Finding Substance Use Treatment
How to find help for a drug or alcohol problem, from your doctor and the SAMHSA National Helpline to treatment programs.
Last revised
Key takeaways
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357), free and confidential, 24 hours a day, every day
- Languages: the helpline offers service in English and Spanish
- Most useful single change: Start with your primary care provider, who can assess and refer you.
- Commonest mistake: Programs that promise a quick cure or guaranteed results.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.
Why it matters
Knowing where to start removes one of the biggest barriers to getting help.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| SAMHSA National Helpline | 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357), free and confidential, 24 hours a day, every day |
| Languages | the helpline offers service in English and Spanish |
| Online search | FindTreatment.gov lists licensed treatment facilities |
| Types of care | outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential and medication treatment |
| Insurance | most health plans cover substance use treatment |
What helps
- Start with your primary care provider, who can assess and refer you
- Ask programs whether they offer medicines for opioid or alcohol use disorder
- Check what your insurance or Medicaid covers before choosing a program
- Ask about support for co-occurring mental health conditions
What to avoid
- Programs that promise a quick cure or guaranteed results
- Waiting until things get worse before reaching out
- Detoxing alone from alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids without medical advice
In depth
Treatment for substance use is not one thing. It ranges from brief counseling in a doctor's office to outpatient programs, intensive outpatient and partial hospital programs, residential care and hospital-based withdrawal management. The right level depends on your substance, health, safety, home situation and goals, and it can change over time as you progress.
Good treatment is based on evidence. That means medicines for opioid and alcohol use disorder where appropriate, behavioral therapies with proven benefits, attention to mental health, and a plan for ongoing support after an intensive phase ends. Treatment centers vary widely in quality, so it helps to know what to ask before choosing one.
Many people delay seeking help because of stigma, cost, fear of losing a job or not knowing where to start. Federal and state laws protect the privacy of substance use treatment records, and most insurance must cover substance use care. Your primary care provider, the SAMHSA National Helpline and FindTreatment.gov are all good places to begin.
Signs and symptoms
- Using more than intended or being unable to cut down
- Problems at work, school or home because of substance use
- Health problems linked to drinking or drug use
- Withdrawal symptoms when you stop
- Family or friends expressing concern
- An overdose, accident or legal problem related to use
Causes and risk factors
- Not knowing where to look or what options exist
- Worry about cost or insurance coverage
- Fear of stigma or of others finding out
- Waiting lists or a lack of local programs
- Mixed feelings about stopping
- Untreated mental health conditions that make change harder
How it is checked
A clinician or treatment program will usually start with an assessment covering what you use and how often, your physical and mental health, past treatment, home life and goals. Many programs use a standard framework to match people to the right level of care, considering factors such as withdrawal risk, medical needs and support at home.
The assessment helps decide whether outpatient care is enough or whether you need a more intensive setting. It may include lab tests and screening for conditions such as depression or hepatitis. Ask to see your treatment plan and to be involved in decisions about it.
Related topics
- The Evidence on Talk Therapy, Without the Hype (Mental Health)
- Sexual Health Services: What Published Guidance Supports (Sexual Health)
- Choosing the Right Care: What Published Guidance Supports (Preventive Care)
- Finding a Primary Care Doctor: What the Evidence Actually Says (Using Health Services)
Where to go next
- Finding Substance Use Treatment: The Questions People Actually Ask
- Finding Substance Use Treatment in Five Minutes
- Substance Use: The Complete Guide
- Supporting a Family Member With Addiction: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
- The Evidence on Safe Disposal of Medicines, Without the Hype
When to get help
If you are thinking about suicide or are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call 911 for an overdose, seizures or someone who cannot be woken.
Where this comes from
- SAMHSA — National Helpline
- SAMHSA — FindTreatment.gov
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Get Help
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.