Substance Abuse Treatment Hotlines In North Carolina
North Carolina Alcohol and Drug Addiction & Abuse Hotline Numbers
North Carolina’s drug problem is best illustrated by abuse statistics that show that about 11% of adult residents reported past-month use of illicit drugs in 2019, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.1
In circumstances of rampant substance abuse (particularly the opioid crisis) in the U.S., NC hotlines present an indispensable tool for affected individuals. In addition to addiction help, a considerable number of hotlines provide both mental health and drug counseling in NC, since these conditions often go hand in hand. Hotlines can direct callers to mental health facilities in North Carolina, and aside from alcohol and drug crisis lines, there are dedicated depression and mental health hotlines.2,3
According to 2017 reports, 19,822 clients were being treated for both alcohol and drug abuse in NC drug rehabilitation centers and 56.7% of clients were diagnosed with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders.4
What Is the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)’s Helpline?
Individuals seeking help for their or a loved one’s substance use disorder (SUD) can reach out to North Carolina alcohol and drug helplines to get guidance and assistance for alcohol and drug addiction, or prescription drug abuse. The overdose crisis is mainly driven by misuse of prescription painkillers, as well as illicit opioid use (like heroin or fentanyl).5
The DHHS Customer Service Center can direct you to appropriate programs and experts. You can get in touch by calling 1-800-662-7030.6
Their Behavioral Health Urgent Care sites offer immediate help to adults, adolescents, or families in crisis. They provide:7
- Assessment and diagnosis for substance abuse and mental illness.
- Potential treatment planning and referrals to North Carolina drug rehab centers.
- Medication management.
- Outpatient treatment.
- Follow-up care.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis with substance abuse or mental health, you can also get help from their full-time Mobile Crisis teams.7
NC Alcohol and Drug Abuse Statistics
General substance use in North Carolina is highest among young adults (18-25) and is reported to be 13.68%.1 SAMHSA’s 2017 report stated that, among 49,179 clients of NC rehab facilities, 2,329 were adolescents (under the age of 18) struggling with substance abuse issues. In total, there were:4
- 46,460 outpatient clients.
- 2,130 clients in residential care:
- 285 in short-term treatment.
- 1,734 in long-term treatment.
- 111 in detox.
- 589 clients were in hospital inpatient treatment (283 in detox).
Opioid Addiction in North Carolina
According to the 2018-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), illicit drug use in NC is highest among young adults (18-25), around 7.6%.1
Since an estimated 79% of drug overdose deaths involved opioids in 2018, medication-assisted opioid therapy is provided in 166 drug rehabilitation centers in North Carolina.4
The number of deaths from prescription opioids dropped from 659 in 2017 to 489 in 2018. During that same year, North Carolina health providers wrote 61.5 opioid prescriptions for every 100 persons (the U.S. average rate is 51.4). However, deaths involving heroin and synthetic opioid abuse remained stable — 619 and 1,272, respectively.8
Alcohol Abuse Statistics in North Carolina
During 2018 and 2019, North Carolina has shown an increase in total alcohol consumption per capita.9 In fact, 53.33% of adults (18+) reported using alcohol during the past month. The percentage of people that reported binge drinking was 25.71%.1
Among adolescents aged 12-17, the percentage of past-month alcohol use was 9.19%, and 5.23% of them reported binge drinking. Alcohol abuse and addiction percentage was highest in the 18-25 age group and was reported to be 8.69%.1
Important Questions You Should Ask When Calling an NC Substance Abuse Hotline
When you call an alcohol or drug addiction helpline, you can ask anything that’s on your mind. Helpline advisors are trained to guide you through whatever issues you’re experiencing. However, to be able to understand the severity and complexity of your situation and decide what steps you should take next, you might benefit the most from answers to some frequent questions, such as:10
- How can I tell if I need to start rehab immediately?
- What types of addiction services are available in NC?
- What are the best treatment centers for substance abuse near me?
- How long do treatment and recovery from addiction usually take?
- What are the usual costs of drug and alcohol abuse treatment?
- Does health insurance cover drug addiction treatment programs?
- Is it possible to attend a rehab program for free?
Is There Any Way I Can Call an NC Drug Rehab Hotline on Behalf of Someone Else?
You can call a North Carolina substance abuse hotline for anyone you’re worried about. Whether it’s your partner, child, relative, friend, coworker, or acquaintance, if you feel the need to help someone whose substance abuse has started to have significant consequences on their own life or the lives of others, you should get accurate information about substance abuse, and different approaches and treatment options available.11
You can also get information about NC support groups for family members of addicted individuals and learn how to talk to them about getting help. If the situation is truly serious, be sure to get professional help and advice. However, you should refrain from trying to organize an intervention yourself.11
How Can I Tell if I Should Call an NC Addiction Hotline?
If you’re wondering if you should call an NC addiction services hotline, it’s useful to know that you’re not committing to anything by doing it. You can call if you’re experiencing an acute crisis and need to start treatment. You can also reach out if you’re trying to figure out how serious your issues are and whether it’s time to do something about them.12
A helpline advisor will provide you with accurate answers to your questions, give you general information about substance abuse, direct you to other valuable resources, and present you with possible treatment options. This way you can get the kind of help that’s best suited to your needs.12
Are NC Substance Abuse Hotlines Free & Confidential?
NC helplines are completely free and confidential. Any information you decide to share is protected by law and can’t be disclosed to anyone without your permission. You’re not obligated to share anything you’re not comfortable with. However, providing truthful information about your condition will help the hotline advisor to make an accurate assessment.13
What Does a Call to the North Carolina Substance Abuse Treatment Help Hotline Number Look Like?
When you call an NC alcohol and drug addiction hotline, your call will be answered by a trained representative who will listen to your story, answer any questions you might have, and try to evaluate the severity of your addiction based on the information you provide. Whether you decide to share personal information is entirely up to you but having a clear understanding of your particular circumstances will help the advisor guide you through your options and recommend the next steps.14
The usual questions you could be asked include:10
- Is your or someone else’s life in danger?
- Are you experiencing an acute crisis right now?
- What is your location?
- How old are you?
- How long have you been having substance abuse issues and how severe are they?
- Do you feel like you’re also struggling with any mental health difficulties?
- Are you ready to start treatment and feel motivated to commit to the recovery process?
- What substances are you using and how much?
- Could you tell us more about your insurance?
North Carolina Substance Abuse and Addiction Hotline Resources and Phone Numbers
If you or someone you love needs help and guidance toward recovery from alcohol or drug addiction, NC addiction help hotlines are available 24/7 to provide information, resources, and support in times of crisis.
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse will provide accurate information to help you recognize signs of substance abuse and help you find suitable treatment. Start by visiting their Step-by-Step Guides.15
- SAMHSA‘s National Helpline: 800-662-HELP (4357); you can use SAMHSA Treatment Locator to find treatment facilities in your area.
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) offers a Local Management Entity (LME) directory to help you find treatment near you.
- Alcohol/Drug Council of North Carolina‘s 24/7 hotline number is 800-688-4232. You can also text them at 919-908-3196.
- NC 211 is a service that offers free and confidential referrals and information to North Carolina residents.
- The North Carolina Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence is an organization that can direct you to programs offering opioid treatment services across North Carolina.
- North Carolina Pregnancy & Opioid Exposure Project provides information, resources, and assistance to women using opioids during pregnancy and opioid-exposed newborns.16
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 24/7 alcohol addiction help: 704-332-4387.
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 24-hour helpline: 980-200-9349.
- American Addiction Centers: This trusted treatment provider offers valuable information about addiction and treatment, as well as science-backed rehab programs. Their helpline is confidential, free, and available 24/7 .
How Can I Find a Nearby Inpatient Drug Rehabilitation Center in North Carolina?
According to the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS): 2017, there are 794 rehab facilities in North Carolina. They offer various types of addiction recovery programs:4
- 393 of them offer outpatient care
- 76 offer residential (non-hospital) care
- 33 offer hospital inpatient care
To get information about addiction and different treatment options, you can also call an American Addiction Centers helpline and talk to an admissions navigator who will present you with the available choices and recommend some of the highest-rated local rehab centers. They can also explain payment options and insurance benefits and guide you through the initial steps of the intake process. You can also check your insurance coverage by filling out an online form on the website.
Sunrise Treatment Hospital & Oxford Treatment Hospital
American Addiction Centers is a trusted provider of treatment services for substance abuse across the country, such as the recognized facilities of Sunrise Treatment Hospital and Oxford Treatment Hospital.
- Sunrise Treatment Hospital is located in Lafayette, NJ and provides various levels of care tailored to each patient’s needs, starting with monitored medical detoxification and continuing through individualized residential or inpatient treatment. The duration of inpatient treatment depends on each patient’s circumstances and needs. It can be short-term and last for about a month and then continue through outpatient treatment programs and aftercare planning.17
The severity of one’s addiction might require a longer, 60-day stay at the facility. In some cases, an even longer 90-day program might be recommended to allow patients to thoroughly work through their issues. Longer programs and attending therapy sessions increases the chances of achieving lasting sobriety. For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on helping people understand the underlying causes of their addiction so they can adopt new and healthier ways of dealing with issues that lead to substance abuse.17
- Oxford Treatment Hospital is situated in Oxford, MS. It offers a personalized treatment program for each client and a full continuum of care. Its scenic location near a national forest and a private lake allow for outdoor activities that help patients connect to nature.
Aside from the usual group and individual therapy courses, coordinators will create an aftercare plan following the completion of treatment. They can connect you with local AA or other 12-step based support groups. There are 388 (82.2%) facilities in North Carolina that offer transitional services and aftercare planning to ensure lasting recovery by helping with arrangements for transitional or sober living.4
While these centers aren’t located in North Carolina, traveling out of state may be worth exploring if you believe that the available services meet your needs.
Are There Any Additional Specialized Treatment Options?
Some high-quality rehab facilities may provide additional treatment approaches and options, including:
- Gender-specific treatment for women battling addiction.
- Special approaches tailored to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Faith-based treatment options for Christians.
- Variety of luxury treatment amenities that can help patients feel comfortable while in treatment.
- Rehab for couples who want to work through their addiction issues together.
- Private pay rehab options provide the highest level of care, special techniques, and amenities that give their clients the best possible chance of recovery.
If you have private insurance, you can reach out to your provider by calling the number on your health insurance card. Their representative can connect you to providers of addiction treatment in North Carolina within your network and explain what your treatment options are based on your benefits. Alternatively, you can use the resources and North Carolina hotlines listed above to find the best nearby options.
Frequently Asked Questions