How can I get help/support for substance use disorder?

Note: NAMI volunteers are not medical or mental health professionals, and we cannot offer medical or mental health advice. The material outlined below is informational and we hope that it helps provide guidance toward getting support.

You have taken a great first step by reaching out for help and support with a substance use disorder, and you are not alone. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 48.5 million people aged 12 or older (17.1% of the U.S. population) had a substance use disorder in 2023.  

Substance use disorders affect a person’s brain and behavior. They can cause significant disruption to a person’s mental health, physical health, relationships, safety, and well-being, especially if the substances used are highly addictive. Some people have a dual diagnosis, or co-occurring conditions, which means that they have both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition. 

Addiction makes it difficult for people to stop using substances even when they want to. In recent years, researchers, doctors, and mental health professionals have learned a lot more about the role that substance use can play in people’s lives, what makes it difficult to overcome a substance use disorder, and what resources and support are helpful to those pursuing treatment and recovery. 

Many people have historically used substances to manage difficult circumstances and emotions but have realized over time that using drugs or alcohol to cope can do more harm than good. Substance use disorder treatment can help you understand what stressors are related to your substance use, learn skills to better manage difficult circumstances and emotions, build a network of support and resources, and plan ahead for future circumstances that could pose challenges to your recovery. Many people also find support groups to be extremely helpful for building community and pursuing recovery from a substance use disorder.  

Use the resources below to learn more about substance use disorders, find substance use disorder treatment and support groups in your area, and discover other information that may be helpful in your recovery. 

Find Treatment and Support

  • SAMHSA Treatment Locator is a federal agency website that provides referrals for substance use disorder treatment facilities. SAMHSA is a good resource for locating low-cost/sliding scale mental health care, substance abuse and dual diagnosis facilities. SAMHSA’s Treatment Locator can narrow search by insurance, cost of treatment and type of treatment. Their website also includes programs like assertive community treatment and residential treatment.  
    • You can reach SAMHSA at (800) 662-4357; Spanish-language calls are accepted. 
    • SAMHSA offers a “Find a Treatment Facility Near You” locator function. Search by city or zip code; filter results by type of treatment, payment options, ages served, languages spoken, special programs (e.g. veterans, LGBT, services for deaf and hard of hearing), and more.  
    • Once you have identified a provider, contact your insurance company to verify coverage.  
  • The Health Resources and Services Administration has a webpage for locating Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). FQHCs provide care to underserved areas or populations regardless of ability to pay. If there is an FQHC in your area, you may consider contacting them and asking if they offer integrated substance use and mental health treatment services. 
  • The National Council for Mental Wellbeing offers a CCBHC finder to help you locate Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in your area. CCBHCs are clinics that provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use services. CCBHCs typically serve everyone, regardless of insurance or financial status.  
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provides NIAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator, where you will find extensive information on alcohol use, how to help someone with an alcohol addiction, a treatment facility finder and guidance on how to find and choose the best treatment options. 
  • Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. Their website provides information on addiction basics, prevention, treatment, recovery, safety, and loss. The website also features a “Find Help” locator function on their website.  
  • Partnership to End Addiction is an organization that provides resources for addiction prevention, treatment and recovery. They offer phone-based parent coaching in English and Spanish. They also have Spanish resources available on their website. You can reach them at (855) 378-4373.  
  • Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA) Resource Center is a 12-step self-help membership organization for individuals with a dual diagnosis. Features a support group search function on its website. 
  • Alcoholics Anonymous provides 12-step self-help groups to help people achieve sobriety; website offers self-assessment tools, FAQs reflections, literature and a “Find a Meeting” app; website is also offered in Spanish.  
  • Narcotics Anonymous provides 12-step self-help groups to help people achieve sobriety. Website offers a “Find a Meeting” support group locator; filter by meeting type for virtual or hybrid meetings. Contact them at (818) 773-9999 x711.  
  • Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery) is a self-help program for people seeking to overcome addictive problems. SMART Recovery provides free, peer-led online and in-person support groups for individuals and family members/allies of those living with addiction.  Contact SMART Recovery at (440) 951-5357. 

Learn About Substance Use Disorders

  • NAMI’s Substance Use Disorder webpage provides an overview of substance use disorder and dual diagnosis symptoms, treatment information, and supportive resources. 
  • NAMI Hearts+Minds is a wellness program designed to educate and empower you to better manage your mental and physical health, by sharing information about managing medication side effects, substance abuse and smoking cessation, gut health and nutrition, and more. Find a 4-hour seminar or 4-session course at your local NAMI Affiliate. 
  • The Mayo Clinic webpage on Drug addiction (substance use disorders) provides information on causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment for substance use disorders.  
  • The National Institute on Mental Health webpage on Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders offers information about risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment for dual diagnoses. 
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse is the lead federal agency supporting scientific research on drug use and addiction. Visit their website for FAQs on addiction, research, data, clinical trials, and news updates. 

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