need to confirm if your insurance plan covers addiction treatments.