When things are bad, it’s tempting to take the first bed anyone offers, and some businesses count on that. Slow down long enough to get a professional assessment, search FindTreatment.gov, your insurance plan or your loved one’s doctor instead of ads, and look up each program’s license yourself before you agree to anything.
This section of our family guide to helping someone with addiction is a map. If you’re starting from scratch, read our step-by-step guide to finding and comparing programs first. If you’re further along, these questions will point you to the page you need.
Which guide do we need right now?
InteractiveHas a doctor or licensed clinician recommended a level of care?
See possible outcomes
- Get an assessment before you choose An assessment tells you which level of care to look for.
- Build a shortlist Aim for three programs to compare side by side.
- Pause before you go further Perks for enrolling and pressure to decide today are warning signs.
- Check the license yourself Make sure it covers the type of care at the address where your loved one will stay. Rules vary by state.
- You're ready to call admissions Ask every program the same questions and write the answers down.
The guides in this section
Choosing a program, step by step
What should a good program have?
SAMHSA, the federal agency for substance use and mental health, says a good program is licensed and accredited, uses evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and offers FDA-approved medications for alcohol or opioid use. It should also include family members if your loved one wants that, and help with needs beyond substance use, such as housing and work.2 Price and amenities aren’t on the list. Our guide to what good treatment looks like explains each item.
Where is it safe to search?
Facilities listed on FindTreatment.gov have been licensed, certified or otherwise approved by their state’s substance use or mental health agency.1 The SAMHSA National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, is a free, confidential referral line, open around the clock in English and Spanish.6
Search results are riskier. The Federal Trade Commission warns that the top results are often paid ads, and that some dishonest businesses advertise under the names of real treatment centers while listing their own phone numbers.3 In June 2025 the FTC sued companies it says did exactly that, with call center staff posing as clinics they had no connection to.4 Those are allegations, not court findings.
Be wary of anyone who offers free rent, travel or cash to enroll. Paying or accepting anything of value for a referral to a treatment facility, recovery home or lab can be a federal crime when insurance covers the care.5 Here’s how patient brokering works.
And when a program says “we take your insurance,” that may only mean it will bill your plan, even out of network. Call your plan yourself before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Does FindTreatment.gov tell us which program to choose?
No. It doesn’t endorse specific facilities or recommend treatment for an individual’s situation.1 For help matching care to your loved one’s needs, the Treatment hub explains each level of care.
How do we report a dishonest program or ad?
Report deceptive ads and marketing to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.3 You can also complain to the state agency that licenses treatment programs; FindTreatment.gov lists them by state.7
What if we don't have insurance?
The SAMHSA National Helpline can refer people with no insurance, or too little, to their state office for state-funded treatment. It can often also point you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid.6 See how families get treatment without insurance.
Sources
- SAMHSA, FindTreatment.gov — Frequently Asked Questions. findtreatment.gov/faqs — accessed Oct 2026
- SAMHSA — Quality Treatment for Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol (last updated 2023). samhsa.gov/find-support/learn-about-treatment/finding-quality-treatmen… — accessed Oct 2026
- Federal Trade Commission — How to avoid scams when looking for drug treatment (August 2025). consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/08/how-avoid-scams-when-looking-… — accessed Oct 2026
- Federal Trade Commission — FTC Sues to Stop Mercury Marketing and Others from Deceptively Advertising Substance Use Disorder Treatment Clinics (June 2025). ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/06/ftc-sues-stop-mercury-… — accessed Oct 2026
- 18 U.S.C. § 220 — Illegal remunerations for referrals to recovery homes, clinical treatment facilities, and laboratories (Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act, 2018). uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=%28title%3A18+section%3A220+edition%3A… — accessed Oct 2026
- SAMHSA — National Helpline. samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline — accessed Oct 2026
- SAMHSA, FindTreatment.gov — State Agencies. findtreatment.gov/state-agencies — accessed Oct 2026