Confidential Drug and Alcohol Addiction Hotlines: 6 Free Numbers for 24/7 Support

Addiction is overwhelming, both for the person struggling with it and their loved ones. Looking for treatment can feel complicated, especially if you're unfamiliar with your options. If you're not sure where to start, substance use hotlines can be helpful and confidential resources for learning more about addiction, recovery, and local treatment options. You can also search our collection of residential rehabs to find unbiased information about treatment centers and connect with them directly.

Government vs. For-Profit Hotlines

There are many different hotlines, some more helpful than others. While federal agencies have faced recent restructuring and funding challenges, key helplines like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline continue to operate through nonprofit organizations. The 988 Lifeline is managed by Vibrant Emotional Health and comprises a national network of over 200 local crisis centers.

Nonprofit helplines like the Partnership to End Addiction provide free, confidential support in English and Spanish. These organizations connect you to local resources to help you start your recovery journey safely. They'll be able to answer your questions about addiction, its effects and symptoms, and the treatment process.

How to Identify Trustworthy Helplines

Some for-profit treatment centers, however, also own addiction helplines. They're not objective and will only connect you with rehabs that pay them for referrals. You can avoid these fake hotlines by looking for nonprofit-run helplines and using trusted treatment finders like Recovery.com.

However, some for-profit treatment centers also own addiction helplines. They're not objective and will only connect you with rehabs that pay them for referrals. You can avoid these fake hotlines by looking for government or nonprofit-run hotlines.

Learn more about avoiding addiction treatment scams.

Free National 24-Hour Substance Use Hotlines and Resources

There are several free helplines for people struggling with substance use disorders. These national hotline numbers provide information, resources, and support to those who are struggling with alcohol or drug misuse.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Dial 988 to connect with trained counselors within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7 and provides free, confidential support for people experiencing thoughts of suicide, mental health crises, substance use concerns, or emotional distress. 

Live chat services are also available at 988lifeline.org, and videophone services are offered for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and use American Sign Language.

Veterans can press "1" after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline.

Spanish-speaking crisis counselors are available by calling 988 and pressing "2," texting AYUDA to 988, or starting a live chat.

SAMHSA National Helpline

Call 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) or TTY 1-800-487-4889 to find local treatment centers, support groups, and community services. The National Helpline is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service available in English and Spanish. You can also text your 5-digit ZIP Code to 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you.

Note: While SAMHSA has undergone restructuring, this helpline continues to operate as an essential service.

Partnership to End Addiction

Call 1-855-378-4373 to talk to a trained advisor about a child's addiction. Support is available in English and Spanish, and all communications are confidential and provided free of charge. You can also text 55753 for support.

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor via text message, available 24/7.

Poison Control

Call 1-800-222-1222 for emergency assistance with overdose or poisoning, available 24/7.

Emergency vs. Non-Emergency: Who to Call?

If someone is experiencing an overdose or other medical emergency, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. You can also call Poison Control's emergency toll-free number at 1-800-222-1222 to talk to an expert about how to spot warning signs and prevent overdose.

In non-emergency situations, a substance use helpline can provide guidance for starting recovery. These are not staffed by medical professionals who can safely advise you during an overdose or medical emergency.

What Happens When You Call a Substance Use Hotline?

Calling a substance use helpline can open a path forward. The advisor will ask you a few questions to get more context about what you're calling about. And you'll be able to ask questions, too.

What Questions Will I Be Asked?

The call usually starts with the advisor asking questions about you and why you're calling:

Is this a medical emergency? If so, the advisor will tell you to call 911.

What is your zip code? Advisors may ask your zip code to connect you with local support. They will not attempt to identify you and won't ask for more specific location information.

Who are you calling about? They'll have different resources for people with addiction, their loved ones, and the general public.

What substance are you calling about? How long have you been experiencing addiction? Different addictions require different treatments and considerations.

Do you have any other mental or physical health conditions? With this information, your advisor will determine if a rehab that treats co-occurring disorders would be best for you.

Do you want to start treatment for your addiction? If so, they'll refer you to local treatment services.

Answering these questions may feel intimidating, but your advisor can best help you when you answer honestly. And they won't judge or criticize you—they're there to help you start your recovery journey with as much information as possible.

For People With Substance Use Disorders

If you're struggling with addiction, helpline advisors can give you advice and information about addiction and the recovery process:

• Local treatment options and services, including information about nearby rehabs and free community resources
• The cost and insurance coverage of any treatment services they mention
• Signs of overdose
• How withdrawal and detox works, including safety information about medical detox
• How the addiction treatment process works

For Loved Ones

If you're concerned about your loved one, you can call a substance use hotline to learn more about addiction and recovery:

• How to talk to somebody about their addiction
• How to stage an intervention, including a referral to local intervention providers
• The signs and symptoms of addiction and overdose
• Information about codependency
• Available local treatment options
• Information about local support groups for loved ones

Preparing to Call a Substance Use Hotline

Before calling a substance use hotline, be ready to provide the following information:

• The age of the person who needs treatment
• Where they live
• Any other drugs they're using besides alcohol
• How long they've been using
• How much they've been using and how often
• Any co-occurring mental health or medical conditions or physical disabilities
• Insurance information if available

Try to be as forthcoming as possible with the hotline representative. It can help them support you in finding the most appropriate program for you or your loved one. You can also put together your own list of questions for the representative about rehab, the detox process, paying for rehab, or any other area you're concerned about.

Can I Begin Addiction Treatment at the Time of My Call?

When you call most substance use hotlines, they'll be able to refer you to local treatment services at the time of your call. But hotlines don't provide addiction treatment themselves. However, they can connect you with helpful resources that can keep you safe until you enter rehab.

While most hotlines are open 24/7, 365 days a year, most inpatient rehabs' admissions offices are not. So you may have to wait for business hours to actually connect with a rehab.

If you're looking for more information about treatment options, you can learn more about treatment options and contact centers directly by searching for a rehab that matches your needs.

How to Choose a Rehab Center

Factors to consider when choosing a rehab center are:

• Whether it offers detox, or if you know you'll need help with withdrawal
• The experience and credentials of the staff
• The cost of the program
• The location of the facility
• The amenities of the program and what you'll need to feel comfortable
• The program's treatment philosophy
• Treatments for specific people groups like women or veterans

The right treatment program for you or your loved one will be the one whose services and features match your needs with an individualized treatment plan.

Not sure where to start? Our Ultimate Guide to Finding Mental Health and Addiction Treatment walks you through every step of choosing the right care.

Getting Help for Substance Use Disorders

Substance use hotlines are one way to seek help for a drinking or drug problem. However, they can also help people who need to talk about their substance use with someone who understands the nature of their struggles, depending on the type of helpline you call. Some services a helpline can help you find include:

• Counseling services
• Treatment facilities
• Mutual support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous
• Medical detox programs
• Outpatient and inpatient treatment programs

Breaking the cycle of substance use can start by calling a reputable hotline or by searching for treatment centers near you. Use our treatment finder to explore rehab options, compare programs, and connect directly with facilities that match your needs.