Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number to speak with someone if I am having thoughts of suicide or emotional distress?
Please call 1-800-273-8255 if you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or emotional distress. You are not alone and a representative will be with you shortly.
Veterans Crisis Line – 1-800-273-8255
Options For Deaf + Hard of Hearing
For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio – 1-888-628-9454
How can I dispose of prescription drugs that are no longer needed?
The U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration created a website where you search by location to properly dispose of controlled substances.
How do I find opioid treatment programs?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created a website to locate a treatment facility near you.
What are the treatment options available for someone who is struggling with addiction?
Please check out FindTreatment.gov to view the various types of treatment options currently available.
Does insurance cover substance use treatment?
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 requires health insurers and group health plans to provide the same level of benefits for mental and/or substance use treatment and services that they do for medical and surgical care. That means your insurance company can’t tell you “we don’t do substance abuse treatment” or “mental health isn’t covered.” If they do this, they’re breaking the law.
If you’ve been denied coverage for treatment, this Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Help tool can help you find the right resources to solve issues with your insurance.
Source: FindTreatment.gov
Are mental health disorders treatable?
Like addiction, mental health disorders are treatable medical conditions, not someone’s fault. About half of people with a substance use disorder also experience serious mental illness.
Almost 1 in 5 adults in the USA will experience some form of mental health disorder, and 1 in every 22 is living with a serious mental illness, like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive episodes. When a serious mental illness like this affects someone under the age of 18, it’s called a serious emotional disturbance.
A lot of stigma and judgement exists around serious mental illness. People may expect someone with serious mental illness to look visibly different, and they may tell someone they don’t “look ill” or that they should just “get over it” by using willpower.