Clinically reviewed by the licensed clinical team at Shepherd Recovery Centers. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Sources include the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Heroin Addiction in America and Texas
Heroin is a highly addictive opioid derived from morphine. Once considered a drug confined to specific demographics or neighborhoods, heroin use has spread across suburban and rural communities throughout the United States, including Texas suburbs like Missouri City and the Fort Bend County area. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 1.1 million Americans reported using heroin in a recent year, and nearly 750,000 had a heroin use disorder.
About 80% of people who currently use heroin report that they previously misused prescription opioids. The opioid crisis and the heroin epidemic are inseparable. (NIDA, Heroin Research Report, 2021)
The relationship between prescription opioid misuse and heroin is well-documented. As prescription opioids became harder and more expensive to obtain. Due to the reformulation of OxyContin and tightened prescribing guidelines, many people turned to heroin as a cheaper and more accessible alternative. Today, much of what is sold as heroin is actually fentanyl or fentanyl-laced heroin, exponentially increasing the risk of fatal overdose.
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What Heroin Does to the Brain and Body
When heroin enters the brain, it rapidly converts to morphine and binds to opioid receptors, particularly in areas involved in pain and reward. The immediate effect is a rush of euphoria, warmth, and relief, followed by a dreamlike state of sedation. According to NIDA’s research on heroin, repeated use causes the brain to adapt, producing tolerance (the need for increasingly higher doses to achieve the same effect) and dependence (the experience of withdrawal when heroin is stopped).
Heroin withdrawal is intensely uncomfortable, though rarely life-threatening in otherwise healthy adults. Symptoms typically begin 6 to 12 hours after the last use and include:
- Severe muscle aches and bone pain
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Insomnia and extreme restlessness
- Cold sweats, chills, and goosebumps (“cold turkey”)
- Intense cravings
- Anxiety, depression, and irritability
The fear of withdrawal is one of the most powerful barriers to seeking treatment. Our clinical team understands this, and our intake process is designed to assess withdrawal risk and provide appropriate medical support.
Long-Term Health Consequences of Heroin Use
The health consequences of heroin use disorder extend far beyond withdrawal. According to the CDC’s data on opioid overdose, heroin use is associated with significantly elevated rates of HIV, hepatitis C (from needle sharing), bacterial infections of the heart (endocarditis), collapsed veins, and severe lung complications. Mental health conditions, particularly depression, anxiety, and PTSD, co-occur with heroin use disorder at very high rates.
People with heroin use disorder who do not receive treatment have a mortality rate approximately 6 to 20 times higher than the general population. (National Academies of Sciences, 2019)
Heroin Treatment at Shepherd Recovery Centers
Comprehensive Intake Assessment
Every client presenting with heroin use disorder undergoes a thorough biopsychosocial assessment at intake. This includes evaluation of current withdrawal status, physical health needs, mental health screening, trauma history, and social support systems. This assessment directly informs your individualized treatment plan.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Heroin
MAT is the evidence-based standard of care for heroin use disorder. Research published by SAMHSA and multiple peer-reviewed studies confirm that buprenorphine (Suboxone) and extended-release naltrexone (Vivitrol) significantly reduce heroin use, overdose deaths, and treatment dropout. At Shepherd, MAT is always delivered alongside counseling, not as a standalone intervention.
Individual Therapy and Skills Development
Our licensed therapists work individually with every client to address the psychological dimensions of heroin use disorder: the underlying trauma, depression, anxiety, or grief that may have contributed to initial use, and the thought patterns and coping deficits that sustain it. CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed approaches are integrated based on each client’s clinical picture.
Relapse Prevention
Heroin use disorder has a well-documented pattern of relapse, particularly in the first 90 days following treatment. Our relapse prevention programming identifies personal high-risk situations, builds specific coping responses, and establishes an accountability structure designed to catch early warning signs before a full relapse occurs. Every client leaves treatment with a written, personalized relapse prevention plan.
A Note to Families
If someone you love is struggling with heroin addiction, you are also carrying a significant burden. Our Family Program provides psychoeducation, support, and guidance for families navigating the complexity of loving someone in active addiction. Families who are educated and supported are more effective and healthier than those who are not.
Heroin addiction is a treatable medical condition. The right help, at the right time, changes outcomes.
Why Choose Us?
A more personal, values-driven approach to outpatient care
In a crowded treatment landscape, Shepherd Recovery Centers stands apart through intentional care and meaningful relationships.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all treatment. We meet clients where they are and walk alongside them toward sustainable recovery.
What Makes Us Different:
What to Expect from Our Behavioral Health Counseling Process
Beginning counseling may feel uncertain, but understanding the structure of care provides clarity and reassurance.
Mental health recovery is a structured and ongoing process supported by professional expertise and consistent therapeutic engagement.
Our Recovery Services
Comprehensive addiction and behavioral health care under one roof
Shepherd Recovery Centers offers a full continuum of outpatient substance abuse and mental health services, tailored to each individual’s needs.
Our outpatient model allows clients to remain engaged in work, family, and community while receiving professional care that drives real progress.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, Shepherd Recovery Centers is ready to help. Our licensed clinical team serves Missouri City, Fort Bend County, and the greater Houston area. We accept most major insurance plans and can verify your benefits within 24 hours. The first call is confidential and carries no obligation.