If you or someone you know is in crisis right now: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). For a possible overdose or any medical emergency, call 911. For help finding treatment, the SAMHSA National Helpline is free and open 24/7 at 1-800-662-4357.
The short answer
FindTreatment.gov is SAMHSA’s online locator for mental health and substance use treatment, and the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) is a free referral line you can call at any hour. Use the locator to browse and filter, use the helpline to talk to a person, and always confirm details with the program you choose.
What is FindTreatment.gov?
FindTreatment.gov is the federal government’s directory of behavioral health treatment facilities. It lists programs across the country, including outpatient, residential and medication-based services. SAMHSA updates the locator each year using facility responses to its national survey of substance use and mental health services, so some details may be out of date.
How to search
- Go to FindTreatment.gov and enter your address, city or ZIP code.
- Choose the type of help: substance use treatment, mental health treatment or both.
- Filter your results. Useful filters include:
- Type of care: outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, detox
- Payment and insurance accepted: private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, sliding fee scale or payment assistance
- Medication for addiction treatment
- Special programs: for example for veterans, adolescents, women or specific languages
- Open each listing and note the services, payment options and contact details.
- Call at least two or three programs to confirm availability and costs.
To narrow results to lower-cost options, filter for providers offering a sliding fee scale or payment assistance. (See [Free and Low-Cost Rehab Options Without Insurance].)
What is the SAMHSA National Helpline?
It is a free, confidential, 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year treatment referral and information service for people and families facing mental health or substance use disorders. SAMHSA describes it as available in English and Spanish, and it provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups and community-based organizations.
| Way to reach it | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1-800-662-HELP (4357) |
| TTY | 1-800-487-4889 |
| Text | Text your 5-digit ZIP code to 435748 (HELP4U). The text service is currently in English only. |
If you have no insurance or too little coverage, the helpline can refer you to your state office, which handles state-funded treatment, and can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Important: the helpline is a referral service, not a crisis line. For thoughts of suicide or an emotional crisis, call or text 988. For an emergency such as an overdose, call 911.
Helpline or locator: which should you use?
| FindTreatment.gov | National Helpline | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Browsing, comparing and filtering on your own | Talking through options with a person |
| Available | Anytime online | 24/7 by phone; text in English |
| Strength | Detailed filters | Personal guidance and help with state programs |
| Limit | May contain outdated listings | A referral, not an assessment |
Many people use both: call for guidance, then use the locator to compare options.
What to ask when you call the helpline
- Which programs near me offer the level of care I need?
- Which ones accept my insurance, Medicaid or Medicare?
- Are there state-funded or sliding-scale programs?
- Who do I contact for the state’s treatment services?
- What can I do while I wait for an opening?
Limits of the locator and the helpline
- A listing is not an endorsement. Being in the directory does not guarantee quality. (See [How to Find a Legitimate Rehab Center: Accreditation and Red Flags].)
- Details can be outdated. Always call to confirm services, costs and openings.
- The helpline cannot diagnose you or promise a bed.
- Privacy. SAMHSA describes its services as confidential, but you can ask how your information will be used.
A simple plan
- Call or text the helpline, or open the locator, and write down 3 to 5 programs.
- Call each and use the questions in [15 Questions to Ask a Rehab Center Before You Sign Up].
- Check licensing and accreditation.
- Confirm costs and insurance in writing. (See [Does Insurance Cover Rehab? How to Check Your Benefits Step by Step].)
- If you need help quickly, see [How to Get Into Rehab Fast: Same-Day and Next-Day Admission Options].
Beware of look-alike sites and hotlines
Many websites and phone numbers offer “free help” but are run by treatment providers or marketers who refer you to paying programs. Before you share information, ask who you are speaking with and who owns the line. FindTreatment.gov is a .gov site, and the National Helpline is a federal service.
If you are a family member
You can call or text on behalf of your loved one. Have the person’s ZIP code, insurance information and the type of help needed ready, and ask the helpline how to include them in the process.
Frequently asked questions
What is FindTreatment.gov?
SAMHSA’s online directory of mental health and substance use treatment programs.
Is the SAMHSA helpline free?
Yes. The referral service is free of charge.
Is the helpline open 24 hours?
Yes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Does the helpline speak Spanish?
Yes, English and Spanish are available by phone. The text service is currently English only.
Can the helpline help if I have no insurance?
Yes. It can refer you to state-funded programs and to facilities that use a sliding fee scale or accept Medicaid or Medicare.
Is the helpline for emergencies?
No. For a crisis, call or text 988. For an overdose, call 911.
Can I trust every listing?
No. Verify each program’s license and accreditation before you commit.
Sources
- SAMHSA. National Helpline. samhsa.gov
- SAMHSA. FindTreatment.gov — Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator. findtreatment.gov
- SAMHSA. Free or Low Cost Treatment Options. samhsa.gov
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Services and contact details can change, so confirm them on the official sites.