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Heroin Addiction Treatment

Legacy Outdoor Adventures treats people aged 18 and older struggling with heroin addiction, opioid use disorder (OUD), other forms of substance use disorder (SUD), and co-occurring mental health issues. Our Utah treatment center offers licensed residential care.

Our Heroin Addiction Treatment Program

Legacy Outdoor Adventures is a licensed residential treatment center that offers a 90-day treatment program for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. We treat SUD and dual diagnosis with clinical therapy 4 days a week and adventure therapy 3 days a week. Our clinicians provide weekly monitoring using assessments, testing, and therapeutic interventions.

Understanding Heroin Addiction and Opioid Use Disorder

Heroin is a semi-synthetic opiate made from morphine. The drug acts as a depressant on the central nervous system (CNS) and has a strong potential for physical and psychological dependence or addiction. Heroin stimulates opioid receptors in the brain, causing neuroadaptive changes that lead to dependence or addiction.

Effects of Heroin and Other Opioids

Opioids like heroin cause physical and psychological effects, such as euphoria, lowered heart rate, slowed breathing, flushed skin, and drowsiness. The effects of chronic opioid abuse can cause tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Some potential long-term health problems include chronic constipation, a weakened immune system, and sexual dysfunction. 

Heroin Dependence and Physical Addiction

Common symptoms of heroin dependence and physical addiction include cravings, compulsive drug use, and an inability to stop using heroin despite negative consequences and a desire to quit. Early treatment reduces the risk of more significant withdrawal symptoms, including cognitive and behavioral problems. 

Withdrawal Symptoms and Detoxification

Withdrawal symptoms usually require short-term stabilization from medically supervised detoxification programs to ensure a safe transition off heroin. People usually experience flu-like symptoms, including nausea, tremors, and headaches.
 

Why Professional Treatment for Heroin Dependence Is Critical

Opioids have a high risk of causing accidental overdose, serious illness, injury, and death. Heroin often has unstated additives that add to the danger, including fentanyl. Professional treatment lowers the risk of relapse cycles and gives people the tools and skills to maintain long-term sobriety.

Heroin Overdose and Opioid Overdose Risks

Medical professionals use an opioid antagonist (e.g., naloxone, naltrexone) and a partial opioid agonist (e.g., buprenorphine) to block opioid receptors and reverse the effects of an overdose. We teach families and individuals overdose prevention strategies, including using naloxone and recognizing the risks of an overdose. 

Multiple factors may increase a person’s risk of a heroin or opioid overdose, including: 
  • Acute lung injury 
  • Mixing alcohol and opioids 
  • Combining heroin with other depressants 
  • Infection
  • Taking high doses of heroin
Early intervention and professional treatment significantly lower the risk of an overdose. 

Health Risks of Untreated Heroin Addiction

Untreated heroin addiction causes structural changes to the brain and behavioral issues that can lower quality of life and interfere with personal or professional relationships. 
 

Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment

Legacy Outdoor Adventures uses evidence-based addiction treatment to address heroin use disorder. Our treatment model combines wilderness adventure therapy and clinical modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), to provide a unique recovery experience. 

Individualized Treatment Plans

Our multidisciplinary team uses personalized treatment plans and ongoing progress monitoring to treat substance abuse. 

Behavioral Therapy for Heroin Addiction

Healthcare providers at Legacy use behavioral health interventions and relapse prevention education to treat physical dependence and behavioral issues related to SUD. We also use contingency management (CM) and other modalities to help clients achieve emotional regulation.

Addressing Drug Cravings and Recovery Skills

Skill development provides structured recovery support that makes it easier to manage cravings and other symptoms of SUD. Coping skills like effective communication, conflict resolution, and setting clear boundaries prepare clients for a sober future. We also use hands-on, skilled development in wilderness therapy to teach basic life skills.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders

We offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for the treatment of OUD. Pharmacological treatment options minimize the side effects of opioids, allowing clients to focus on rehabilitation. 

What Sets Us Apart

Our approach to treatment goes beyond traditional models by combining clinical sophistication, structured care, and measurable outcomes. At Legacy, every aspect of the program is intentionally designed to support deep, lasting healing, not just short-term stabilization.

Adventure Therapy Integrated With Clinical Treatment

Our program combines adventure therapy 3 days per week with over 20 hours of structured clinical therapy. This balanced approach helps clients apply therapeutic insights in real-world settings, building resilience, confidence, and emotional regulation in a way that traditional settings often cannot replicate.

Individualized, Whole-Person Treatment Plans

Every client receives a personalized treatment plan based on a comprehensive evaluation of their mental health, substance use, trauma history, and lifestyle factors. We treat the whole person by integrating clinical care, experiential work, and personal development into one cohesive process.

Trauma-Informed, Clinically Sophisticated Approach

All care is delivered through a trauma-informed lens, ensuring emotional safety while addressing the underlying drivers of substance use and mental health challenges. Our licensed clinicians provide advanced therapeutic interventions in a structured, supportive environment.

Structured Residential Setting With High Clinical Engagement

As a licensed residential treatment center, we provide a highly structured environment that supports consistency, accountability, and focus. Clients engage in a full weekly schedule of therapy, adventure-based experiences, and guided reflection designed to promote sustainable change.

Low Client-to-Staff Ratio and Personalized Attention

With a limited number of clients, our team is able to provide focused, individualized attention. This allows for deeper therapeutic relationships, more responsive care, and a treatment experience tailored to each client’s needs and goals.

Aftercare & Long-Term Recovery Planning

We believe in comprehensive care and, as such, work with clients for long-term recovery planning. The Summit Graduation Phase is our way of ensuring that clients transition from treatment with the skills and planning needed for success. This program is embedded in our 90-day program and includes referrals and resources for further support post-treatment. 

Key Components of Our Drug Addiction Treatment Program

Our addiction treatment program uses adventure therapy, clinical modalities, and family support to help people recover from opioid abuse. 

Adventure Therapy

Our treatment center’s beautiful Utah location is ideal for adventure therapy. Experiential activities support emotional regulation and self-confidence by teaching essential skills. 

Evidence-Based Clinical Treatment

Clinicians use vouchers and other rewards, combined with clinical therapies (e.g., CBT, DBT, CM), to encourage behavioral change. 

Structured 90-Day Residential Program

Our structured 90-day residential program follows a consistent daily schedule to support recovery. Regular drug testing, outdoor therapy, clinical therapy, and peer support provide clients with a healthy daily routine. 

Family Involvement

Family plays an important role in rehabilitation and long-term recovery. Residential treatment uses family therapy and psychoeducation to help clients and their loved ones strengthen relationships and prepare for aftercare. 

Ready for an adventure in healing?Discover our unique wilderness therapy programs.

What to Expect During Heroin Addiction Treatment

Addiction treatment begins with detoxification and stabilization before clients transfer to our programs. The treatment process at Legacy Outdoor Adventures involves residential treatment with an evidence-based approach involving adventure therapy.

Clinical Therapy and Behavioral Treatment

Our residential program utilizes the following tailored clinical services:

  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Trauma therapy 

Adventure Therapy and Experiential Healing

Adventure therapy and other experiential modalities provide clients with structured outdoor experiences that support personal growth, build resilience, and encourage skill development.

Recovery Planning and Aftercare Preparation

Clinicians use transition planning to prepare clients and their loved ones for the change from residential to outpatient or aftercare services. We offer continued support to alumni with check-ins, referrals, and aftercare resources. 
 

Conditions Treated Alongside Heroin

We offer dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. 

Substance Use Disorders

Many people with SUD have multiple addictions. We treat polysubstance use, including alcohol use disorder (AUD), drug addiction, and prescription drug abuse.

Mental Health Conditions

Some of the mental health conditions we treat include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia. 

Chronic Relapse and Severe Addiction

Personalized treatment at Legacy Outdoor Adventures helps people who have struggled with previous treatment attempts or experienced multiple relapses. Clinicians teach clients relapse-prevention and crisis-management strategies to equip them with tools to avoid future relapse. 

When to Seek Help for Heroin Addiction

Seek help for heroin use disorder if you frequently use heroin, experience escalating drug cravings, notice withdrawal symptoms during periods of abstinence, or have a high risk of overdose. If left untreated, heroin addiction can lead to devastating physical, social, and mental consequences. However, you can regain control of your life with the support of professional rehabilitation programs. Legacy Outdoor Adventures is here to help. 
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Heal in the wild.Begin your recovery adventure now.

A therapist leads a group therapy session in the wilderness, sitting by a resilient, gnarled tree while facilitating discussion, creating a safe space for mental health, healing, and connection.

Extended Support for Long-Term Recovery

Legacy Outdoor Adventures provides long-term recovery support through educational resources, alumni services, and aftercare planning. 

Family Therapy and Education

We encourage families to actively participate in the treatment process to rebuild trust and communication with their loved one. Our residential program educates families on what to expect from treatment and ongoing recovery. 

Life Skills Development

Outdoor activities, experiential therapy, and life skills development promote independence and provide stability for people in rehabilitation. Some of the life skills we teach during adventure therapy include time management, self-care, stress management, practical skills such as cleaning and preparing balanced meals, budgeting, assertiveness, and setting realistic goals. 

Aftercare Planning

Clients and their families receive continued support after residential treatment from our team of dedicated professionals. Clinicians collaborate with clients to develop comprehensive aftercare plans to ensure a smooth transition to lower levels of care. 

Alumni Support

Alumni benefit from our thriving sober community and weekly alumni check-in calls. Legacy Outdoor Adventures continues to provide support services as clients learn to manage their condition independently. 
 

A Safe and Structured Environment for Recovery

Legacy Outdoor Adventures offers safety and accountability in a structured residential setting. The clinical supervision, supportive peer community, and therapeutic outdoor environment promote personal growth. Our secure residential treatment center provides clients with a schedule to follow, tools to manage their condition, and guidance to overcome challenges in early recovery. 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are the only medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid addiction. Lofexidine is also approved for some withdrawal symptoms. Legacy only uses prescription medications when necessary to safely stabilize clients or help them manage withdrawal symptoms. 

Suboxone includes naloxone to reduce the risk of opioid abuse. Subutex contains buprenorphine. In most cases, Subutex is used for pregnant women or people in early treatment, and Suboxone is best for long-term recovery. 

Heroin addiction treatment can last between several months and over a year, depending on how many levels of care you need to transition through before achieving independent sobriety. Residential programs at Legacy Outdoor Adventures are 90 days long and provide comprehensive addiction treatment. 

If you witness a heroin overdose, contact 9-1-1 immediately. After contacting emergency services, you can do the following: 

  • Give the person naloxone
  • Keep them awake
  • Lay them on their side to prevent choking
  • Administer CPR if they stop breathing
  • Follow the directions of the 9-1-1 operator until medics arrive
Family members of individuals with SUD benefit from keeping naloxone on hand to administer in emergencies. 

Yes, most common health insurance plans partially or fully cover residential and outpatient heroin addiction treatment. Legacy Outdoor Adventures can help you determine if your insurance provider covers our treatment services. 

Residential treatment may be right for you if you have a complex co-occurring condition, benefit from a managed schedule, or have previously not been successful with outpatient programs. People who have a history of relapse may have better outcomes if they participate in residential rehabilitation.