Drug and Alcohol Addiction Hotline Guide

Updated: Jul 31, 2026

If you or a family member is experiencing medical complications from addiction or a mental health crisis, including thoughts of suicide or harming others, call 911 right away. For a suspected overdose, call 911 immediately rather than a hotline. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is also available 24/7: call or text 988.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Drug and alcohol hotlines are free, anonymous ways to learn about addiction and treatment, and to talk with a caring professional or volunteer
Hotlines are not for emergencies. For a medical crisis, suicidal thoughts, or a suspected overdose, call 911, and for mental health crisis support, call or text 988
Key national helplines include SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357 and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available around the clock
During a suspected opioid overdose, call 911, give naloxone if available, keep the person breathing, and place them on their side until help arrives
Call Recovery First at any time for free, confidential help and an insurance check, available 24/7

Mental Health & Substance Misuse Helpline Resources

Numerous treatment options are available through free hotlines.

SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357. SAMHSA is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which is a federal government resource for behavioral health and substance misuse treatment and information. SAMHSA has information on free and low- cost treatment programs.
National Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-8255 is a helpful hotline for people experiencing suicidal thoughts. However, their services are open to anyone dealing with struggles who want to talk about them.
Boys Town: 800-448-3000 is a free hotline staffed 24/7 for anyone experiencing mental health or substance misuse issues. If you prefer, you can text VOICE to 20121 between noon and midnight CST.
Lines for Life Alcohol and Drug helpline at 1-800-923-4357. If you are in crisis you can call their suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255. For support for veterans, service members and their families, call 1-888-457-4838.

When to Call a Hotline

Anyone can call a drug or alcohol hotline, whether you are worried about your own use or a loved one’s. While information is not a substitute for a professional assessment, it helps to recognize the signs of a substance use disorder, which can include:

Using more of a substance, or for longer, than you intended.
Continuing to use despite knowing it causes physical or mental health problems.
Using in high-risk situations, such as driving under the influence.
Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from substances.
Unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop on your own.
Strong cravings or giving up activities you once enjoyed.
Increased tolerance or withdrawal symptoms when you stop.

What to Do During an Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, do not call a hotline. Call 911 immediately.

employees at a american addiction centers answering calls for patients wanting treatment

Why a Hotline Can Help

Hotlines are anonymous, so you can seek information comfortably and privately, whether for yourself or a loved one. When you call the American Addiction Centers hotline (American Addiction Centers is the parent company of Recovery First), you are connected with an admissions navigator who understands the available treatment options and may have personal experience with recovery, giving them a unique perspective on the journey ahead.

What a Treatment Plan Looks Like

Whatever type of treatment you choose, most programs follow the same general steps:

Assessment: A practitioner asks about your support system, substance use history, medical and mental health history, and current use.
Individualized plan: A program tailored to your needs, outlining the type, frequency, and length of treatment.
Individual and group counseling: Working with a trained counselor to explore the roots of addiction and how to maintain recovery.
Introduction to self-help groups: Connecting you with AA, NA, SMART Recovery, and similar communities to support recovery after treatment.

Rehab Options at Recovery First Treatment Center

If you decide that treatment is in the cards after talking to someone at a hotline, know that Recovery First has several substance misuse treatment options.

Detox

For many, detox is the first stop on the road to recovery. This is where medical professionals will help you through getting rid of any drugs and/or alcohol in your system.

Depending on the type of substance a person is using, they may need to go to a medical detox program to help them safely cope with physical withdrawal symptoms, particularly if the person is physically dependent on alcohol or benzodiazepines, a class of medications that includes Xanax, Klonipin, and Valium. Abruptly stopping these medications can result in seizures, which may be life-threatening.^4,5

At Recovery First, nurses make rounds every 15 minutes to monitor your detox and withdrawal symptoms.

Inpatient & Residential Treatment

This is the most intense form of treatment for substance misuse and includes 24/7 oversight and care. Not everyone requires inpatient treatment but can be a good option depending on the type of substances involved, the severity of a person’s substance use disorder, and if the person has underlying medical or psychiatric diagnoses.⁶

Outpatient Treatment

The outpatient approach to treatment comes in many different forms. At our facility, intensive outpatient treatment provides a course of treatment, which usually consists of 2 to 3 hours per day, 2 to 3 days per week. Outpatient treatment provides the same type of treatment as inpatient treatment except that you go home at night and can keep going to work or school while receiving treatment.²

Our Brand Promise

At American Addiction Centers, we believe so strongly in our programs that if you relapse after completing 90 days of consecutive treatment with us you can return for 30 days of free treatment. Terms and conditions may apply.

Specialty Programs

You or your loved one may have special treatment needs. We provide specialized care for military veterans, first responders, and health care providers.

We also treat people with co-occurring mental health disorders and substance misuse issues. This means that our programs offer support for both recovery from addiction and treatment for various mental and emotional disorders.

Contact Recovery First’s 24/7 Addiction Treatment Services Today

At our drug rehab in Hollywood, FL, our staff is available at all hours of the day and night and are ready to help support you on your journey towards recovery. Call us right now at and speak with one of our admissions navigators, who can help answer all of your questions, including those about what levels of care we offer and what your insurance options are.

Do not let one more day go by without getting the help you need. You can get started on the road to recovery by verifying your insurance with our .

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