Addiction Treatment Resources | Addiction Help Today

Having access to reliable information can be useful for everyone who’s on their road to recovery from substance abuse. Addiction treatment resources provide useful information to people seeking treatment options and support. The families and friends of people struggling with addiction can also use them to discover the basic facts about substance abuse and learn how to help.

What Are the Different Types of Addiction Treatment Resources?

There are many different sources of correct and useful information on substance abuse. You can seek information and assistance from:

National organizations that specialize in the research and treatment of addiction
Foundations that aim to help people through substance abuse recovery
Blogs, book, and publications
Scientific studies
Support groups
Online forums
Helplines
Apps

What National Organizations Provide Addiction Treatment Resources?

For people interested in recovery from substance abuse and outpatient and inpatient treatment options, accurate information can be found at:

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): This federal institute, which operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, conducts drug abuse and addiction research.1 Their scientific studies delve into the key matters concerning addiction, such as understanding the effects of substance abuse on the body and mind, creating novel addiction treatment methods, and working on the prevention of drug abuse.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Mental illness often accompanies substance abuse. NIMH is a leading federal agency for mental health research. It aims to achieve better understanding of mental illness, including substance use disorder, and works toward healing and prevention.²
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): The goal of this organization is to decrease the detrimental effects of mental illness and substance abuse across the U.S.³ It offers the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator, which helps people find treatment facilities in the U.S. or U.S. Territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health issues.⁴ This tool provides easier access to addiction treatment facilities.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): NIAAA works to contribute to the body of knowledge on the impact of alcohol abuse on health and well-being.⁵ Its mission is to spread and implement scientific findings to help diagnose, treat, and prevent problems caused by alcohol.

addiction treatment resources

What Support Groups Offer Substance Abuse Resources?

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, you can contact an established addiction treatment support group for useful resources and guidance:

Alcoholics Anonymous: AA is a global network of people who are recovering from alcohol abuse. Founded in 1935, it is an important part of the history of substance abuse treatment. It is open to everyone who wishes to address their drinking problem, regardless of age, education, race, or politics.6 Recovery is achieved through treatment options such as group therapy and the 12-step program. You can find a meeting near you easily because AA operates worldwide..
Narcotics Anonymous: Inspired by the success of Alcoholics Anonymous, NA is an international fellowship of people who are working on overcoming their substance abuse.⁷ It also makes use of group therapy and the 12-step approach.
Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS): While spirituality is the basis for 12-step programs, SOS takes a secular approach to dealing with addictive behaviors and achieving sobriety.⁸ It focuses on rational decision-making instead of finding strength in religion or spirituality.
SMART Recovery: Self-Management and Recovery Training is a worldwide community of people who want to resolve problems with any addiction. They use a four-point program and apply scientifically validated methods designed to empower people to change and to develop a more positive lifestyle.⁹
Women for Sobriety: This is an organization with the purpose of helping women who suffer from drug or alcohol abuse find a path to sobriety.10 It is the first support group exclusively geared toward women seeking addiction treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several helplines that you can reach out to for assistance in a crisis as well as treatment guidance and resources.
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline- 1-800-662-HELP (4357): This service is free of charge and operates around the clock. It provides people with dependable information on mental and/or substance abuse disorders in both English and Spanish.11 Callers can get referrals to treatment facilities, support groups, and other relevant organizations.
- SAMHSA’s Drug-Free Workplace Helpline – 1-800-WORKPLACE (967-5752): It offers the latest, useful, and confidential advice on Drug-Free Workplace Programs and drug testing.¹² It is meant to give employees and their families crucial information on drug abuse and testing in the workplace and in their private lives. It is free and available Monday to Friday.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255: This helpline helps people cope during times of grave distress and emotional crises.¹³ The service is free, absolutely confidential, and operates 24/7 year-round.

There is a number of substance abuse-related foundations that provide relevant addiction treatment resources, for instance:
- American Society of Addiction Medicine: This society of medical professionals is committed to enhancing the quality of addiction treatment.¹⁴ It promotes research, informs doctors and the general public of scientific findings, and guides medical professionals working with patients suffering from addiction.
- National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS): NOFAS is an international non-profit organization that is the leading source of information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. It educates the public and health professionals on the harmful effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and aims for their prevention.¹⁵
- Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA): CADCA brings togetherschools, law enforcement, youth, parents, healthcare, media and others to form coalitions that promote healthy and drug-free communities.¹⁶
- Faces and Voices of Recovery: This organization has formed a network of over 24 million Americans in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Their goal is to advocate for and educate about addiction treatment and prevention as well as fight the stigma that’s often attached to addiction.¹⁷

You can read a multitude of scientific publications to gain insight into addiction-related topics, for example:
- Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. This publication lays out scientific findings on addiction, including drug misuse prevention, the effects on drugs on the brain, and treatment and recovery options.¹⁸
- DrugFacts: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction. This fact sheet outlines efficient treatment approaches for addiction.¹⁹
- Research Report Series: Therapeutic Community. This report contains data on long-term residential treatment for substance use disorders.²⁰

Addiction doesn’t only affect the afflicted person. It also has a profound impact on their loved ones. If you’re a relative of someone who is dealing with addiction, you may wish to seek assistance and treatment resources from a family support group. These groups often mirror recovery programs and frequently use the 12-step method. Al-Anon Family Groups offer help and encouragement to the families and friends of people who struggle with alcohol.²¹ Anyone who is concerned about someone who struggles with alcohol abuse can attend a meeting. Similarly, Nar-Anon Family Groups work with the families of recovering drug users.²²

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). About NIDA: Frequently Asked Questions.

2. National Institute of Mental Health. About NIMH.

3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). About Us.

4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.

5. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Mission statement.

6. Alcoholics Anonymous. (2020). What is A.A.?

7. Narcotics Anonymous. Information About NA.

8. Secular Organizations for Sobriety. (2016). About Us.

9. SMART Recovery. (2020). About SMART Recovery.

10. Women for Sobriety. Mission Statement.

11. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). SAMHSA’s National Helpline

12. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Drug-Free Workplace Helpline.

13. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Home Page.

14. American Society of Addiction Medicine.About Us.

15. National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Expectant Mothers.

16. Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America.About Us.

17. Faces and Voices of Recovery. Public Policy.

18. U.S. Department OF Health and Human Services. (2020). Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. Publication No. 20-DA-5605.

19. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). DrugFacts: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction

20. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2015). Research Report Series: Therapeutic Community. NIH Publication No. 15-4877.

21. Al-Anon Family Groups. Frequently Asked Questions

22. Nar-Anon Family Groups. (2020). What’s Nar-Anon?