About American Addiction Centers and ProjectKnow.com

ProjectKnow.com is developed and maintained by Recovery Brands, LLC, a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers, Inc. (“AAC”). AAC is a leading provider of both residential and outpatient addiction treatment services. For more information about ProjectKnow.com’s affiliation with AAC, please see below under “How Our Helpline Works.”

ProjectKnow.com Mission Statement

ProjectKnow.com aims to inform parents and family members of those struggling with addiction, as well as addicts and alcoholics themselves, about the options available for treating addiction. With a library of original content, as well as content from our sister site Child.net (launched 1998, now merged here), and a national directory of teen resources, addiction therapists, treatment centers, and sober living providers, we educate in simple language. While ProjectKnow.com is not meant to take the place of advice from medical professionals, who should always be consulted regarding issues of substance abuse or potential behavioral health disorders, we do provide overviews and offer resources that can expedite the process of familiarizing yourself with addiction, drug and alcohol abuse, dependency, treatment and recovery topics and options.

ProjectKnow.com Content and Contributors

The editorial content featured on ProjectKnow.com provides useful information about the disease of addiction, the effects of substance abuse, and the available treatment methods. We enlist professionals from the fields of mental health, addiction medicine, and behavioral sciences to write and review content to check that we are providing the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. Some of ProjectKnow.com’s editorial staff includes:

  • Scot Thomas, MD: University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
  • Dan Wagener, MA: Counseling Psychology, Lewis & Clark College
  • Lauren Brande, MA: Psychology, Boston University

For permission to reproduce ProjectKnow.com content, please contact us here.

How Our Helpline Works

For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, the ProjectKnow.com helpline is a private and convenient solution. We are standing by 24/7 to discuss your treatment options. Our advisors work solely for AAC and will discuss with you whether an AAC facility may be an option for you. To view a full list of AAC residential treatment centers, please visit American Addiction Center Facilities.

If AAC cannot provide a treatment program that meets your needs, we may suggest that you search for treatment options outside of AAC’s network of facilities. Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to entire into treatment. Neither ProjectKnow.com nor AAC receives any commission or other fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor may ultimately choose. You can connect with hundreds of other facilities by browsing our listings, or visit SAMHSA.gov.

How Chat Works

When you use the free chat feature, you will reach an automated assistant representing AAC who will help you navigate your treatment options privately and discreetly. The automated assistant will ask you questions and provide you with basic information to help you start your journey to recovery. If you would like to speak with an AAC representative directly, a phone number is available in the chat window. When you call this phone number, you will reach AAC employees who work solely for AAC and will discuss with you the treatment options available from AAC.

Our chat service is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Neither ProjectKnow.com nor AAC receives any commission or other fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor may ultimately choose.

All chat users are invited to opt in to receive additional communications from AAC. Opting into these communications is entirely voluntary and you may opt out from receiving messages from AAC at any time. Chat users can select their preferred method of contact. Standard messaging and data rates may apply for those who opt in for SMS.

How Self-Service Verification of Benefits Works

By entering your insurance information into our free verification of benefits tool, AAC will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf to determine if your insurance benefits may be accepted by an American Addiction Centers facility. Please note, AAC only provides a quote of benefits and/or authorizations. We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete, and we cannot verify or guarantee coverage and/or eligibility for treatment services rendered at non-AAC treatment centers. Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the member’s contract at time of service.

Your health insurance company will only pay for services that it determines to be “reasonable and necessary.” AAC will make every effort to have all services preauthorized by your health insurance company. If your health insurance company determines that a particular service is not reasonable and necessary, or that a particular service is not covered under your plan, your insurer will deny payment for that service and it will become your responsibility. For more information about the terms and conditions of your individual plan, please contact your health insurance provider.

ProjectKnow.com’s Ethics

ProjectKnow.com commits to high ethical standards, in the interest of being as helpful as possible to those seeking treatment. In doing so, we strive for full transparency, disclosing AAC’s relationship with our website and helpline, as well as denoting ads from editorial content. We take steps to ensure our advertisers are licensed, similar to the criteria used by the federally run Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provider directory at SAMHSA.gov.

On ProjectKnow.com, we believe in treatment for all, and support autonomous, informed decisions on the path to recovery. We provide content that shows all facets of addiction and its treatment, allowing our visitors to choose the treatment path that fit their needs or those of their loved one. ProjectKnow.com visitors can feel confident that we do not broker or sell admissions, nor do we conduct “consultant contracts.” If you encounter any deceptive, unethical, or misleading marketing practices based on calls made to centers or helplines listed on this site, please contact us.

What Treatment Provider is Right for Me or My Loved One?

We believe in autonomy, and support informed decisions, when it comes to choosing an appropriate treatment provider. It can feel easy to get lost in the plethora of information available online; however, online resources like ProjectKnow.com and facility websites as well as the below, can help you tailor your search.

Consider accreditation and licensure when searching for a treatment provider. Facilities that are accredited by the Joint Commission or CARF have voluntarily met quality and safety standards that exceed certain state licensure criteria. State licensure also matters, as it provides parameters on which services can be rendered at that facility.

Determine if the program is a clinical match for your or your loved one’s needs. Search online or ask an admissions representative for in-depth details on the clinical program offered at the facility. Ask for some of the names of the licensed healthcare practitioners who serve patients at the facility. Ask whether the facility tracks the success of its alumni in staying sober and whether it has published any outcome studies.  Note if the admissions staff asks you about your medical history on the phone, and if they offer specific information about the treatment methodologies available. Evidence-based practices are scientific treatment methods that are proven to garner better outcomes. Ask if the facility utilizes an evidence-based treatment model and request additional data and information on how these methods can work for you or your loved one.

Finances are often a barrier to entry for addiction treatment, so it is important to ask about payment options and insurance coverage up front. Contact the facility or your insurance provider to determine if a program is “in-network.”

Find as much information as possible to support or guide your decision. Read staff bios that detail qualifications, skills, and licensure. Search for videos, photos, and reviews to get a full view on what to expect. Ask for details on the intake process, treatment plans, and long-term support to determine if the offerings available match with your needs.

Keep an eye on the warning signs of possible bad actors. Addiction is a chronic disease that requires lifelong management. Promises of a “cure” or an unrealistic success rate can be signs of possible unethical behavior. Some facilities may offer gifts, cash payments, free travel, or aid in securing insurance. These can be undue inducements which are illegal. These behaviors can put you or your loved ones at risk and should be considered suspicious.

HIRE Vets Medallion Program


HIRE Vets Medallion Program


hirevets.gov

The HIRE Vets Medallion Award Program was established by the Department of Labor to recognize an employer’s effort to recruit, employ, and retain veterans. American Addiction Centers has received the 2021 Gold award for a medium-sized employer.


AAC Contact Information

American Addiction Centers (AAC) Office:
Address: 200 Powell Pl Brentwood, TN 37027
Contact us via email | Treatment Providers: How to Get Involved