Substance Abuse and Addiction Hotline

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that nearly 169 million Americans age 12 and older are past-month substance users, including an estimated 137 million people who drank alcohol, 50 million people who used tobacco, 23 million people who vaped nicotine, and 46 million people who used illicit drugs within the past 30 days. Nearly 49 million people in the United States meet the criteria for a diagnosis of substance use disorder and could therefore benefit from addiction treatment (2022 figures). In addition, 59 million adults over the age of 18 in the US have a mental illness.^[1] Substance use and mental health disorders often go hand in hand, and their dual diagnosis and simultaneous treatment is necessary for sustained recovery.

What’s even more worrying is that only about 1 in 4 people (24%) who needed substance-use treatment at a specialty facility in the past year received the help they required.^[2] These startling numbers highlight the need for improved access to addiction treatment in the United States. Calling an addiction hotline is an important first step in helping people battling substance use disorders obtain the guidance and support they need to overcome their addiction.

What is a drug and alcohol addiction hotline?

A drug and alcohol hotline is a telephone number that you call to get free information about substance use, misuse, or abuse. For example, the National Drug Helpline is a toll-free number available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can call this drug hotline at your convenience, at any time of the day or night, including holidays and weekends. All calls are completely confidential and private. You can call the drug hotline without fear of getting in trouble with the law.

Helpful and friendly operators are available around-the-clock to give you valuable information about substance use, including how to recognize drug use in a loved one, the different types of addiction treatments available, and the cost of drug and alcohol rehab in your area. Hotline operators can also help identify addiction treatment programs in your area that are accepting new patients. If you are unsure whether your insurance will cover outpatient and inpatient drug and alcohol rehab, the drug hotline representatives can help you understand your health insurance coverage.

The National Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ is a free, confidential, 24/7 drug and alcohol hotline. Call today and start your journey towards a better future.

Can I call the hotline on behalf of a friend or family member?

Yes. Drug and alcohol helplines such as the National Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ are open to everyone. You can call the hotline to get information for yourself or a friend or family member.

If you are worried that a loved one may be using drugs or drinking excessively, but you’re not sure, an alcohol and drug hotline can help you learn about the common signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol misuse. This will help you figure out if an intervention and/or treatment is necessary.

If you know that a family member or friend is using harmful substances, the hotline can help you understand your options for getting them the help they need. If the person is ready to start treatment, you can find the best rehab programs in your community.

Although acceptance and awareness about substance use disorders is increasing, modern society continues to attach a considerable amount of stigma to these conditions. Many people are hesitant to speak to members of their community about a loved one battling addiction. A drug and alcohol hotline provides you with confidential support and guidance without judgment or reprimand. You can get answers to all your questions from trusted advisors and help a loved one take the first step towards recovery.

What kind of addiction treatments are available?

Alcohol and drug addiction is a complex and chronic (long-lasting) medical condition characterized by compulsive behaviors despite negative consequences. Addiction is also a relapsing disease, meaning a person can return to drug or alcohol use during an attempt to quit or even many years after quitting. The good news is that addiction is treatable and there are many effective options available to help people struggling with substance misuse. Treatments can help people stop using drugs or alcohol, stay drug-free, and lead a productive, healthy, happy life.

It is worth noting that no single addiction treatment is right for everyone. The addiction treatment plan needs to be individualized to address the unique needs of each person. A drug and alcohol hotline can help you identify the level of care that you or your loved one needs and the rehab programs nearby that offer those types of addiction treatments.

The main types of addiction treatments that are used for treating drug and alcohol misuse include:^[3]

Medical detox: Detox from many substances can be dangerous if it is not conducted under the supervision of trained healthcare providers. Medical detox is the first phase of addiction treatment, during which the body is allowed to rid itself of harmful substances, under medical supervision. This ensures that cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and any health complications that arise can be managed by the healthcare team to ensure a safe and comfortable detoxification.

Behavioral counseling: A range of therapies, such as CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy), DBT (dialectical-behavioral therapy), and contingency management have proven effective in treating substance use disorders. These therapy modalities are used in both individual and group counseling settings and are offered as part of both outpatient and inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs. They help people recovering from substance use disorders develop skills and learn coping strategies to avoid triggers, build resilience, and prevent relapse to substance use.

Medication assisted treatment (MAT): There are several FDA-approved medications that can help people in recovery stay clean. These medications work by preventing the euphoric effects of drugs and reducing drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Medications used during MAT can be prescribed by healthcare providers to assist in achieving lasting sobriety.

Treatment for mental health disorders: Addiction and mental illnesses (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD) often occur together, which is why many drug rehab centers offer dual diagnosis treatment for both conditions concurrently. This gives the best chance of lasting recovery.

Aftercare and long-term follow-up: As noted, addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease and people can return to drug and alcohol use even after many years of sobriety. Long-term follow-up and aftercare programs consist of support groups, ongoing education, and mentorship to prevent relapse.

What are the costs of alcohol and drug addiction treatment?

A major reason why people are hesitant to seek addiction treatment is the cost of drug and alcohol rehab. To find out more about how much addiction treatment costs in your area, you can call the National Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ . Here is a rough estimate of what the different types of substance-use recovery programs cost:

• Medical detox costs from $250 to $800 per day
• Intensive outpatient treatment can be anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000
• Outpatient rehab typically ranges between $1,400 and $10,000
• Residential addiction treatment is the most expensive, ranging from $5,000 to $80,000 or more

If you’re worried about not being able to afford substance use treatment, call the National Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ to find out more about your options. In the United States, addiction treatment is usually at least partially covered by health insurance. If you have a health insurance policy, call the helpline to understand what is and isn’t covered.

You may also be eligible for a number of financial assistance opportunities, such as scholarships, grants, sliding scale payments, deferred payments, and third-party loans.

Is it free to call a drug and alcohol addiction hotline?

Yes, all calls to the drug hotline are free. If it is a toll-free number, you will not incur any charges for the call. The information you are provided is also completely free of cost. You do not need to have health insurance to call a drug and alcohol hotline. However, if you decide to start addiction treatment, you will need to pay for the treatment through your health insurance policy or out of pocket.

What questions can I ask the hotline operator?

You can ask the drug and alcohol hotline operator any question that’s on your mind. Even if you don’t have a list of specific questions, speaking to a friendly advisor can help you collect your thoughts and give you clarity of mind. With that said, it can be very useful to be prepared with some questions before you call the hotline. Here are some of the most common questions people ask when they call a drug and alcohol helpline.

• How do I know if my friend or family member needs addiction treatment?
• What steps can I take to prevent my teenager from drinking or doing drugs?
• What are the health effects of drug and alcohol use?
• What precautions should I take to prevent a drug overdose?
• Are there any affordable addiction treatment programs near me?
• Will my health insurance cover substance use treatment?
• Are there any state-funded addiction treatment resources in my community?
• Is addiction treatment effective? What are the success rates?

When you call the National Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ , you are taking the first step on the path to recovery. Compassionate and helpful advisors are on hand 24/7 to give you the information and guidance you need, in complete confidentiality, to help you move towards a better future.

Drug hotlines

In addition to calling Drug Helpline on (844) 289-0879^ℹ , you can also try some of the following substance use, drug use and addiction hotline numbers:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) – 1-800-NCA-CALL (622-2255)
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – 1-301-443-1124
• The Partnership at Drugfree.org – 1-855-DRUG-FREE (378-4373)
• National Association for Children of Alcoholics – 1-888-554-COAS (2627)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
• National Institute of Mental Health Information – 1-866-615-6464
• Alcoholics Anonymous Number – 1-212-870-3400

Last updated: February 28, 2024

Dr. Jennifer Merrill

Dr. Jennifer Merrill is an Associate Professor in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Brown University. She received her PhD in 2012 from the University at Buffalo, and is a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island (Credential ID: PS01479).

Dr. Merrill has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, Addictive Behaviors and Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. Her published work includes 'Drinking over the lifespan: Focus on college ages' and 'Event-level correlates of drinking events characterized by alcohol-induced blackouts'.