SAMHSA Treatment Locator

SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA's mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness in America.

SAMHSA provides critical resources for people seeking treatment, including: the National Helpline (1-800-662-4357), the FindTreatment.gov online locator, block grant funding that supports state treatment programs, national guidelines and best practices for treatment, and data and research on substance use and mental health.

SAMHSA does not provide treatment directly. Instead, it funds, supports, and helps you find licensed treatment providers in your community. Think of SAMHSA as your free navigator for finding the right help.

The SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) is one of the most important recovery resources in the country.

What it is: A free, confidential, 24-hour, 365-day-a-year information and referral service. Available in English and Spanish. TTY line available at 1-800-487-4889.

What it provides: Referrals to local treatment facilities, Referrals to support groups (AA, NA, etc.), Information about state-funded treatment programs, Help understanding different types of treatment, Connections to community-based organizations, Information about paying for treatment.

Who can call: Anyone. You do not need insurance. You do not need to give your name. You do not need to be in crisis. Family members and friends can also call for information and guidance.

What to expect when you call: An information specialist (not a clinician) will answer and ask about your situation, location, insurance status, and what kind of help you need. They will provide referrals to facilities and programs near you. The call is confidential — no information is shared with anyone.

In 2020, the helpline received over 833,000 calls, demonstrating the enormous demand for these services. Do not hesitate to call — the specialists answer thousands of calls every day and are trained to help people in exactly your situation.

FindTreatment.gov is SAMHSA's free online treatment locator. It lists state-licensed providers who specialize in treating substance use disorders and mental illness across all 50 states and U.S. territories.

How to search: Visit findtreatment.gov and enter your location (city, state, or ZIP code). You can filter results by: type of care (residential, outpatient, detox, etc.), substances treated (alcohol, opioids, stimulants, etc.), payment options (Medicaid, sliding scale, free treatment, private insurance), special populations (veterans, adolescents, pregnant women, LGBTQ+, criminal justice clients), medications offered (buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone), and language services.

What the listings include: Facility name and contact information, services offered, payment options accepted, hours of operation, and distance from your location.

The locator is confidential and anonymous — no login or personal information is required to search. Results can be printed, saved, or shared.

Tip: Use the "Payment/Insurance/Funding" filter to find facilities that accept Medicaid, offer sliding-scale fees, or provide free treatment. This is especially helpful if you have no insurance.

The SAMHSA locator helps you find a wide range of treatment services:

Detoxification: Medically supervised withdrawal from substances. Essential for alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines where withdrawal can be medically dangerous.

Residential Treatment: Full-time inpatient programs where you live at the facility. Typically 28 to 90 days. Includes therapy, counseling, medical care, and structured activities.

Outpatient Treatment: Regularly scheduled therapy and counseling while you live at home. Ranges from once-weekly sessions to intensive outpatient programs (3 to 5 days per week).

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): FDA-approved medications (buprenorphine/Suboxone, methadone, naltrexone/Vivitrol) combined with counseling for opioid and alcohol use disorders.

Mental Health Services: Treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Many people with substance use disorders also have mental health conditions.

Peer Support Services: Recovery coaches, peer specialists, and mutual support groups that complement clinical treatment.

Telehealth: Virtual treatment options including video counseling, telepsychiatry, and phone-based support.

In addition to the main FindTreatment.gov locator, SAMHSA offers specialized search tools:

Opioid Treatment Program Directory: Lists SAMHSA-certified programs that can dispense methadone and other medications for opioid use disorder. These programs are specifically accredited for medication-assisted treatment.

Buprenorphine Practitioner Locator: Finds doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants authorized to prescribe buprenorphine (Suboxone) for opioid use disorder. Following the removal of the X-waiver requirement in 2023, more providers can now prescribe buprenorphine.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: If you are in immediate crisis, call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7. The 988 Lifeline connects you to trained counselors who can help with suicidal thoughts, substance use crises, and emotional distress.

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 for people experiencing emotional distress related to disasters or traumatic events.

All of these services are free, confidential, and available nationwide.

SAMHSA resources are available to everyone, regardless of criminal history. If you have a criminal record or are involved in the criminal justice system, here is what you need to know:

No disqualification: Having a criminal record does not prevent you from using SAMHSA's helpline or treatment locator. State-funded programs referred by SAMHSA serve many people with criminal histories.

Criminal justice filter: The FindTreatment.gov locator includes a filter for facilities that serve "criminal justice clients." This helps you find programs experienced in working with people on probation, parole, or in drug court programs.

Confidentiality: Your treatment records are protected by federal law under 42 CFR Part 2. This means your substance use disorder treatment information cannot be disclosed to law enforcement, courts, or employers without your written consent. This protection was specifically designed to encourage people to seek treatment without fear of legal consequences.

Drug court connections: SAMHSA funds drug court programs and treatment alternatives to incarceration across the country. The helpline can provide information about drug court and diversion programs in your area.

Reentry support: SAMHSA's GAINS Center focuses specifically on behavioral health services for people in the criminal justice system, including those reentering the community after incarceration.

When calling the helpline or using the online locator, these tips will help you get the best results:

Be honest about your situation: Tell the specialist about your substance use, insurance status, financial situation, and any criminal justice involvement. The more they know, the better referrals they can provide.

Ask about wait times: Some programs have waiting lists. Ask about estimated wait times and whether you can be placed on multiple waiting lists simultaneously.

Ask about costs upfront: Confirm whether a referred program accepts your insurance, offers sliding-scale fees, or provides free treatment before you go.

Call multiple facilities: Get referrals to several programs and call each one. Availability, wait times, and fit vary widely.

Act quickly: If a spot opens, it may not stay open long. Have your basic information ready (ID, insurance card if you have one, list of medications) so you can move fast.

Follow up: If you do not hear back from a facility, call again. Persistence pays off. Call SAMHSA again if your first referrals do not work out — they can provide additional options.

Use the text option: If calling feels too intimidating, text your ZIP code to 435748 (HELP4U) for treatment referrals near you.