Quick answer
Heroin use disorder responds to medication. Within 30 miles of Scranton, the SAMHSA locator lists 21 facilities that prescribe buprenorphine and 3 federally certified opioid treatment programs, out of 30 treatment facilities. CDC provisional data count 48 overdose deaths in Lackawanna County in the 12 months ending December 2025, down from 55.
Published: 2026-10-24 Updated: 2026-10-24
Heroin Treatment in Scranton, PA
Heroin use disorder is treatable, and the treatments with the strongest evidence are medications, not willpower. NIDA describes heroin as an opioid drug made from morphine, and the medical response is the same as for any opioid dependence: buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone, paired with counseling. Scranton and the surrounding county have programs that provide all three. This page explains what is here, what it costs, and the fastest way to start.
Which treatment works, and where can I get it near Scranton?
It depends on your situation. If you are using daily, methadone or buprenorphine is the strongest starting point, because both keep withdrawal away long enough for the rest of your life to stabilize. If you want treatment you can drive to once a month, office-based buprenorphine or a monthly naltrexone injection may fit better. If you have stopped before and returned to use, going back on medication is the standard response, not a sign that treatment failed.
Medications for opioid use disorder reduce the risk of overdose death, and the FDA has approved three:
- Methadone — a full opioid agonist, dispensed daily through a federally certified opioid treatment program.
- Buprenorphine — a partial agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal; it can be prescribed in a doctor's office or by telehealth.
- Naltrexone — blocks opioid receptors so opioids no longer produce a high; it requires a full detox before the first dose.
Within 30 miles of Scranton, the SAMHSA locator lists 30 substance use treatment facilities, including 21 that prescribe buprenorphine, 3 federally certified opioid treatment programs, 17 that prescribe naltrexone, 7 offering detoxification, and 9 with residential programs. Counts change as programs open and close, so confirm openings by phone.
The supply has changed — plan for fentanyl
Much of what is sold as heroin in Pennsylvania today contains or is replaced by fentanyl. The Pennsylvania Department of Health's 2024 overdose brief found fentanyl contributed to 67% of the state's fatal overdoses that year, and xylazine — a veterinary sedative that naloxone does not reverse — contributed to 790 of 3,271 deaths (24.2%). Two practical steps follow: keep naloxone where the people around you can find it, and call 911 for any suspected overdose even after a dose of naloxone goes in.
The Lackawanna Recovery Coalition runs a free Narcan distribution program and shares local recovery resources.
The local picture in numbers
- CDC's provisional county-level data count 48 drug overdose deaths in Lackawanna County in the 12 months ending December 2025, down from 55 the year before.
- Statewide, CDC's provisional counts show 2,866 drug overdose deaths in Pennsylvania in the 12 months ending December 2025, down from 3,360 the year before.
Paying for heroin treatment
Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid, and Medical Assistance covers medication for opioid use disorder as medically necessary treatment. Physical HealthChoices plans in the Northeast region include AmeriHealth Caritas Northeast, Geisinger Health Plan, Jefferson Health Plans EverWell, and UPMC for You. For Medicaid members in Lackawanna County, behavioral health and drug and alcohol benefits are managed by Community Care Behavioral Health (member services: 1-866-668-4696; 24/7 crisis: 1-833-822-3010). If you are uninsured, the PA Get Help Now line at 1-800-662-4357 can route you to publicly funded programs.
How to start today
- In a medical emergency, call 911 and give naloxone if you have it. For a crisis, call or text 988, or reach the Scranton Counseling Center crisis line at 570-348-6100.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 to talk through your options with a treatment specialist, or use this form:
Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers, and we check your benefits before you commit.
- Call the Lackawanna and Susquehanna County Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs at 570-963-6820 for publicly funded assessment and referral.
- Search findtreatment.gov from a Scranton ZIP code, then ask each program: "Do you prescribe or dispense medication, and how soon could I start?"
People treated with medication stay in treatment and stay alive at higher rates than people who try to stop without it. Around Scranton, the medication exists — the work is reaching it.
Other Heroin treatment in Pennsylvania: Heroin treatment in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Heroin treatment in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Heroin treatment in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Heroin treatment in Erie, Pennsylvania, Heroin treatment in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Heroin treatment in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Heroin treatment in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Heroin treatment in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Heroin treatment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Heroin treatment in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Heroin treatment in Reading, Pennsylvania, Heroin treatment in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Last updated: Sat Oct 24 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best treatment for heroin addiction near Scranton?
Medication. The FDA has approved methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone for opioid use disorder, and NIDA reports that people treated with these medications are less likely to die of an overdose than people who stop without them. Within 30 miles of Scranton, 21 facilities prescribe buprenorphine and 3 are federally certified opioid treatment programs.
Is heroin still the main opioid in Pennsylvania's drug supply?
Illicit fentanyl has largely replaced heroin in much of the supply, which is why naloxone and fentanyl test strips matter even for people who think they are buying heroin. Pennsylvania's Department of Health found fentanyl contributed to 67% of the state's 2024 fatal overdoses.
Does Medicaid cover heroin treatment in Scranton?
Yes, for eligible members. Pennsylvania Medical Assistance covers medically necessary substance use disorder treatment, including medication for opioid use disorder. Northeast-region Physical HealthChoices plans include AmeriHealth Caritas Northeast, Geisinger Health Plan, Jefferson Health Plans EverWell, and UPMC for You. Community Care Behavioral Health manages Lackawanna County's behavioral health benefits.
Where do I start if I want to stop using heroin?
Call the Lackawanna and Susquehanna County Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs at 570-963-6820 for publicly funded assessment, call or text (800) 653-9376 to talk with a treatment specialist, or search findtreatment.gov from a Scranton ZIP code. In an emergency call 911; for a crisis, call or text 988.
What if I relapse after a period off heroin?
Tolerance drops quickly during a break, so a dose that used to be routine can be fatal. Restarting medication is the treatment for relapse, not a failure of it. Keep naloxone nearby and tell the people around you where it is.