Addiction Treatment
Addiction treatment can include medication, therapy, and recovery support. The right care fits your health needs, daily responsibilities, and the help you need to keep going.
Battling addiction & ready for help?
Finding Addiction Treatment That Fits Your Needs
You do not have to know whether you need “rehab,” medication, or weekly appointments before asking for help. Addiction is treatable, and an assessment can help you choose the next step. Treatment should address substance use alongside your health, daily responsibilities, and the support you need to keep going.[1][2]
A return to use does not mean treatment cannot work. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) compares it with symptoms returning in other long-term illnesses, including high blood pressure and asthma. It is a reason to review and adjust care.[1]
After a break from opioids, returning to a previous amount can cause a fatal overdose. The body becomes less used to the drug during that break, so an amount someone took before may now overwhelm it. This change is called reduced tolerance.[1]
When to Get Emergency Help Before Looking for Treatment
Call 911 if you think someone is overdosing. If an opioid overdose is possible, give naloxone, a medicine that reverses opioid overdose, if available, place the person on their side, and stay until help arrives. Naloxone does not replace emergency care.[3]
During possible alcohol withdrawal, symptoms that occur after reducing or stopping drinking, go to an emergency department or call 911 for a seizure, fever, severe confusion, hallucinations (seeing or feeling things that are not there), or an irregular heartbeat. If you have been drinking heavily for a prolonged period, seek medical help before suddenly stopping. Withdrawal can become life-threatening.[4][5]
Fast Facts About Addiction Treatment
Start with your needs, then compare the available care:
- Treatment should address substance use alongside medical, mental health, family, work, and other practical needs.[1]
- Medication is a first-line treatment (a recommended starting treatment) for opioid addiction, usually alongside counseling or behavioral therapy. It is not reserved for people who have already completed residential rehab.[1]
- Detoxification alone is not a complete treatment plan: ongoing treatment and support address what happens after withdrawal.[1]
How Can You Start Addiction Treatment?
An addiction counselor can be one starting point for a conversation about treatment. Ask about credentials, experience with your concerns, and coordination with medical care. If you need medication or withdrawal assessment, include an appropriate healthcare professional who can assess those needs in the plan.[6][2]
Start by asking for an assessment rather than trying to choose a treatment setting on your own. An assessment considers your health, substance use, mental health, strengths, and available support to help match care to your situation. You can ask a clinician to explain the recommendation and how the plan will be reviewed.[2]
You can take one manageable step today:
- Ask for an appointment. Tell a primary care clinician or treatment provider that you want help with alcohol or other substance use. For alcohol concerns, primary care, outpatient appointments, and telehealth visits by video or phone are among the available approaches.[5][7]
- Find possible providers. Use FindTreatment.gov, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) confidential and anonymous U.S. treatment resource, or call its National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential information and referrals, available around the clock.[8]
- Explain immediate needs when you call. Mention withdrawal concerns, other health conditions, current medications, and any difficulty attending appointments. Ask what the provider can assess and what requires another service. Treatment planning should consider these needs together.[5][2]
If you are looking for someone else, you can start by gathering information and offering a specific kind of help, such as sitting together during a call or arranging transportation. You do not have to diagnose the person or have their whole treatment plan figured out.
For emotional distress or suicidal crisis in the United States, call or text 988. The Lifeline provides confidential support around the clock, including support when you are worried about a loved one.[8][5]
What If a Treatment Program Has a Waiting List?
Ask what care you can receive while waiting and whether another provider can see you sooner. Interim care means help before a regular treatment place opens. It may include medication and emergency counseling. Check what the service can offer now. A waiting list is not a plan for managing urgent symptoms.[9]
What Happens During an Addiction Treatment Assessment?
A treatment assessment is a conversation about your substance use, health, and daily life. Expect questions about your physical and mental health, family, work, and practical support. For example, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recommends this broader assessment when someone seeks alcohol treatment. The answers help the provider recommend care that fits the person.[2]
Prepare for Your First Appointment
To prepare, consider writing down:
- Which substances you use and the questions or problems that concern you.
- Previous attempts to change your use and what helped or got in the way.
- Past withdrawal symptoms and any urgent health concerns.
- Current prescriptions, over-the-counter products, and other substances.
- Mental health concerns and treatments you already receive.
- Work, school, caregiving, transportation, housing, or cost constraints.
- What you hope treatment will help you do differently.
Bring what you know. You can tell the clinician when you are unsure or cannot remember something. The list helps you prepare for a conversation, and the clinician makes the assessment.
How Mental Health and Other Needs Affect Treatment Choices
Substance use treatment should address the whole person. Someone may also need help with physical illness, emotional distress, family relationships, employment, or legal problems. The goal is a coordinated plan, rather than expecting one treatment method to solve every problem.[1]
Other mental health conditions that occur alongside substance-use problems are called co-occurring conditions. For example, someone using stimulants may also have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Trouble concentrating can have different causes. SAMHSA recommends looking at the history of both ADHD symptoms and substance use, rather than assuming one explains everything.[10]
Ask whether a program can address your particular needs or coordinate with another clinician. If you need interpretation, disability accommodations, pregnancy-related care, or an age-appropriate program, raise those needs before choosing a service.
If persistent pain is part of your situation, explore questions for coordinating chronic pain and addiction care before your appointment.
How Do Addiction Treatment Settings Compare?
A treatment setting describes where you receive care and how much support is available. Therapy describes the work you do in that care. Medication, counseling, and recovery support can be offered in different settings. Assessment helps determine the right fit, and the plan can change as your needs change.[5][2]
SAMHSA describes outpatient, residential, and inpatient treatment for mental health and substance-use concerns. NIAAA also explains these settings for alcohol treatment. Ask each provider what it actually offers for the substance and health needs involved.[9][5]
| Treatment Setting | What the Setting Provides | A Question to Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient care | Scheduled office, virtual, or telehealth visits for counseling, medication support, or both | Can this schedule and level of support meet my needs safely? |
| Intensive outpatient (IOP) | Several hours of coordinated care, such as individual or group therapy, while living at home. More support than ordinary appointments. | Which days and hours would I attend, and who can I contact between visits? |
| Partial hospitalization (PHP) | A structured day program with more intensive care than IOP, without an overnight hospital stay. | How much of the day does treatment take, and what is the plan for evenings and weekends? |
| Residential treatment | A treatment program in a setting where people stay around the clock | What clinical care is provided, and how are medical needs handled? |
| Intensive inpatient care | Around-the-clock medical care that may include treating withdrawal symptoms | What medical monitoring do I need, and what happens after discharge? |
Both intensive outpatient care and partial hospitalization involve returning home after treatment. Partial hospitalization provides a more intensive day program. The hours, staffing, and available services vary, so ask for the actual schedule and an explanation of why the recommended setting fits your needs.[11][12][9]
Does Everyone Need Inpatient Rehab?
No. Treatment is not limited to a residential stay. Outpatient treatment can include counseling and medication, and some alcohol care is available through primary care or telehealth. A more intensive setting may be needed when assessment identifies needs that cannot be met safely with less support.[5][7][2]
In a 2023 Alliance for Aging Research interview, alcohol researcher George Koob described “many, many different treatments for alcohol use disorder that are outpatient.” His point helps frame the choice: treatment is broader than a stay in rehab. Ask which options can meet your health needs alongside work, family, or other responsibilities.[13]
The most expensive option is not automatically the best. Ask why a recommended level of care, meaning the amount of treatment and supervision, fits your circumstances. Ask what would lead to a change. The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator recommends comparing care quality and individual fit.[14]
How Is Medical Detox Different From Ongoing Treatment?
Medical detox addresses withdrawal and related symptoms when someone stops or reduces substance use. Medications can help manage some withdrawal symptoms. But getting through withdrawal does not, by itself, address the patterns, triggers, and other needs involved in continued recovery.[1]
Before detox ends, ask what ongoing care comes next. That may include appointments, medication, therapy, and recovery support. NIDA explains that detox alone, without further treatment, generally leads to a return to drug use.[1]
This distinction also helps explain why treatment medication may continue after withdrawal has ended. Different medications serve different purposes, including managing withdrawal, supporting continued treatment, and preventing a return to use.[1]
How Does Addiction Treatment Differ by Substance?
Evidence-based treatment is care informed by research and adapted to the person’s needs. The choices are not identical for alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis, and tobacco. A medication used for one condition should not be assumed to treat another.[1][15]
Alcohol Treatment Can Include Medication and Therapy
Treatment for alcohol use disorder may include behavioral treatment, medication, mutual-support groups, or a combination. Naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are approved U.S. medications for alcohol use disorder. They are nonaddictive and may be used alone or with counseling.[5][7]
Their roles differ. Naltrexone can reduce drinking by blocking some rewarding effects of alcohol. Acamprosate helps maintain abstinence, meaning not drinking, after stopping, while disulfiram causes an unpleasant reaction when alcohol is consumed. A clinician can help assess suitability and explain the benefits, risks, and practical demands of each option.[5][7]
Medication Is a Recommended Starting Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
People with opioid use disorder who are treated with methadone or buprenorphine are less likely to die or to have an overdose than those who do not receive treatment.[16]
NIDA recommends starting with medication for opioid addiction, usually combined with counseling or behavioral therapy. SAMHSA identifies buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone as approved medications for opioid use disorder.[1][15]
These are treatments for a health condition, not simply an exchange of one addiction for another. SAMHSA explains that medications for opioid use disorder can be used long term and advises consulting a doctor before stopping them. The appropriate medication and care arrangements require an individual discussion.[15]
Naloxone and nalmefene serve a different purpose: they reverse an opioid overdose. Emergency reversal medication does not replace ongoing treatment for opioid use disorder.[15][1]
Behavioral Treatment Is Important for Stimulant and Cannabis Problems
For stimulant use disorder, the Matrix Model combines individual and group sessions. People work on early recovery skills, ways to prevent a return to use, family education, and social support. SAMHSA describes it as an outpatient approach developed for cocaine and methamphetamine use disorders.[10]
Behavioral approaches are central to treatment for stimulant and cannabis use problems. They work on substance-use patterns, coping skills, and situations that can prompt a return to use.[1]
For stimulant use disorder, SAMHSA identifies strong evidence for contingency management. This approach gives rewards for agreed treatment goals. For example, a program might provide vouchers when a person meets a goal. Ask what the goals and rewards would be in your care.[10][17]
Clinicians may consider medication for some people with stimulant use disorder, but these uses are off-label, meaning the medicine is not FDA-approved for that condition. A substance-use treatment specialist should help weigh the evidence and risks. An alcohol or opioid medication should not be assumed to work the same way for stimulant problems.[17]
Tobacco Treatment Has Its Own Evidence-Based Options
For adults seeking to stop smoking cigarettes, options approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include nicotine replacement therapy (such as patches or gum), bupropion, and varenicline. The FDA recommends these medications together with behavioral counseling as recommended starting treatment. Combining medication and counseling improves the likelihood of quitting compared with either approach alone.[18][19]
Tell your treatment provider about nicotine use even if you are seeking care primarily for another substance. Ask how support for quitting can fit into your overall plan.
What Do Behavioral Therapies Do in Addiction Treatment?
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can take place individually or in a group setting. A therapist should explain which approach fits your needs, what it aims to change, and how progress will be assessed. Different approaches should not be assumed to have the same evidence for every condition.[6]
Behavioral therapies help people change substance-related thoughts and actions, respond to triggers, and develop coping skills. A trigger is a situation, feeling, person, or place connected with an urge to use. Therapy can also support medication treatment and continuing to attend treatment.[1]
Different approaches emphasize different skills:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people recognize and cope with situations in which substance use is more likely.
- Contingency management uses rewards for agreed treatment goals, such as attending sessions or taking medication as prescribed.
- Motivational enhancement helps people explore what they want to change, what makes change difficult, and their own reasons for seeking help.
- Family therapy addresses family influences on substance use and helps families improve how they relate to and support one another, especially when working with young people.[1]
Ask a provider to describe the approach in ordinary language: what you would do during appointments, what you might practice between them, and how progress would be assessed. A treatment name is more useful when you understand the work behind it.
How Do Support Groups Fit With Professional Treatment?
Professional therapy may also include mindfulness, practicing attention to the present moment, along with relaxation, or work on communication and coping. Ask what role each part plays in your plan. Peer support can complement care, but it does not replace the medical or mental health treatment you need.[6][1][7]
Support groups offer peer connection and encouragement. Twelve-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous are not medical treatment, but they can provide complementary social support. Twelve-step facilitation is a professional therapy intended to help someone participate in those groups.[1]
For alcohol concerns, NIAAA describes both twelve-step groups and secular options, which do not require a religious approach, such as SMART Recovery. A group may add support alongside professional care, and the choice should fit the person’s needs and preferences.[7]
How Can You Compare Addiction Treatment Providers?
Look for a provider who can explain the assessment, treatment approach, available services, and follow-up plan. The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator recommends searching trusted sources, asking quality questions, and comparing options rather than judging quality by price alone.[14]
Questions to Ask a Treatment Provider
Use these questions to organize a conversation:
- How can I check the program’s licensing or accreditation and the clinicians’ qualifications?
- Who will assess me, and why are you recommending this setting?
- Which treatments do you provide for my particular substance-use concerns?
- Can you provide or coordinate medication when it could help?
- How do you address mental health and other medical conditions?
- What does a typical week involve, and who provides the care?
- How will we define and review progress?
- What happens if I miss appointments or return to substance use?
- How are family members or other supports involved when I want them included?
- What follow-up is arranged when this phase of treatment ends?
- What will I pay, and which services are included?
SAMHSA recommends checking licensing and accreditation, research-supported treatment, family involvement when wanted, and help with other needs such as housing. A license is permission to practice or operate under state requirements. Accreditation means an outside organization has reviewed a program against its standards. Neither replaces asking about the actual care you need.[20][2]
What Should You Ask About Cost and Insurance?
For help arranging care around cost, waiting lists, travel or privacy, explore ways to access mental health and addiction care.
SAMHSA reports that many programs accept private insurance or public coverage such as Medicaid, Medicare, or Veterans Affairs health care. Free or lower-cost options also exist. Availability and your actual costs need to be checked with the program and, when relevant, your insurer.[21]
Before starting, ask for an explanation of the expected charges. Useful questions include: “Does my insurance plan cover this program? Do I need the insurer’s approval before starting? What will I pay myself? Are medication, testing, and follow-up included?” Confirm the answers with both the program and your insurer. If the cost is out of reach, ask about lower-cost options.[2][21]
SAMHSA’s guide to paying for treatment links to insurance information and free or lower-cost care. Asking about costs early is a reasonable part of planning treatment.[21]
AddictionHelp.com · Practical resources
Finding Treatment Starter Pack
Use call scripts, comparison examples, and notes to prepare your treatment search. If you have an online appointment arranged, the companion visit card helps you prepare technology, privacy, and questions.
8-page fillable PDF · Free · No signup
Read Finding Treatment Starter Pack online
For a related situation:
How Can Family and Friends Support Addiction Treatment?
Loved ones can offer practical support, but they also need support for themselves. NIAAA notes that caring for someone with alcohol problems can be stressful and recommends attending to your own needs through friends, family, community, support groups, or professional care when needed.[5]
Start with what you have observed and what help you can offer. For example: “I’m worried about what happened after you drank. Would you like me to sit with you while you call a clinician?” This is an example conversation, not a promise that a particular approach will make someone enter treatment.
Family involvement should reflect the wishes of the person receiving care. Ask the provider how participation works and what role you can have.[20]
Family therapy can address the family’s relationships and influences on substance use, particularly for younger people.[1]
Set realistic limits on what you can do. You might offer a ride to an appointment while being clear that you cannot miss work every day. The goal is specific, sustainable support rather than taking sole responsibility for another person’s recovery.
What Happens After the First Phase of Addiction Treatment?
Treatment needs can change. Your provider should review how you are doing and help plan the next stage of care. For example, someone finishing a residential stay may continue with outpatient appointments. Finishing a stay or getting through withdrawal does not necessarily mean that all treatment has ended.[2][1]
Before You Leave a Treatment Program
Before a transition, ask for a clear plan:
- Who is the next clinician or program, and when is the appointment?
- How will prescribed medication and other ongoing care continue?
- Which support contacts can you use between appointments?
- What concerns should prompt an earlier call?
- What is the plan if transportation, cost, or a missed appointment interrupts care?
What Should You Do After a Return to Substance Use?
A return to use, sometimes called relapse, does not mean treatment has failed. NIDA recommends speaking with a clinician about resuming, changing, or trying a different treatment. The response should address what happened and what the person needs now.[1]
A return to previous amounts can be dangerous after a period without the drug because the body may no longer be used to that amount. An overdose can be fatal. Treat suspected overdose as an emergency. Do not wait for the next treatment appointment.[1]
Your Next Step Toward Addiction Treatment
If you are gathering information, choose one question you have and ask a clinician or program to help answer it. If you are ready for care, request an assessment and discuss your goals, health needs, schedule, and costs.
If you are helping someone else, offer one concrete form of support and make space for your own needs. If you are already in treatment, ask how progress is being reviewed and what the next stage will involve.
For U.S. treatment information and referrals, use FindTreatment.gov or call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). For emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call or text 988.[8]
You can begin by asking one provider how its care would fit your needs. Explore AddictionHelp’s Treatment Center Directory → and compare treatment approaches, costs, access, and follow-up.
If you are considering counseling, explore online therapy options and ask about substance-use experience and coordination with any medical treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Treatment
Can You Get Help Before You Know Whether You Have an Addiction?
Yes. An assessment is a way to understand your concerns and identify appropriate care. You do not need to choose a diagnosis or a specific treatment setting yourself before asking for help. Treatment recommendations should follow an assessment of needs, strengths, and supports.[2]
How Long Does Addiction Treatment Last?
There is no single schedule that fits every person or substance. Care should be chosen for the person and reviewed as needs change. Medication, appointments, and recovery support may continue beyond an initial program. SAMHSA notes that opioid use disorder medication can be used long term. Ask how your provider will decide when to continue or change the plan.[2][15]
Is Taking Medication a Form of Addiction Recovery?
Medication is an evidence-based treatment option for several substance use disorders. For opioid addiction, NIDA recommends starting with medication, usually with counseling. Taking prescribed treatment medication should not be treated as proof that someone is failing at recovery. Discuss the purpose and expected duration with the prescriber.[1][15]
Can Treatment Work if You Have Tried Before?
A previous setback does not mean treatment cannot help. NIDA advises reviewing and adjusting treatment after a return to use. For alcohol problems, NIAAA describes recovery as an ongoing process that may involve setbacks, learning, and getting back into treatment. Bring information about what helped or did not help before.[1][5]
Get Treatment Help
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, getting help is just a phone call away, or consider trying therapy online with BetterHelp.
Exclusive offer: 20% Off BetterHelp*Following links to the BetterHelp website may earn us a commission that helps us manage and maintain AddictionHelp.com. *Get 20% off your first month of BetterHelp. Offer valid for new BetterHelp users only. Offer cannot be combined with insurance.
- Fact-Checked
- Editor
