Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Treatment

Yes, completely. Our helpline, insurance verification, and treatment referral services are free to callers. Treatment centers in our network pay a referral fee if a caller chooses to use their services — but this does not influence our recommendations, which are based solely on what is clinically appropriate for each caller.

Yes. All calls are HIPAA-compliant and completely confidential. Your information is never shared with anyone without your explicit written consent. You can even call anonymously — we do not require your name or any identifying information to answer general questions about treatment options.

Our helpline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Every call is answered by a real person — never an automated system. Call anytime at (844) 561-0606.

Absolutely not. Many people call simply to ask questions, understand their options, verify their insurance, or get guidance on how to help a loved one. There is zero obligation to enter treatment. We are here to provide information and support at whatever stage you or your loved one is at.

Yes. We routinely help family members understand treatment options, verify insurance benefits for a loved one, learn about intervention approaches, and identify appropriate programs. We can also provide information about Nar-Anon, Al-Anon, CRAFT, and other family support resources.

For most people, the first step is medical detoxification — supervised withdrawal management in a clinical setting. For opioid and alcohol use disorders, medically supervised detox is particularly important because withdrawal can be medically dangerous. After detox, patients transition to a rehabilitation program (inpatient, PHP, or IOP) to address the behavioral and psychological aspects of addiction.

NIDA recommends a minimum of 90 days of treatment for most people to achieve meaningful, lasting recovery. Shorter stays are associated with higher relapse rates. Some people benefit from 6–12 months of structured treatment followed by ongoing outpatient support and peer community. There is no fixed timeline — the appropriate duration depends on the substance, severity, co-occurring conditions, and the individual's progress.

Detox (detoxification) is the medical management of withdrawal — the physical process of clearing a substance from the body safely. Rehab (rehabilitation) addresses the psychological, behavioral, and social dimensions of addiction through therapy, counseling, peer support, and skill-building. Detox is the first step; rehab is the treatment itself. Completing detox without rehab is associated with very high relapse rates.

MAT uses FDA-approved medications — buprenorphine (Suboxone), methadone, and naltrexone for opioid use disorder; naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram for alcohol use disorder — combined with counseling and behavioral therapies. MAT is the most evidence-based treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders and is strongly endorsed by SAMHSA, NIDA, and ASAM. It dramatically reduces overdose risk, improves treatment retention, and supports long-term recovery.

A dual diagnosis program (also called co-occurring disorders treatment) addresses both addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions — such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or ADHD — simultaneously with an integrated treatment team. Research consistently shows that treating these conditions separately produces worse outcomes than integrated dual diagnosis treatment.

Inpatient (residential) rehab provides 24/7 care in a live-in facility — the highest level of care. Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides 5–6 hours of treatment per day, 5 days per week, with patients returning home or to sober living in the evenings. Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides 3 hours of treatment per day, 3–5 days per week, allowing patients to maintain work and family responsibilities. The appropriate level depends on addiction severity, co-occurring conditions, housing stability, and social support.

Most likely yes. Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover substance use disorder treatment at the same level as medical and surgical care. Coverage varies by plan — the most accurate way to know exactly what's covered is to call our helpline for a free benefits verification.

Yes. Medicaid covers addiction treatment in all 50 states, including medical detox, inpatient rehabilitation, MAT with buprenorphine and methadone, PHP, IOP, and outpatient counseling. In Medicaid expansion states, most low-income adults qualify. If you're unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, call our helpline and we can help you check eligibility.

Options include Medicaid enrollment, SAMHSA block grant-funded free treatment programs, sliding-scale fee programs, state-funded treatment, and nonprofit/faith-based free residential programs. Call our helpline and we will identify every available option for your specific situation and location.

In-network means the treatment center has a contract with your insurance company — you pay lower out-of-pocket costs. Out-of-network means the center does not have that contract — you may pay significantly higher costs or your insurance may not cover the stay at all. Our specialists verify which programs in our network are in-network for your specific plan before making a referral.

Relapse is a common part of the recovery process for many people — it does not mean treatment has failed or that recovery is impossible. If a relapse occurs, the most important thing is to seek help immediately. This is especially critical for opioid use disorder because tolerance drops rapidly during abstinence, and using the same dose as before can now cause a fatal overdose. Call our helpline immediately and we will help get the person back into treatment.

Addiction is classified as a chronic brain disorder by NIDA, SAMHSA, ASAM, and every major medical organization in the United States. Repeated substance use produces lasting changes in brain structure and function — particularly in the reward, motivation, and decision-making systems — that drive compulsive use despite negative consequences. This does not mean personal agency plays no role in recovery, but it does mean that addiction involves genuine neurological changes that make stopping difficult without treatment, support, and time.

Yes. Extensive research demonstrates that evidence-based addiction treatment — particularly MAT for opioid and alcohol use disorders, and behavioral therapies like Contingency Management and CBT for stimulant use disorders — significantly reduces drug use, reduces overdose deaths, improves employment, reduces criminal activity, and improves overall quality of life. Like other chronic conditions, addiction requires ongoing management — but sustained recovery is achievable for most people who receive appropriate treatment and support.