Free and low-cost resources for help with drug and alcohol addiction

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.  While any time of the year is the right time to get help for yourself or a loved one who is suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has put together a comprehensive website with a multitude of helpful resources.  Read on to find out more about SAMHSA’s resources and other free and low-cost places and organizations that you or a loved one can turn to for support and help regarding recovery.

SAMSHA resources:

• The main SAMHSA National Recovery Month website
• If you need help regarding an addiction, check out this list of SAMHSA hotlines, a treatment center finder, a therapist locator, and more
• Peruse SAMHSA’s list of resources about addiction, treatment, and recovery

Support groups:

• Alcoholics Anonymous–For alcoholics and recovering alcoholics who are seeking support.  Includes a meeting finder to locate AA meetings in your area.
• Al-Anon and Alateen–For those whose lives have been affected by a loved one’s alcoholism.  Learn what to expect at your first meeting, and find meetings in your area.
• Narcotics Anonymous–For those who are addicted to narcotics.  Includes a meeting finder as well as links to recovery literature.

Other helpful information:

• The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence–includes resources for people in recovery, for parents, for youths, and news articles regarding addiction and recovery.
• The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism–includes articles about how alcohol affects your health, how alcohol affects teens, college drinking prevention, and more.
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse–features addiction and recovery resources for young adults, parents, teachers, and medical professionals.  Also offers information on clinical trials.

For more free and low-cost health resources, visit www.HealthcareSurvivalGuide.com.  Also, check with your employer to see if your employee benefits package includes an advocacy service such as Health Advocate (if not, you can check out Health Advocate’s consumer division, Health Proponent).  An advocacy service can help connect you to medical providers, such as primary care physicians or mental health specialists, who can help with addiction-related issues.  Click here to learn about other ways that advocacy can help you.

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Check out our sister blog, run by Health Advocate–it’s packed with handy and helpful tips on good nutrition, safe storage of medications, finding eldercare facilities, and so much more!