Helpful Guides

Addiction and Mental Health Education

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Aftercare refers to the ongoing support and services people may use after a period of treatment for a substance use disorder, and relapse prevention...

Alcohol Use Disorder: Signs and Treatment Options

Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition that involves compulsive drinking and a loss of control over alcohol, and the National Institute on Alcohol...

Behavioral Therapies Used in Addiction Treatment

Behavioral therapies are structured counseling approaches used in addiction treatment to help individuals change their thinking patterns and behaviors...

Benzodiazepine Dependence and Treatment

Benzodiazepines are a class of prescription medicines that the U.S.

Buprenorphine Treatment Explained

Buprenorphine is a medication that the U.S.

Cannabis Use Disorder and Treatment

Cannabis use disorder is a recognized medical condition where a person's cannabis use becomes problematic and compulsive, leading to significant impairment...

Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Co-occurring disorders means that a person has both a substance use disorder and another mental health condition at the same time.

Crisis Help: 988 And Other National Lines

If you or someone you know is in a mental health or substance use crisis, immediate help is available.

Detox vs. Rehab: What Is the Difference?

Detox and rehab are two distinct phases of addiction treatment.

Does Insurance Cover Addiction Treatment?

Many health insurance plans cover some or all of the costs for addiction treatment, though coverage levels vary.

Fentanyl: Risks and Treatment

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that poses serious risks, including overdose and addiction.

Free and Low-Cost Treatment Options

Not everyone can afford addiction treatment, but several programs and facilities offer free or low-cost care.

How to Choose a Treatment Program

Choosing a treatment program is a process of matching what a program offers to what a person needs, and official sources describe several features worth...

How to Help a Loved One Get Treatment

Helping a loved one with a substance use problem often starts with learning what treatment involves and how to find it.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment

Inpatient and outpatient treatment differ mainly in where care takes place and how much time a person spends in a structured program.

Licensing and Accreditation: What to Check

Checking a treatment program's licensing is one of the most practical steps you can take when comparing addiction treatment centers.

Medicare Coverage for Substance Use Treatment

Medicare covers some mental health and substance use disorder services, and the details depend on the type of care involved.

Medications and Pharmacotherapy

Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition, and several medications are approved to help treat it alongside counseling and other supports.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid use disorder is a treatable medical condition, and the U.S.

Mental Health Parity and Addiction Coverage

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) is a federal law that requires most health insurance plans to cover mental health and substance...

Methadone vs. Buprenorphine (Suboxone)

Methadone and buprenorphine (often prescribed as Suboxone) are both FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder, but they work differently in the body...

Methamphetamine and Cocaine: Treatment Options

Methamphetamine and cocaine are stimulant drugs, and official sources describe addiction to them as a treatable condition, though the approaches differ from...

Naloxone and Recognizing an Overdose

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose by rapidly blocking the effects of opioids, according to the CDC and the FDA.

Opioid Use Disorder: Signs and Treatment Options

Opioid use disorder is a treatable health condition involving problematic use of opioids such as prescription pain relievers, heroin, or fentanyl, and...

Outpatient, IOP and PHP Programs Explained

Outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), and partial hospitalization (PHP) programs are different levels of structured addiction and mental health treatment...

Overdose Good Samaritan Laws

Overdose Good Samaritan laws provide legal protections for individuals who seek medical help for someone experiencing a drug overdose.

PHP vs. IOP: Comparing Program Intensity

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are two common levels of care for addiction treatment, differing mainly in...

Questions to Ask a Treatment Provider

Before choosing a treatment provider, it helps to know what to ask so you can compare options and understand what care involves.

Recovery Housing and Sober Living

Recovery housing is a group living setting for people who are working on recovery from a substance use disorder and want a stable, substance-free place to live.

Recovery Support and 12-Step Literature

Residential (Inpatient) Treatment Explained

Residential treatment is a substance use disorder program in which a person lives at the treatment facility while receiving care.

Telehealth for Substance Use Treatment

Telehealth allows you to consult with a licensed clinician for substance use treatment from your home using a phone or computer.

Understanding the Cost of Treatment

The cost of substance use treatment varies based on the type and length of care, your location, and your insurance coverage.

Using FindTreatment.gov and the SAMHSA Helpline

FindTreatment.gov is a confidential and free resource from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that helps you locate...

Using Medicaid for Substance Use Treatment

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income individuals, and it often covers substance use disorder...

What Happens at Intake and Assessment

The intake and assessment process is the first step when entering a treatment program for substance use.

What Is Medical Detox?

Medical detox is a medically supervised process that helps people safely withdraw from alcohol or other substances while managing withdrawal symptoms.

Work, FMLA and the ADA During Treatment

Federal law offers some workplace protections and leave rights to people who are getting help for a substance use disorder, though the details depend on the...

Your Privacy in Treatment (42 CFR Part 2)

Yes, records related to substance use disorder treatment are protected under federal law, specifically 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA.