Heroin · Medical Detox
Heroin Detox in Los Angeles
Physician-supervised heroin detox at our private Sun Valley campus, with buprenorphine-based care planned around today's fentanyl-contaminated supply.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Eric Chegouri, MD, Medical Director · Last reviewed November 7, 2026
If you are using heroin every day, the thought of stopping probably comes with dread. You may have tried before, made it a day or two, and gone back because the sickness was unbearable. That is not a failure of willpower. Heroin withdrawal is brutal, and getting through it without medical help is genuinely hard. Medical detox exists so you do not have to white-knuckle it.
Reggie's provides inpatient heroin detox at our private hilltop campus in Sun Valley, serving people from across Los Angeles, from the San Fernando Valley to South LA. This page walks through what heroin detox looks like here, how to stay safe until you are admitted, how fentanyl in today's supply changes the plan, and what happens after.
Quick answer
Heroin detox at Reggie's is inpatient, physician-supervised withdrawal care at our DHCS-licensed, Joint Commission–accredited campus in Sun Valley. It includes bloodwork and a health screening on arrival, 24/7 nursing, an on-call physician, buprenorphine (Suboxone) and comfort medications timed with fentanyl exposure in mind, and a private suite. Detox typically lasts 5 to 10 days, then continues into residential care. Call (818) 355-1200, 24/7; most people are admitted the same day.
At a glance
- Setting
- Inpatient, private suites on our Sun Valley hilltop
- Typical length
- 5–10 days, based on clinical need
- On arrival
- Bloodwork, vitals and mental-health screening
- Medications
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone), comfort care; naltrexone later where appropriate
- Fentanyl-aware
- Medication timing planned around fentanyl exposure
- Getting here
- 24/7 admissions; transportation can be coordinated
Why choose medical heroin detox?
Heroin withdrawal is rarely deadly by itself, which leads some people to assume they should tough it out alone. The trouble is what tends to happen next. Symptoms peak around days two and three, relief is one call away, and a return to use after even a short break comes with lower tolerance and a supply that often contains fentanyl. That combination makes unsupervised withdrawal one of the riskiest moments for overdose.
Trying to kick alone
- No medication for withdrawal or cravings
- No one watching for dehydration or infection
- Heroin is often a text away at the peak
- Relapse after tolerance drops can be fatal
Medical detox
- Buprenorphine and comfort medications ease symptoms
- 24/7 nursing with an on-call physician
- A calm, substance-free setting
- A planned handoff into ongoing treatment
What does heroin detox at Reggie's look like?
Our inpatient detox is designed for the realities of heroin use today. Care includes:
- An initial assessment with bloodwork, vital signs and a mental-health screening.
- 24/7 nursing, an on-call physician and oversight by our Medical Director.
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone) for many clients, plus comfort medications and tapering protocols.
- A private suite with a spa-style bathroom and mountain views, and chef-prepared meals.
- Light counseling once you are stable, and family updates with your consent.
- A direct transition into residential treatment on the same campus.
There is no judgment here about how you used, how long, or how many times you have tried before. The team needs honest information to keep you safe, and that is all.
How do I get into heroin detox today?
- Step 1Call (818) 355-1200
Day or night. We ask what you have been using, how often and how, along with health and mental-health questions. Family members can call too.
- Step 2Insurance check
With your permission, we verify benefits for free, usually in 15 to 30 minutes, and explain your options.
- Step 3Arrive and begin
Most people finish the process in under two hours and are admitted the same day. If getting here is the barrier, transportation can be coordinated.
People reach us from North Hollywood, Van Nuys, South Los Angeles and throughout the region. See all the areas we serve, and review what to bring on our admissions page.
How do I stay safe until I'm admitted?
If you cannot come in right away, the goal is to stay alive until you can.
What happens in the first 72 hours of heroin detox?
- ArrivalAssessment
Vitals, bloodwork, mental-health screening and a detailed conversation about your last use, the substances involved and any wounds or infections.
- Hours 6–24Withdrawal begins
Yawning, sweats, aches and anxiety appear. Nurses check on you frequently and begin comfort care. Your physician watches for the right moment to start buprenorphine.
- Hours 24–48Induction
Once withdrawal is far enough along, buprenorphine may be introduced carefully, with your response checked closely. Many people find relief comes quickly once the timing is right.
- Hours 48–72Stabilizing
The usual peak of heroin withdrawal. Medication adjustments, fluids, food and rest carry you through it.
For more on how withdrawal unfolds day by day, read our heroin withdrawal guide.
How does fentanyl affect heroin detox?
The CDC reports that illegally made fentanyl is involved in most opioid overdose deaths in the U.S., and it is commonly found in heroin. For detox, this matters mostly for timing. Buprenorphine binds tightly to opioid receptors; if it is started while fentanyl is still active, it can cause precipitated withdrawal, a sudden and severe worsening of symptoms. Because fentanyl can build up in the body with regular use, the usual waiting period may not be reliable.
Physicians use different induction approaches for people exposed to fentanyl, and your care team will choose one based on your history. This is one of the clearest reasons heroin detox should be medically supervised today. Learn more on our fentanyl addiction page.
Will detox address injection-related health problems?
Yes, as part of the assessment. According to the CDC, sharing needles or other injection equipment spreads HIV and hepatitis C, and injecting can cause skin abscesses and serious infections. Bloodwork on arrival helps the care team understand your health, and they will discuss anything it finds and how to get it treated alongside your recovery. If you have a wound that is red, hot, swollen or draining, or you have a fever, tell the team right away.
Detox is also often the first time in a long while that someone has eaten, slept and been looked after properly. Nutrition and rest are part of the treatment.
What medications are used for heroin detox?
Medication-assisted treatment has the strongest evidence base for opioid use disorder, according to SAMHSA and NIDA. At Reggie's, options include:
| Medication | Role | When it starts |
|---|---|---|
| Buprenorphine (Suboxone) | Eases withdrawal and cravings; can continue as maintenance | Once withdrawal has begun, timed by your physician |
| Naltrexone (oral or monthly injection) | Blocks opioid effects to help prevent relapse | After opioids have fully cleared, usually after detox |
| Comfort medications | Target nausea, diarrhea, aches, anxiety and sleep | Throughout detox, as needed |
Reggie's does not offer methadone, which is dispensed only through federally certified opioid treatment programs. Our MAT program page explains how buprenorphine and naltrexone compare.
How long is heroin detox?
Heroin detox at Reggie's typically lasts 5 to 10 days. Heavy daily use, fentanyl exposure, other substances such as benzodiazepines or alcohol, and medical issues can extend the stay. Your physician decides with you when you are stable enough to move on. Cravings and poor sleep often continue past detox; that is normal, and it is what ongoing treatment is for.
Is heroin detox covered by insurance?
Many PPO plans include benefits for medically necessary detox, residential care and MAT, though coverage depends on your plan. Reggie's works with most major PPO plans and verifies benefits for free, usually in 15 to 30 minutes. Your employer is not notified. HMO options for our level of care are limited, but we will help point you toward resources, and self-pay options can be discussed. We generally don't accept Medi-Cal, but if that's your coverage we'll connect you with a provider who does. Start on our insurance page.
What happens after heroin detox?
The days right after detox carry the highest overdose risk, because tolerance is low and cravings are still strong. Moving straight into continued care, often with medication, is one of the most protective steps you can take.
- Residential treatment (30 to 90 days) on the same Sun Valley campus, with individual and group therapy, CBT, DBT and trauma-informed care.
- PHP and IOP at Reggie's Treatment Center on W. Manchester Ave in Los Angeles, with day and evening tracks.
- Sober living with a house manager, random testing and a sober community.
- Aftercare and alumni programming to stay connected long after discharge.
Families can find guidance on our family resources page, and anyone unsure whether a loved one is using can read about the signs of heroin addiction.
Key takeaways
- Heroin detox at Reggie's is inpatient and medically supervised, with 24/7 nursing and an on-call physician.
- Fentanyl in the supply makes buprenorphine timing more complex, so supervision matters.
- Until you are admitted: never use alone, carry naloxone and avoid sedatives.
- Detox typically lasts 5–10 days and should lead straight into residential or outpatient care.
Sources & further reading
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) — heroin and opioid use disorder treatment.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — medications for opioid use disorder.
- CDC: Overdose Prevention — fentanyl, overdose response and naloxone.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — HIV, hepatitis C and injection-related infections.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — buprenorphine, naltrexone and over-the-counter naloxone.
- SAMHSA National Helpline — free, confidential referrals, 1-800-662-4357, 24/7.
This page is educational and does not replace medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.
FAQs
Heroin Detox Questions
In most cases, yes. Admissions is open 24/7, the process usually takes under two hours, and most people are admitted the same day. We verify insurance for free, typically in 15 to 30 minutes, and can coordinate transportation if getting to Sun Valley is a barrier.
Tell the admissions team honestly when you last used and what it was; do not use extra to "get through" the trip. If you do use before arriving, never use alone, have naloxone nearby and avoid mixing with sedatives. Your physician uses the timing of your last use to plan when to start buprenorphine safely.
That is very common, and it does not stop you from getting care. It does change medication timing, because buprenorphine started too soon after fentanyl can trigger precipitated withdrawal. Your physician will choose an induction approach based on your history, which is one reason heroin detox is best done under medical supervision.
Withdrawal is uncomfortable, but medical detox aims to keep it as manageable as possible. Buprenorphine, comfort medications, fluids, food and rest work together, and nurses check on you around the clock. Most people find the worst of it passes within a few days, with lighter symptoms after that.
Detox is voluntary. If you feel like leaving, which is common around the withdrawal peak, talk to the nursing team first. They can often adjust your care to ease symptoms. Leaving early and using again is especially dangerous because tolerance drops quickly, so the team will help you think through the risks.
Yes. Polysubstance use is common, and our detox treats opioids alongside stimulants, benzodiazepines, alcohol and prescription medications. Tell the team about everything you use. Some combinations, especially with alcohol or benzodiazepines, need careful medical monitoring because their withdrawal can be dangerous.
No. Reggie's offers buprenorphine (Suboxone) and naltrexone. Methadone for opioid use disorder is dispensed only through federally certified opioid treatment programs. If you are already on methadone, tell us when you call and our team can talk through your situation and options.