Drug Addiction Hotline

The National Drug Hotline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ is available 24/7 throughout the year. You can call for yourself or a loved one who is battling a substance use disorder. Seeking timely help for yourself or a loved one can make a big difference in your ability to quit using a substance. It can also mean the difference between life and death.

Why should I call the hotline?

According to SAMHSA, approximately 16.5% of the US population (over 46 million people) reported using an illicit drug within the past month in 2022. Nearly 61 million Americans used marijuana in the past year (making it the most commonly used illicit drug). Also, almost 9 million people misused opioid drugs (heroin and prescription painkillers). Approximately 49 million people were diagnosed with a substance use disorder in the past year. ^[1]

Many people with a substance use disorder (SUD) try to quit on their own. While some are successful, most fail to achieve long-term abstinence. Calling the Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ can be helpful if you have made multiple attempts to quit using drugs or alcohol and failed.

Studies show that long-term drug addiction leads to changes in the brain that persist long after a person stops using drugs. These changes have many consequences, including the inability to control drug-seeking behaviors despite the serious negative consequences—which is a hallmark of drug addiction.

Psychological stressors at work, family problems, mental illnesses, health problems, and tangible sensations like the smell or taste of drugs can lead to extreme drug cravings in recovering drug users. These factors puts people in recovery at a very high risk of falling back under the influence of drugs. Any of these factors can interfere with accomplishing abstinence and increase the likelihood of relapse. Additionally, research has shown that a determined interest in treatment is a significant factor in achieving the best recovery and can benefit even the most seriously addicted people. Therefore, making a determined call to the Drug Helpline can serve as an important first step in successfully kicking a drug habit.

What questions can the hotline answer?

The Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ can help you with almost any question related to substance abuse. Our helpline operators are trained to help people struggling with drug or alcohol use and will make you feel at ease. You should know that drug addiction harms not only you, but also your friends and family. By seeking help, you are doing yourself a favor and well as your loved ones a favor. Whatever your situation, help is at hand. Call the drug addiction hotline to get important information and answers to your questions without fear of judgment or reprimand. Some of the questions that can be answered by calling the drug addiction hotline include:

• How do I learn more about a friend or family member’s drug addiction?
• How does drug addiction affect my health?
• What are the signs of a drug overdose?
• Does my insurance cover treatment for drug addiction?
• Is there free or easy treatment available for drug addiction?
• How can I help young people in my family avoid drug addiction?
• Where can I get emotional support for my recovery?

Hotline operators are also available 24/7 to answer questions other than those listed above. You can call the drug addiction hotline with whatever questions are on your mind.

What happens when I make the call?

A friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and non-judgemental advisor will answer your call when you call our drug hotline. The advisor can answer all your addiction-related queries. They can also help you decide on a treatment plan, but only if you are ready to make a change. Conversation topics may include:

• Treatment alternatives
• Supporting an affected friend or family member
• Inpatient facilities
• Outpatient options
• Treatment costs

When you call the hotline, you will be asked a few questions too. These will range from symptoms of addiction to prior experiences with rehab. The hotline operator might also ask you questions about your insurance. Not all treatment programs are suitable for everyone, because everyone has different needs. The goal is to help you find the best addiction treatment that meets your recovery goals. You can get all the information you need when you call Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ . We are available 24/7 to help you.

When is the right time to call a drug helpline?

You can call Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ any time of the day. It is an easy-to-use service for people who want to talk to someone who can help with their drug addiction.

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

Yes, you can. The helpline provides confidential help and advice without judgment or criticism. You will connect with trusted advisors who will answer any question and help your friend or family member start on the road to recovery and a better tomorrow.

Is my call confidential?

Yes, a call to the National Drug Hotline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ is entirely confidential.

How much does it cost to call the helpline?

Your call to (844) 289-0879^ℹ is completely free of cost. In addition, the information provided is entirely free of charge. You do not need to have health insurance to call the drug addiction hotline. However, if you decide to get treatment for drug or alcohol use disorder, you will have to pay for it (to the extent not covered by your health insurance plan).

What kind of questions should I prepare to be asked?

The questions can vary from patient to patient, but the most common questions are:

• Do you have any other physical or mental health problems?
• Have you ever sought treatment for drug addiction?
• Are you willing to be treated for drug addiction?
• Have you opened up to friends and family about your drug use?

What questions should I ask the operator?

When you call the National Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ , no questions are off limits. You can ask for information without fear of judgment, blame, or concern about legal or personal outcomes. Questions that hotline operators can help you with include:

• The dangers of drug abuse and addiction, including the potential for overdose
• Treatment options for specific drugs, including inpatient and outpatient rehab programs
• Potential costs of treatment
• Availability of treatment centers near you

What addiction treatments are available for those in need?

• Behavioral counseling: A wide variety of behavioral treatments such as CBT (cognitive behavior treatment), DBT (dialectical-behavioral therapy), and contingency management are effective in treating addiction. These treatment modalities are used in in-person and social therapeutic environments during inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation. This treatment supports patients who want to recover from drug addiction or who show a tendency towards relapsing.
• Detox: According to the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, detoxification is the process or ridding the body of drugs while avoiding the side effects of withdrawal. There are two main types of detoxification. In some cases, medications are used to detoxify the drug (remove it from the body). Others use a “conventional” approach (“simple” detoxification which consists of allowing the drug to leave the body naturally).
• Treatment: Treatment aims to identify the psychological causes and behaviors that led to drug addiction and to build skills to avoid them in the future. It often involves individual therapy, group counseling, and family therapy.
• Aftercare: Treatment of drug addiction does not end when you leave a rehab facility. Aftercare in the form of support groups, for example, is necessary to ensure continued abstinence from drug use after you leave treatment.

There are hundreds of drug and alcohol treatment programs available across the country. You need to carefully consider various factors before choosing the right treatment program for you. When deciding on a treatment program, consider these factors:

• Location
• Services
• Acceptable insurance coverage
• Level of care
• Period of treatment

What are the costs of drug addiction treatment?

Drug and alcohol abuse costs the U.S. over $600 billion a year, including lost productivity, disability, unemployment, health care costs, and criminal justice costs. Addiction treatment can help reduce these costs. ^[2] Treatments are often unique to specific substance use disorders. For example, medication assisted treatment (MAT) is commonly used for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. The cost of recovery is affected by many variables, from clinical concerns to availability. More information on pricing is available here.

If you are worried that you may not be able to afford alcohol or drug treatment, call the National Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ . We will help you learn more about your payment options. Substance abuse treatment programs are covered by insurance in the US at least partially. So, if you have health insurance, call the helpline to find out if it will cover your treatment costs and to what extent. If you are uninsured, call us to learn about affordable rehabs near you or payment options such as sliding scale or personal loans that can help you get the care you need.

Do I have to start treatment after I call the helpline?

No, you do not have to start treatment after calling the helpline. When you call the National Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879^ℹ and ask for information about drug addiction, you have taken an important step, but there is no obligation to begin addiction treatment.

Calling the National Drug Helpline can provide you with answers to your questions, mental clarity, and a plan for how to proceed. You will also better understand how drugs are affecting you and your family as well as treatment costs.

Last updated: April 1, 2024