How to find drug and alcohol treatment if you have no insurance

Start with a free and private phone call

Asking for help with drugs or alcohol is a health decision, and many programs exist for people who have no insurance. The easiest first step is a phone call. SAMHSA is the federal agency that works on mental health and substance use. It runs the National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP, which is 1-800-662-4357.

The helpline is free and confidential, and SAMHSA says someone answers 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It is a treatment referral and information service, and it works in English and Spanish. According to SAMHSA, the helpline does not ask you for personal information. It may ask for your ZIP code so that it can find help near you.

The people who answer do not give counseling. They are trained information specialists who connect callers with local help and state services. SAMHSA says that if you have no insurance or too little, the helpline will refer you to your state office for state-funded treatment programs. It can often also refer you to programs that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicaid or Medicare.

Search for treatment near you on FindTreatment.gov

FindTreatment.gov is a website run by SAMHSA. SAMHSA calls it a confidential and anonymous resource for people looking for treatment for mental health and substance use. The site lists state-licensed treatment programs near you, and you can use it on your own, at any hour, without talking to anyone first.

Once you find a program, ask about the cost before you go. Say that you have no insurance, and ask what the program offers for people in your situation. Programs differ a great deal, so a few calls can show you very different options.

What does state-funded or sliding-scale care mean?

State-funded programs are paid for in part by your state, so they can charge less. Each state has an office that oversees substance use treatment, and the helpline can connect you with it. A sliding fee scale means that the price you pay depends on how much money you make. SAMHSA says many programs offer this option and tells people to ask for it when they call to set up an appointment.

SAMHSA lists other ways to lower the cost of treatment.

• Some programs in larger centers or hospitals have grants, scholarships or charity care. If one is offered, ask if it covers your whole stay and whether you must pay the money back if you do not finish.
• Some programs have payment plans, so make sure you know when and how much you have to pay back.
• Your state mental health and substance use agency can tell you how people without insurance get treatment.
• Support groups are another place to look for help. If you are a student, your school's health center or peer support group may help.

Charity care at hospitals, and how to ask for it, is explained in our guide on hospital financial assistance.

Community health centers can help

Community health centers are clinics paid for in part by the federal government. HRSA, the federal agency that oversees them, says they treat medical, dental, mental health and substance use needs. HRSA also says health centers adjust their fees based on income and family size, and that they serve everyone even if they cannot pay.

Not every center offers the same services, so call ahead and ask about substance use care. A health center can also be a good place to see a doctor for other health needs. To find one near you, read our guide on community health centers.

Does Medicaid cover substance use treatment?

Medicaid is the public health insurance program that each state runs for people with low incomes. Medicaid.gov says that nearly 12 percent of Medicaid members over age 18 have a substance use disorder. It also says Medicaid is playing a growing role in paying for substance use services. The National Institute of Mental Health says substance use disorders affect the brain and behavior and can cause problems at work, at school or in relationships.

Many states have added behavioral health services for substance use to their Medicaid plans, according to Medicaid.gov. Behavioral health means care for mental health and substance use. The services covered differ from state to state, so check your own state's Medicaid program. You can apply at any time of the year, even if you think your income is too high. The steps are in our guide on how to apply for Medicaid.

If you need help right now

If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988. People who reach 988 get support at any hour without judgment, according to SAMHSA. The line covers mental health and substance use, and you can call, text or chat.

If someone has overdosed, call 911 right away. You can also go to the nearest emergency room in any emergency. Hospitals must check and stabilize anyone who comes in with an emergency, with or without insurance. The bill can feel scary, and you can ask about help with it later.

In March 2023, the FDA approved the first naloxone nasal spray that can be sold without a prescription. The FDA describes naloxone as a medicine that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It says the spray can be sold in places such as drug stores, gas stations and online. A pharmacist or your health department can tell you more.

Questions to ask a treatment program

These questions help you compare programs, and you can read them out loud when you call.

• Find out whether the program has a sliding fee scale and what proof of income it needs.
• Check whether grants, scholarships or charity care exist for people with no insurance.
• Ask whether you can make payments over time.
• Learn whether the program takes Medicaid and will help you apply.
• Ask whether there is a wait, and what you can do while you wait.

If the first program says no, call another one. A refusal at one place does not mean help is unavailable everywhere. Therapy can also be part of care, and our guide on therapy cost without insurance lists low-cost routes.

If you also want a regular doctor to talk with about your health, you can search for a cash-pay doctor near you. This page gives general information and is not medical advice. Please talk with a licensed clinician about the care that fits you.