Treatment
Opioid and fentanyl treatment in Orange County
Fentanyl has made opioid use far more dangerous. The good news: opioid use disorder is very treatable, and medication-assisted treatment cuts the risk of overdose.
Treatment that works
- Medication: buprenorphine, methadone or naltrexone, combined with counseling.
- Detox with support: starting medication during detox makes it far more comfortable.
- Ongoing care: residential, PHP or IOP, then outpatient.
Carry naloxone
Naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioid overdoses. It is available at California pharmacies without a prescription. Anyone who uses opioids, or loves someone who does, should keep it close.
If someone is not breathing or will not wake up, call 911 and give naloxone. California’s Good Samaritan law offers some protection to people who call for help.
Why fentanyl changed the picture
Fentanyl is far stronger than heroin or most prescription opioids, and it is often mixed into other drugs or pressed into fake pills. Many people who overdose did not know fentanyl was present. Tolerance also drops quickly after detox or a period of not using, which is why the weeks after leaving treatment or jail carry a high overdose risk.
Comparing the three medications
| Buprenorphine | Methadone | Naltrexone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Partial opioid agonist | Full opioid agonist | Blocks opioids |
| Where you get it | Clinician prescription | Licensed opioid treatment program | Clinician prescription or injection |
| Need to be opioid-free first? | Partly (mild withdrawal) | No | Yes, usually 7 to 10 days |
| Overdose protection | Strong | Strong | While taking it; risk rises if stopped |
Your clinician can help you decide. Many people do well on buprenorphine or methadone for years.
Where to start in Orange County
- If you have Medi-Cal, call the Beneficiary Access Line at (800) 723-8641 for MAT and treatment referrals.
- Ask your primary care doctor. Any clinician with a standard DEA registration can now prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
- Call a licensed detox program and ask whether it starts buprenorphine before discharge.
- Use FindTreatment.gov to locate opioid treatment programs that offer methadone.
Licensed programs with detox
10 of 149 licensed or certified programs
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Anaheim Comprehensive Treatment Center 1420 N State Boulevard, AnaheimAnaheim
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Anaheim Lighthouse 1243 W. Pearl Street, AnaheimAnaheim
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Anaheim Recovery 864 South Granite Circle, AnaheimAnaheim
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Better Days 2220 W Judith Ln, AnaheimAnaheim
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Newport Institute - Palm Hills 195 S. Peralta Hills Drive, AnaheimAnaheim
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Rebel New Life Treatment Center 527 S. Archer Street, AnaheimAnaheim
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Sustain Recovery 125 South Chaparral Court Suite 200, AnaheimAnaheim
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Sustain Recovery 7898 E. Autry Drive, AnaheimAnaheim
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Sustain Recovery 7888 E. Autry Drive, AnaheimAnaheim
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Brea Hills Recovery 340 N Olinda Dr, BreaBrea
Source: California DHCS licensing data, retrieved November 9, 2026. Listings are free and shown alphabetically by city. Confirm a license on the DHCS website before you choose.
Before you call a program
- Ask for the DHCS license or certification number and check it.
- Ask which levels of care they provide on site.
- Ask what your insurance covers and what you will owe.
- Ask where you would go next when this level of care ends.
Frequently asked questions
Is withdrawal from fentanyl dangerous?
It is rarely life-threatening on its own but can be severe, and relapse after detox carries a high overdose risk because tolerance drops. Medication-assisted treatment lowers that risk.
Can I go to residential rehab while on Suboxone?
Many programs now accept people on buprenorphine. Ask before you enroll; avoid programs that require you to stop medication that is working.
Where can I get naloxone in Orange County?
At most pharmacies without a prescription, and free through many county and community programs.