24/7 Free Alcohol Abuse and Addiction Hotline Numbers

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24-Hour Hotline Numbers & Help for Alcohol Abuse & Addiction

Data shows that 95,000 people in the USA die from the effects of alcohol abuse a year. A total of 7% of adults who drink have developed an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol consumption has dramatically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 60% of people reporting that they drink more alcohol than they did before.1

Even though the statistics are discouraging, there are effective, evidence-based treatment options for people struggling with AUD. In general, one-third of those who receive treatment for alcohol abuse recover after a year and others reduce their alcohol intake substantially and have fewer issues caused by alcohol.2

Many individuals first seek help by calling an alcohol helpline that operates on a 24-hour basis and offers people in need free, confidential assistance and resources. Calling an addiction hotline for alcohol and drug abuse can be a successful start to the recovery process.3

How Does an Alcohol Addiction Hotline Work?

Alcohol abuse and addiction hotlines are phone services that offer information about addiction to alcohol. These helplines are free of charge and available round the clock. They are staffed by knowledgeable representatives who provide support, advice, and accurate information. They will offer understanding and sympathy, answer your questions about AUD, and inform you about available alcohol rehab options.3

What to Ask When Calling a Hotline That Offers Help With AUD?

An alcohol addiction helpline can offer answers to many questions that treatment-seekers and their loved ones may have about AUD, including its signs, effects, and treatment. Some questions that may help you learn useful information include:4

What are the signs of an alcohol use disorder in a loved one?
What are the consequences of having an alcohol use disorder?
How can you prevent alcohol poisoning?
Can I consider myself a social drinker or is my problem more serious?
Can my insurance cover the cost of treatment?
What treatment options are at my disposal?
How long will I have to be in treatment?
Do I need to detox from alcohol first?

How to Tell if You Need to Call an Alcohol Abuse Helpline Number?

You may benefit from calling a 24-hour drug and alcohol helpline if you believe that your or a loved one’s alcohol use has gotten out of control. Some signs of an alcohol problem may be:5

Drinking for longer or in larger quantities than you would like.
Unsuccessfully trying to reduce your alcohol consumption.
Spending large amounts of time drinking or recovering from the effects of alcohol.
Having intense cravings for alcohol that prevent you from handling your responsibilities.
Continuing to drink although it’s causing issues in your private and professional lives.
Being involved in dangerous situations because of alcohol.
Having to consume more alcohol than you used to in order to get the desired effects.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, like tremors, difficulty sleeping, nausea, and rapid heart beat, when you stop drinking.

Are Calls to Alcohol Helplines Confidential & Private?

Many treatment-seekers hesitate to call an alcohol helpline because they worry about being put in a vulnerable and embarrassing position. However, you can feel safe and comfortable about sharing your personal information because alcohol addiction hotlines protect your privacy. You can choose what personal details you share during the conversation and everything you disclose remains confidential and anonymous.3

How to Get Ready to Call an Alcohol Helpline Number?

Feeling apprehensive about calling an alcoholism hotline number is perfectly understandable. You may feel afraid to share your struggles and reveal deeply intimate experiences. However, the representatives who answer the call understand your concerns and deeply care about helping you. The information they provide may prove crucial in your path to sobriety.3

To feel more at ease about contacting a helpline for individuals dealing with alcohol abuse, you can consider the questions you wish to ask beforehand. Knowing what to expect can also help you prepare for the conversation. There are certain questions that the line representative will likely ask you, including:4

Basic personal information, like your age, gender, job, and family.
Information on your health insurance coverage.
Details about your alcohol use, including its frequency, intensity, and effects on your health and well-being.
Questions about your medical and mental health conditions as well as your treatment history.
Particulars of your living situation and support network.

What Free Resources Can an Alcohol Addiction Helpline Provide?

Alcoholism hotlines offer 24-hour support, guidance, and resources on alcohol addiction and treatment options. Some 24/7 hotline numbers that you can call in a crisis and receive necessary help are:

National Helpline run by SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357. This is a toll-free, confidential service operating 24 hours a day and available to both English and Spanish speakers. It can refer treatment-seekers of their family to nearby rehab centers for alcohol and drug addiction, support groups, or treatment communities.6
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence: 1-800-622-2255. This free helpline provides support and information to people struggling with alcohol addiction and their concerned loved ones. It can help you gain a deeper understanding of the condition and find treatment.7
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. This free-of-charge service assists people experiencing a suicidal crisis by offering emotional support, compassion, and mental health resources.8
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 800-950-6264. This hotline operates 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday. It provides free guidance on mental health issues, such as help with locating treatment programs and support groups.9

How to Pick a Treatment Facility for Alcohol Addiction?

Since every patient has unique needs, some people will benefit from a 60-day alcohol and drug rehab, other individuals require a 90-day drug and alcohol treatment, and some need even longer stays at a rehab center. To receive effective, science-based care and a tailored treatment plan that fits your specific needs, it’s important to find a treatment center that has the resources and credentials to administer this type of care.10

When calling a helpline for alcohol abuse, you can inquire about different details that will help you determine which program is right for you, such as:10

How much the program costs
How much of the cost your insurance can cover
Where the rehab center is located
What treatment programs are available
How experienced and qualified their staff is

How Can Patients Find Local Alcohol Rehab Centers?

Having a phone conversation with an alcohol helpline representative is often the first step that people take when they wish to locate a reputable treatment center and join a rehab program for alcohol abuse. An alcohol addiction hotline can offer encouragement, understanding, and information on local rehab centers that may suit the caller.3

American Addiction Centers operates some of the most successful facilities nationwide, where patients receive evidence-based treatment in the care of experienced specialists. It also runs a toll-free 24-hour drug and alcohol helpline where you can learn more about tailored treatment options, like:

Their trained and compassionate admissions team will pick up the phone, explain the options that could be suitable for you, and walk you through their simple admissions process. Their centers are equipped with modern amenities and adhere to strict safety regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic.