If you only save one number, make it the SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. It’s free, confidential and answered around the clock, and families can call on a loved one’s behalf.1 Everything else on this page is also run by a government agency or nonprofit, so nobody on the line is paid when your loved one signs up somewhere.
Crisis and emergency lines are on our get help now page.
Where can we find treatment without a sales pitch?
| Resource | Contact | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| SAMHSA National Helpline | 1-800-662-4357; TTY 1-800-487-4889; text your ZIP code to 435748 | Referrals to local treatment and support, in English and Spanish. Uninsured callers are referred to their state office for state-funded treatment, and often to sliding-fee programs1 |
| FindTreatment.gov | FindTreatment.gov | A search of state-licensed or approved facilities, filtered by treatment type, services and payment accepted2 |
| Your state substance use agency | FindTreatment.gov’s state agency list | State-funded treatment, program licensing information and where to send complaints2 |
| Community health centers | Find a health center | Low-cost primary care with income-based fees, and referrals to mental health and substance use care3 |
| Your loved one’s doctor or insurer | The number on the back of the insurance card | In-network programs. SAMHSA suggests insured callers start here1 |
The Helpline makes referrals; it doesn’t offer counseling.1 And a FindTreatment.gov listing means the state approved the program, not that SAMHSA endorses it.2 Once you have a few names, here’s how to choose a treatment program.
Who can answer insurance and billing questions?
These government lines are free.
| Help line | Contact | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| HealthCare.gov | 1-800-318-2596; TTY 1-855-889-4325 | Marketplace plans, open 24/7 except holidays. You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP any time of year45 |
| Medicare | 1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048 | Coverage questions, 24/7 except some holidays6 |
| No Surprises Help Desk (CMS) | 1-800-985-3059 | Questions or complaints about surprise bills under the federal No Surprises Act, 7 days a week78 |
If coverage was denied, read how appeals work.
Where can I find support for myself?
You can get help whether or not your loved one accepts it. Al-Anon is for family members affected by someone’s drinking, and SMART Recovery Family & Friends teaches practical skills for supporting recovery, with meetings in person and online.9 Alateen is a support group for teens.1 Nar-Anon runs 12-step meetings for families of people who use drugs.10 If your loved one is a Veteran, the VA’s Coaching Into Care line (888-823-7458, weekdays) is free and helps relatives figure out the best way to help.11 There’s more on support for families.
How can I tell if a “helpline” is really a sales line?
The Federal Trade Commission warns that top search results are often paid ads, and that some dishonest businesses advertise under real treatment centers’ names with their own phone numbers.12 A neutral line tells you who runs it. Hang up if the person dodges that question, wants insurance details before asking what your loved one needs, or offers free travel or housing to enroll. Those can be signs of patient brokering, where marketers are paid for each admission.
Which numbers should we save?
It’s easier to do this on a calm day than in the middle of a hard one.
Numbers to save in our phones
Frequently asked questions
Does the SAMHSA Helpline ask for your name?
No. SAMHSA says the service is confidential and doesn’t ask for personal information, though it may ask for your ZIP code to find local help.1
Is it safe to call a rehab center directly?
It’s safer when you got the number from FindTreatment.gov or your insurer rather than a search ad.212 Before you commit, check its state license yourself.
Sources
- SAMHSA — National Helpline. samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline — accessed Oct 2026
- SAMHSA, FindTreatment.gov — Frequently Asked Questions. findtreatment.gov/faqs — accessed Oct 2026
- HealthCare.gov — How to find low-cost health care in your community. healthcare.gov/community-health-centers/ — accessed Oct 2026
- HealthCare.gov — Contact Us. healthcare.gov/contact-us/ — accessed Oct 2026
- HealthCare.gov — Medicaid & CHIP coverage. healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/ — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Contact Medicare. medicare.gov/talk-to-someone — accessed Oct 2026
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — Medical bill rights (No Surprises Act). cms.gov/initiatives/your-patient-rights/medical-bill-rights — accessed Oct 2026
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — Submit a complaint (No Surprises Help Desk). cms.gov/initiatives/your-patient-rights/medical-bill-rights/get-help/s… — accessed Oct 2026
- NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator — Caretaker Support Resources. alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov/support-through-the-process/caretaker-s… — accessed Oct 2026
- SAMHSA (via NCBI Bookshelf) — Counseling Approaches To Promote Recovery From Problematic Substance Use and Related Issues, Chapter 6: Resources. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK601488/ — accessed Oct 2026
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Veteran suicide prevention (Veterans Crisis Line). va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/suicide-preve… — 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