Drug and Alcohol Addiction Hotlines

Is the Conversation Confidential When I Call a Substance Abuse Helpline?

Alcohol and drug addiction hotlines are anonymous and confidential toll-free numbers that offer assistance to those struggling with substance abuse. They are staffed by trained advisors, some of whom are or were also in recovery themselves. Not only is the call confidential, but treatment and records are as well. Learn more about confidentiality and records.

How to Prepare for an Alcohol or Drug Abuse Hotline Call

If you or a loved one has an addiction or is in need for some free guidance and support with substance abuse issues, calling a drug hotline and talking with an advisor is a good and free place to start. If you are still unsure if calling a drug and alcohol addiction hotline is the right thing to do, here are some questions to ask yourself that may help you decide:

• Are you afraid that you or a loved one’s use of drugs or alcohol has started to become more serious, or is causing problems?
• Are you or a loved one currently addicted to drugs or alcohol and wanting to get and stay sober, but are unsure of where to turn or how to start?
• Are you looking for advice on how to engage a loved one about their addiction or provide them some resources to get help and start treatment for their addiction?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider calling a drug or alcohol hotline. However, if you are still unsure whether you should call, here are some signs and symptoms of alcoholism and drug addiction:

• Neglecting responsibilities at school, work, or home in favor of drug or alcohol use.
• Wanting to quit drinking alcohol and/or using drugs, but being unable to stop.
• Experiencing significant cravings or irritability when not using drugs or consuming alcohol.
• Using drugs or consuming alcohol despite the impact on relationships, jobs, finances, and physical and mental health it may cause.
• Using more of a substance than intended, or needing to use more of a substance in order to achieve the same result/feeling as when you first began using, which is referred to as tolerance.
• Experiencing mental and/or physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop using drugs or alcohol, which is referred to as dependence.

If one or more of these signs or symptoms sound familiar, then a drug and alcohol hotline can help you or your loved one take the first step towards recovery.

If you know you would like to enter treatment and are unsure about the cost of rehab, find out if the cost may be covered by insurance. One of our admissions navigators will call you back after filling in the form below.

Addiction­­­ can take a heavy toll on the people around you; hotlines are available to both the person addicted as well as their loved ones. While these hotlines cannot provide counseling services, they do provide support, education, and resources to help you or your loved one better understand how to get additional help and steps to addiction treatment.

Who Should Call a Substance or Drug Abuse Hotline?

Anyone can call the drug or alcohol abuse addiction hotline for advice. Parents, family members, friends, acquaintances or even the person themselves even may call for advice, help, or just to explore treatment options. The addiction hotline is free to use and there is no obligation to enter treatment.

Addiction helplines typically help people who are struggling with abusing drugs such as:

Call us at

Can a Person Start Rehab or the Recovery Process at the Time of the Call?

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is the largest network of facilities in the United States that provides varied levels of care and wrap-around support for people who are ready to take control of their addiction.

Our facilities provide treatment programs that are backed up by research and delivered by a staff of qualified addiction professionals. What makes AAC truly stand out from other organizations is our wide range of treatment options, our 90-day promise, and our alumni network.

AAC is the nation’s leading provider in addiction treatment and research. We are committed to working with you to determine the best course of action to treat the disease impacting your life, and we are just a quick phone call away.

Substance Abuse Text Line, Chat & Contact Options

If you are not ready to talk to someone on the phone, there are a few alternatives. American Addiction Centers offers personalized text support as well as an addiction chat on the site.

• Get Text Support

• Learn More About Chat
• Save our contact information for later on your mobile device.
• Get a Rehab Call Back
• Contact American Addiction Centers

Free Addiction Hotline Resources

The following hotline resources are also free, confidential, and available 24/7:

• DrugAbuse.com hotline: Addiction Navigators on call 24/7 to help answer any questions related to drug abuse and support
• Al-Anon and Ala-teen hotline line: 800-356-9996 – Counselors provide support to teens and adults who are negatively impacted by alcohol addiction and provide resources to group therapy nearby for ongoing support.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-4357 – English/Spanish speaking counselors provide referrals to treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based services.
• National Suicide Prevention: 988 – Support to help those in crisis process their emotional distress and prevent suicide.
• Boys Town: 1-800-448-3000 – Over 140 languages can be translated; they also provide a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) line for the speech and hearing impaired (1-800-448-1833).
• Drugfree.org: call 855-378-4373 or text 55753 – Counselors provide support and education and guide you to the best course of action.

Other National Hotlines

The following are other national hotline resources which are free and confidential:

• LGBTQ+ National Hotline – 1-888-843-4564 – Trained LGBTQIA+ volunteers provide free and confidential support, information and local resources. Monday – Friday 1pm to 9pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm, Pacific time.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – Call or Text 988 – If you’re in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, there are options available to help you cope—dial 988 from anywhere in the US to get connected. Press 1 for Veterans, 2 for Spanish and 3 for the LGBTQ+ community.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Call 1-800-950-6264 or Text “Helpline” to 62640 –  Offers peer-support, answers questions and provides practical resources and next steps. Designed for people living with a mental health condition, their loved ones and caregivers.