More and more people across the USA are struggling from a substance addiction or mental health issue.
Unfortunately, the two are likely to coexist.
Studies have shown that if you suffer from a drug addiction, then you are also more likely to suffer from a mental health issue including depression, anxiety or schizophrenia.
Likewise, those who already suffer from these types of mental health conditions are also more likely to abuse substances, in an attempt to cope with their illness.
If you suffer from both mental health issues and substance use disorders, then you would be considered to have a dual diagnosis. This is treatable and there are a number of treatment options available to you in the USA.
Whilst it’s easy to feel helpless when you suffer from a substance abuse issue or mental health issue, there is a lot of help available to you.
Finding addiction or mental health services across the USA can be easy, if you know the right places to look.
That’s why our team at Rehab 4 Addiction have created this helpful guide on how to get help for your addiction or mental health issue if you live in the USA.
According to SAMHSA, finding the right health care professional or service that is right for you can take some time, which is why it is important to look in all the right places.
If you are looking for a treatment facility in the USA for either yourself or a loved one, then you should follow the below steps [1].
If you are in need of a mental health or substance use disorder referral, then call the SAMHSA National Helpline on 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Firstly, it is incredibly important to ask people for recommendations.
You should start by asking your local doctor for their recommendations on any tried and tested treatment facilities in your area, as they should be able to recommend a number of places that will be right for you.
You should also ask your local help and support groups for their recommendations, as it is always good to ask a number of people.
You should also then do a bit of your own research into the different options you are recommended. If you are unable to do this, then maybe ask a friend or loved one to help you.
Secondly, it is a good idea to reach out to local programmes or support groups in your area.
Your treatment will be the most productive form of recovery, but it is also important that you find local support groups for when you leave your treatment programme, as there might be a chance you could relapse without the right kind of support in place.
When finding a local treatment programme, make sure that they offer the right kind of treatment for your addiction or mental health issue, and make sure that they are covered by your insurance, or at least offer free or low-cost treatment options.
When it comes to finding a treatment facility, you should look around at a few different options in order to find the right fit for you.
If you are considering attending rehab or a treatment facility, then it is always important to check with your healthcare provider that they definitely cover the cost of your treatment.
It is important to do this before you enter the rehab or treatment facility, otherwise you could be left with a hefty bill to pay at the end of your treatment course.
If you would like help with your substance use addiction or are struggling with a mental health issue, then there are a number of different helplines available to you across the USA. Some of these are listed below for you:
988 Lifeline is a suicide and crisis helpline. Their counsellors are on hand to talk you through any mental health struggles, emotional distress or substance use disorders you might be suffering from. Their help is free, confidential and their helplines are available 24/7 [2].
SAMHSA’s offers their free and confidential National Helpline. This is a 365-day-a-year service, offering treatment referrals and helpline information to those suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction [3].
Likewise, SAMHSA also offers a free disaster distress helpline, which is available 24/7 to anyone who is suffering from emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
Not only do they offer free counselling, but they also offer information on how to recognise distress and how that might have an impact on families or loved ones [4].
This is available to anyone who is a veteran, a service member, a member of the National Guard, a member of the Reserves or a family member of any of the above.
They offer 24/7 free and confidential advice and support, and counsellors will also then provide you with ongoing advice, information and resources in order to help you through this difficult time.
As you can see, there are a whole host of helplines available to you if you struggle from drug, alcohol or mental health issues.
It is important to remember that the people on the other end of the phone are there to help you, so it is important to remain open and honest with them about your situation, so that they can offer the best advice that will actually help.
Your conversations will remain confidential, and most helplines are entirely free to call.
If talking to someone about your drug, alcohol or mental health issues or concerns is not for you, then there are a long list of online tools and guides that you can easily access for help, information and advice.
Thankfully, there are many different online tools and guides available to anyone who is suffering from drug, alcohol or mental health issues.
It is important to understand that if your addiction is severe, then you might need to compliment these online tools and guides with a treatment plan, arranged by a rehab or treatment facility and addiction specific doctors and therapists.
For example, below is an example of an online guide from SAMHSA on how to cope with addiction issues. Try to use online guides like the one below for additional help and support during your recovery [5].
If you or someone that you know is suffering from a drug, alcohol or mental health issue, then make sure you reach out for help.
Talking to someone is often the first step when it comes to recovery, and the more you talk about your addiction, then easier recovery will become.
One of the first steps to recovery is admitting that you have an issue in the first place. Start your recovery journey by being honest with yourself and those around you about what your issues are.
It is also important to be kind to yourself during this process.
When we’re suffering from addiction or mental health issues, our self-care often takes a backseat. The same can also be said during recovery.
It is important that you maintain good self hygiene, get enough sleep and eat a healthy and balanced diet, as your body needs all the nutrients it can to recover.
Likewise, looking after your own mental health and wellbeing will become more important than ever.
Make sure that you are expressing your feelings and that you celebrate the small wins. Try to take deep breaths when things get tough and give yourself some things to look forward to.
Connecting with loved ones is also important if you suffer from a drug or alcohol addiction issue. Make sure that you visit your family, friends or loved ones on a regular basis and try to spend time with positive influences.
Lots of people who opt for drug, alcohol or mental health treatment options in the USA will have health insurance which might cover the cost of all, if not most of your treatment.
However, if you do not have health insurance, or if your health insurance simply does not cover the type of treatment that you need, then you might need to pay for your treatment yourself.
However, if this is the case then there are still a number of options available to you which means that you can still access the treatment you need.
Below is a list of the different ways you might be able to access drug, alcohol or mental health treatment if your health insurance does not cover the treatment that you need [6].
Lots of different health care providers across the USA will allow you to pay what you can afford for your addiction or mental health treatment.
The price of your treatment will depend on how much money you make. These are often called a ‘sliding fee scale.’ Often, you have to prove how much money you make with a payslip.
Other health care providers will also offer grants and scholarships to different treatment options. You might be eligible for one, so it is always worth checking.
You will also need to check that they cover the entire cost of your treatment and not just a percentage.
Likewise, if you are in need of treatment for your addiction or mental health issues, then you might be able to take out a payment plan with the rehab facility or hospital.
If you need help paying for your treatment then it is always worth checking to see if they will accept payment via a payment plan.
This means that you will pay a small fee each month over the course of a couple of months, or sometimes years depending on how expensive the treatment is.
Screen 4 Success is an online screening tool that helps people to identify where someone might benefit from certain different types of help or services.
Lots of people use this tool as a way of determining what type of services they need to access.
You can access the Screen 4 Success tool on your phone or through your computer.
You can either fill out the form yourself as a self-screening option, or you can fill out the form for someone else, in order to help them to identify what types of services and help they need.
This will allow individuals to better understand their personal health and well-being issues.
[1] https://findtreatment.gov/
[3] https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
[4] https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/disaster-distress-helpline
[5] https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/how-to-cope
[6] https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/how-to-pay-for-treatment
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
