Searching for a detox hotline usually means one thing: someone is ready to make a move or at least open to talking to someone who can help them figure out next steps. This page is built for that moment.
Below is a curated directory of free, confidential resources, beginning with our hotline and followed by federal government services, national nonprofits and population-specific hotlines. Each listing includes a direct phone number and a description of what the service does because not every hotline works the same way. Understanding the differences before you call can save you time and frustration.
If you’re in a medical emergency or experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, confusion or difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately. The resources below are referral and support services, not emergency medical providers.
What Is a Detox Hotline?
A detox hotline is a phone-based resource that helps people understand their options for medical detoxification and connect with appropriate treatment. Depending on the service, a call might result in a referral to a local detox facility, information about the detox process or guidance on insurance and financial assistance. It may also be a conversation with someone who understands addiction and can help the caller think through next steps.
Hotlines are not detox providers. They don’t prescribe medications, manage withdrawal symptoms or deliver clinical care. They help remove one of the biggest barriers to treatment entry by addressing a common problem: not knowing where to start or who to call.
The distinction between hotline types matters. Some services focus on referrals, some provide crisis intervention, and others are designed for family members rather than the person struggling. The directory below notes these distinctions for each listing.
NationalRehabHotline.org
National Rehab Hotline: 1-866-210-1303 | Available 24-7
https://nationalrehabhotline.org
NationalRehabHotline.org is a free, confidential resource that connects callers with substance use treatment referrals. We’re not affiliated with any treatment center, which means our referrals are based on how well a program matches your needs, including substance, location, insurance coverage and level of care.
Callers can reach us any time of day or night. We help identify appropriate detox programs, verify insurance benefits, navigate financial assistance options and explain what to expect at each level of care.
Federal Government Resources
The following services are operated or funded by agencies of the U.S. federal government. All are free and available to anyone regardless of insurance status.
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) | TTY: 1-800-487-4889 | Available 24-7, 365 days a year
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline is the federal government’s primary substance use treatment referral service. It’s free, confidential and available in English and Spanish.
Callers are connected with trained information specialists who provide referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups and community-based organizations. SAMHSA doesn’t ask for personal information. Callers may also text their ZIP code to 435748 (HELP4U) to receive local treatment options by text message.
Best for: Individuals and families seeking local treatment referrals, including low-cost and publicly funded options. - SAMHSA Treatment Locator (FindTreatment.gov): Online tool, no phone required
https://findtreatment.gov
SAMHSA’s online treatment locator lets users search for nearby substance use treatment facilities by ZIP code, filtering by substance type, payment option and level of care. It’s a useful self-service option for people who prefer to research treatment options on their own before reaching out.
Best for: Independent research into local detox and treatment facilities. - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text: 988 | Available 24-7
https://988lifeline.org
The 988 Lifeline is primarily a crisis and suicide prevention service, but it also supports people experiencing mental health and substance use crises. Callers are connected to a network of more than 200 local crisis centers. Spanish-language services are available by pressing 2. Online chat is available at 988lifeline.org.
The 988 Lifeline is appropriate when a person’s substance use has escalated to a crisis, including suicidal ideation, severe intoxication or acute mental health distress related to substance use.
Best for: Acute mental health or substance use crises; situations requiring immediate emotional support. - Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 | Text: 838255 | Available 24-7
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
The Veterans Crisis Line is a Department of Veterans Affairs service that provides confidential crisis support to veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members and their families. Responders are specifically trained in veteran-related mental health and substance use challenges. It’s available regardless of VA enrollment status. Online chat is also available.
Best for: Veterans and active-duty service members in crisis or seeking substance use support. - NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse): No direct helpline
https://nida.nih.gov
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is the federal agency responsible for research on the science of addiction and drug use. NIDA does not operate a treatment referral line, but its website is one of the most comprehensive sources of evidence-based information on substance use disorders, specific drugs and treatment approaches. It’s a valuable resource for patients and families who want to understand the clinical and scientific context of addiction before or during treatment.
Best for: Research, educational background, and evidence-based information about specific substances and treatment approaches.
National Nonprofit and Advocacy Organizations
The following organizations are independent nonprofits operating national hotlines and support services. They are not affiliated with the federal government but are well-established and widely recognized in the addiction treatment field.
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 | Available 24-7
https://www.crisistextline.org - Crisis Text Line provides free, confidential crisis counseling via text message, staffed by trained volunteer counselors. While not specific to substance use, it’s widely used by people in addiction-related distress who prefer text over voice communication. It’s particularly accessible for younger people and those in situations where a phone call is not possible.
Best for: Text-based crisis support; younger individuals; situations where speaking by phone is not possible. - Partnership to End Addiction (formerly Partnership for Drug-Free Kids): 1-855-378-4373 | Text CONNECT to 55753 | Monday to Friday, select hours
https://drugfree.org
The Partnership to End Addiction operates a helpline specifically designed for parents and family members concerned about a child’s substance use. Trained specialists provide one-on-one guidance, treatment referrals and coaching on how to communicate with a loved one who is struggling. It’s not a crisis line and is not intended for the person experiencing substance use. Online chat and email support are also available through their website.
Best for: Parents and family members seeking guidance on a child’s substance use; not intended for the person in active addiction. - SMART Recovery: No crisis line, offers meetings and online support
https://www.smartrecovery.org
SMART Recovery is a nonprofit offering a secular, science-based alternative to twelve-step programs. It operates a national network of in-person and online meetings using cognitive-behavioral and motivational approaches. SMART’s website includes a meeting finder, online discussion forums and self-help tools. It’s not a crisis service but is an important resource for people seeking ongoing support that does not rely on a spiritual framework.
Best for: Individuals seeking a non-twelve-step, evidence-based recovery support community. - Al-Anon Family Groups: 1-888-4AL-ANON (1-888-425-2666) | Meeting finder available online
https://al-anon.org
Al-Anon is a peer support organization for family members and friends of people with alcohol use disorder. It’s not a treatment referral service and is not designed for the person struggling with addiction. Al-Anon operates on the same twelve-step framework as Alcoholics Anonymous and provides meeting directories, literature and phone support for families navigating a loved one’s alcoholism. Alateen, an Al-Anon program, serves younger family members.
Best for: Family members and loved ones of people with alcohol use disorder. - Nar-Anon Family Groups: 1-800-477-6291 | Meeting finder available online
https://www.nar-anon.org
Nar-Anon is the drug addiction equivalent of Al-Anon, a twelve-step support organization for families and loved ones of people with drug use disorder, while Al-Anon focuses specifically on alcohol use. It offers meeting directories and phone support for family members seeking community and guidance.
Best for: Family members and loved ones of people with drug use disorder.
Condition- and Population-Specific Resources
The following resources address specific substances or populations within the broader addiction landscape.
- SAMHSA Opioid Treatment Program Directory: Online directory, no phone required
https://dpt2.samhsa.gov/treatment/directory.aspx
SAMHSA’s OTP Directory allows people to locate federally certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs), which are clinics that dispense methadone and buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, by state and ZIP code. This is different from the general SAMHSA treatment locator and is the most direct way to find methadone clinics.
Best for: Individuals seeking methadone maintenance or other opioid treatment programs. - National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD): No direct helpline, offers education and advocacy resources
https://ncaddnational.org/
NCADD is a nonprofit organization focused on education, advocacy and reducing the stigma of substance use disorders. Its website provides information about addiction, prevention and recovery, along with resources for individuals and families seeking to better understand substance use and available support options.
Best for: Educational resources and advocacy related to substance use and recovery. - NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator: Online tool, no phone required
https://alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s Alcohol Treatment Navigator is a step-by-step online guide designed to help individuals and families find quality alcohol use disorder treatment. It explains what to look for in a provider, how to evaluate treatment programs and how to navigate insurance.
It’s an educational tool rather than a referral line, but it’s one of the most useful government resources for people beginning the treatment search process.
Best for: Individuals and families researching alcohol use disorder treatment options and quality indicators. - Covenant House NineLine (Youth): 1-800-388-3888 | Available 24-7
https://www.covenanthouse.org
The Covenant House NineLine is a 24-hour crisis line for youth and young adults up to age 21, covering a wide range of issues including substance use, homelessness and family crisis. Covenant House operates residential shelters in multiple U.S. cities and Canada, and the NineLine can connect callers with local youth services. It’s one of the most established national crisis lines specifically for younger people.
Best for: Young people under 21 experiencing substance use problems, homelessness or family crisis.
What to Expect When You Call a Detox Hotline
Most hotline calls follow a similar pattern, regardless of which service you reach. Understanding the structure in advance can reduce hesitation.
- You Won’t Be Required to Give Your Name
SAMHSA and most other federally funded services don’t require personal identification. Private services, including ours, operate under confidentiality protocols. You may be asked for a ZIP code to facilitate local referrals, but nothing more is required to receive assistance. - Expect Questions About Your Situation
A trained specialist will typically ask about the substance or substances involved, the approximate severity and duration of use, whether you have insurance and your geographic location. These questions aren’t judgmental. They’re logistical. The answers determine which programs and resources are realistic options for your situation. - You Will Receive Referrals, Not a Prescription
No hotline can admit you to treatment, prescribe medications or deliver clinical care over the phone. What they can do is identify appropriate programs, help you understand what to look for, verify whether your insurance covers a given level of care and walk you through what the intake process typically involves. The decision to call a facility and begin the process remains yours. - The Call Is a Starting Point, Not a Commitment
Calling a hotline doesn’t commit you to anything. Many people call multiple times, at different points in their thinking, before taking a concrete step. That’s normal. The purpose of these resources is to make accurate information available and reduce the friction of getting started, not to pressure anyone into a decision they aren’t ready to make. - If You’re Calling for Someone Else
Family members calling on behalf of a loved one are common. Most hotlines can provide guidance to family members as well as individuals in active addiction, including information about intervention, how to have productive conversations about treatment and what resources exist specifically for families. The Partnership to End Addiction helpline and Al-Anon are specifically designed for this population.
A Note on How This List Is Maintained
Phone numbers and service details for hotlines can change. We make reasonable efforts to keep this directory current, but we recommend confirming contact information directly with each organization before relying on it, particularly for services outside major federal resources.
If you find an error in this directory, you can reach our team at NationalRehabHotline.org.
