Prescription Drug Addiction Hotlines and Text Helpline Number

What Is Prescription Drug Misuse?

Prescription drugs are medications prescribed by a doctor.¹ Commonly misused prescription drugs include depressants, opioids, and stimulants.¹ Depressants are used to treat anxiety or help a person sleep, opioids are used to treat pain, and stimulants are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).¹

People can misuse prescription drugs in several ways, including:¹

• Taking prescription drugs that aren’t theirs.
• Taking prescription drugs in a way other than prescribed (e.g., taking a higher dose than prescribed, taking it more often).
• Taking prescription drugs to get high.
• Mixing prescription drugs with alcohol or other substances.

Unfortunately, there are several negative effects of prescription drug misuse. Misusing depressants can increase clumsiness, disorientation, and fatigue, and cause shallow breathing and slurred speech.¹ Misusing opioids can make you feel constipated, fatigued, or nauseous, and can cause difficulty breathing or overdose at higher volumes of use.¹ Misusing stimulants can make you feel anxious, fearful, or paranoid and can increase your body temperature and heart rate to dangerous levels.¹

What Type of Help Do Prescription Drug Hotlines Provide?

Depending on the group that provides the service, a prescription drug hotline may offer support in several ways. You can expect to receive information on a variety of topics related to prescription drug misuse and other types of substance misuse, including:

• What prescription drug misuse is.
• The signs of misuse.
• The detoxification process.
• Addiction treatment options such as outpatient addiction care and residential addiction treatment.
• Community-based organizations, support groups, and more.
• Insurance and payment options for treatment.

Many questions about substance misuse can be addressed by calling a prescription drug hotline. If you need prescription drug use treatment, a representative may be able to connect you with a treatment center or provide other ways to get help.

What Information Should I Have Ready Before Calling a Prescription Drug Hotline?

If you’re thinking about calling a prescription drug hotline, it is helpful to know what to expect and to have some information readily available. While prescription drug hotlines vary depending on the group providing the service, you can expect to discuss:

• Your personal information including your name, age, and location.
• What prescription drugs you use, how much you typically use, and how frequently.
• If you use other substances (e.g., alcohol, drugs).
• If you have a mental health disorder (e.g., anxiety, depression).
• If you will need detoxification.
• If you have insurance coverage.
• If you’re ready to start treatment, and if so, how soon.

List of Free Prescription Drug Misuse Hotline Numbers

If you’re struggling with prescription drugs or substance use of any kind, the following hotline and helpline numbers are available to provide resources and support.

If you’re experiencing an emergency, please call 911 immediately.

American Addiction Centers (AAC)

• AAC is one of the nation’s leading treatment service providers for substance use. Our admissions navigators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to hear your story, provide information and resources, and help you start the admissions process if you’re ready.

Boys Town National Hotline

• 1-800-448-3000
• Boys Town is a national hotline available 24/7 to youth and their families experiencing mental health or substance use crises.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline

• 1-800-950-6264
• NAMI’s Helpline is available Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST. This national nonprofit organization provides peer support and resource connection.

National Runaway Safeline

• 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929)
• The National Runaway Safeline is available 24/7 for youth experiencing homelessness or runaway youth. They also offer support for concerned adults whose loved ones may be youth in crisis.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• 1-800-273-8255
• The Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers resources and support via phone for people at risk of suicide. It is available 24/7 nationwide and can be accessed by callers of any age.

Poison Control

• 1-800-222-1222
• Poison Control has a hotline that is available for people who may be at risk of poisoning, including prescription drug misuse or addiction.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline

• 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• SAMHSA operates a 24/7 nationwide helpline that is available to any person experiencing mental health crisis or substance misuse.

Can I Text a Prescription Drug Helpline Instead of Calling?

Some groups offer resources and support for prescription drug use via text helplines. A text helpline can be a good option if you’re looking for support but aren’t quite ready to talk to someone on the phone.

You can text “NAMI” to 741741 for confidential and free crisis counseling from The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

You can also sign up for personalized text support from American Addiction Centers (AAC). Text support is 100% free, and there is no obligation to enter treatment. You can opt-out at any time.

Are Prescription Drug Hotlines and Text Helplines Anonymous and Confidential?

Yes, in general, prescription drug hotlines and text helplines are confidential, and you don’t have to disclose any personal information to access information or resources about treatment. Some addiction hotlines may ask you personal questions about your age, location, and drug history to provide the resources and treatment suggestions that are right for you.

If you’re concerned about privacy, you can verify confidentiality with the group providing the service. Many groups have information on anonymity and confidentiality available online, or you can inquire via email or phone.

Should I Consider Treatment?

Seeking treatment is a brave step toward regaining control over your life. Misusing prescription drugs can have negative physical, psychological, and social consequences. Even people who have a mild substance use disorder (SUD) may have trouble controlling their drug use, which is why it is important to understand the signs of SUD.

The following criteria are used by healthcare professionals to assess if a person has SUD:²

1. Consuming prescription drugs in larger amounts or for a longer time than intended.
2. An inability to lessen prescription drug use despite wanting to do so.
3. Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, and recovering from prescription drug use.
4. Craving prescription drugs or experiencing an urge to use prescription drugs.
5. An inability to meet expectations or fulfill obligations (e.g., home, school, or work responsibilities) due to prescription drug
6. Using prescription drugs despite recurring interpersonal and social problems caused or worsened by the effects.
7. Forgoing occupational, recreational, or social activities due to prescription drug
8. Using prescription drugs in situations where it is physically hazardous to do so.
9. Using prescription drugs despite recurring physical and psychological problems caused or worsened by the effects.
10. Developing a tolerance to prescription drugs.
11. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing prescription drug use.

Keep in mind that the best way to find out if you have a problem with prescription drugs is to speak honestly with a healthcare professional.

How to Find Treatment

Are you looking for rehabs near me for prescription drug misuse? The good news is you have several options. It’s important to take your time considering the different types of treatment available to you to ensure you get the best care possible. You can start your search using the American Addiction Centers (AAC) rehab directory and filtering by location. From there, filter your search by accepted payment and services offered. You may find that there isn’t a treatment facility near you. If so, you can consider attending a treatment facility out of state in popular locations like California, Florida, and Texas.

Does Insurance Cover Treatment?

Paying for treatment can feel daunting, but many treatment facilities accept insurance coverage, which can help cover the cost of different programs. Knowing ahead of time what your insurance plan will cover can give you peace of mind so you can focus on what matters: recovery. For more information on what your insurance covers or to verify your insurance:

1. Contact an AAC admissions navigator at if you aren’t ready to call. You can share your story and get the information you need on treatment.
2. Fill out the short form below.