How do I find a drug/alcohol counselor?

Okay, so you’re at the point where you’ve decided that you want a drug/alcohol counselor. Now what? How and where do we find a drug/alcohol counselor? It was overwhelming just making this decision. And it can be very frustrating not knowing where to go from here.

If we do not know where to go or who to turn to, then we may just say forget it and go back to using substances or alcohol. There’s likely a tug of war in our heads if we are unsure that we want to stop using substances or alcohol. We may be thinking that we just want to talk with someone. It can be hard to get our foot in the door. It can be very upsetting to be told “no” or that there is a long waiting list after deciding to get help.

There will be some people who never make it through the doors to get help, and others will die before they can. But we don’t have to be one of those people. There’s hope. We can fight to make it through. We have to want recovery so badly that we keep fighting for it no matter what. Do not give up!

Where do I find a counselor?

If we are looking for a substance or alcohol counselor, we can start by searching online. Many counselors offer in-person and virtual sessions. To find one, you can visit Psychology Today’s Therapist Finder. We can google online mental health and many options will come up. There are sites such as findhelp.org or findtreatment.gov/locator.

• Use health insurance. If you have health insurance, they may cover some of the cost of counseling. This depends on the type of plan you have. You can learn more about your benefits by calling them or logging in to your account and checking if you have behavioral health benefits. If so, you can look for counselors through the directory and reach out.
• Try an app. If you’re looking for virtual options, you can try a recovery app on your phone. Apps like Affect and Reframe have online groups and counseling. Virtual options can be great if you don’t have access to transportation.
• Ask someone in recovery. If you know someone who has recently become free from substances or sober—even if you only know them through social media—reaching out may be worth a shot. If they are strong in their recovery and announce it online, they might be glad to help.
• Try a local organization or resource. Another resource is 211, a free information and referral line you can call anytime from any phone. The person on the line can help you find places to go. We can find a counselor at a local recovery center.  You can get counseling at a nearby mental health center.  Organizations that have local chapters like Mental Health of America or NAMI- National Alliance for Mental Illness, are helpful places to get information and resources.
• Rehab may be an option. If you decide that going to a rehabilitation center is best for you, then they should have wraparound services they will offer when we are leaving the facility. A counselor at the rehab will discuss what you might need before you leave the facility.

You can also go to your local ER or hospital and ask for services. Emergency rooms and mental health facilities often have healthcare navigators there to help fill out papers and help deal with insurance so you can receive services. Insurance can be an excessively big hurdle to overcome when receiving services. Connecting with a patient advocate can help.

SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, has a national hotline for treatment referrals. It is open 24/7, 365 days a year. You can call any time for mental health or substance use resources. It is free and confidential.  English and Spanish-speaking referral specialists are available. That number is 1-800-662-HELP (4357). To reach SAMHSA, you can also text your zip code to SMS: 435748 or go to FindTreatment.gov.

It can be very frustrating to keep looking for help when it is needed. But do not give up if a “no” is heard first or if there is a long waiting list. Just keep going! There is hope! And it will be worth it!