Free and low-cost treatment
Finding treatment when money is the obstacle
Publicly funded treatment, sliding scales, and financial assistance exist in every state. None of it is guaranteed, most of it has to be asked for, and the asking is usually a phone call rather than an application.
Two calls that do the most work
Call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 and ask them to search for no-cost and sliding-scale programs near you. Then dial 211 for local assistance with transportation, housing, and food, which are often what actually blocks treatment.
Where assistance can come from
Medicaid
Medicaid pays for substance use treatment in every state, and many people who are uninsured qualify without realizing it. Eligibility is based on income and varies by state. Apply through HealthCare.gov or your state Medicaid agency; there is no fee to apply.
HealthCare.gov (opens in a new tab)State substance use agencies
Every state funds and licenses treatment, including programs for people who cannot pay. These agencies often know about funded beds and openings that never appear online.
Find state resources at FindTreatment.gov (opens in a new tab)Federally supported and community health centers
Health centers funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration serve people regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, and many provide behavioral health and medication treatment alongside primary care.
Find a health center (HRSA) (opens in a new tab)Sliding-scale providers
A sliding fee scale sets the price according to your income. Ask every provider you call, including private practices and nonprofit clinics, whether they offer one.
Publicly funded treatment facilities
County and city behavioral health departments operate or contract for treatment, often with no charge for people below an income threshold. These are frequently the fastest route to a no-cost assessment.
Nonprofit and charitable assistance
Some nonprofit treatment organizations fund scholarships or reserve beds. Availability is limited and varies by region, and it is always worth asking about directly.
Hospital financial assistance
Many hospitals, particularly nonprofit ones, have financial assistance policies that can reduce or eliminate bills. They are often underused because people assume they will not qualify.
Veterans' health benefits
If you served, VA offers substance use treatment. You do not need a service-connected disability to receive care for substance use. Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988 and press 1.
VA substance use treatment (opens in a new tab)Tribal health programs and Indian Health Service
Tribal health programs and Indian Health Service facilities provide behavioral health and substance use services. Eligibility and services vary by community and facility.
Indian Health Service (opens in a new tab)Community assistance for basic needs
Transportation, housing, food, and identification are often the real obstacles. Dial 211 or visit 211.org to reach local help; availability varies by area.
211.org (opens in a new tab)
How to start searching without wasting a week
- Pick a realistic radius. Treatment you cannot physically reach is not an option. Start with a distance you could actually travel, then widen it if nothing is available.
- Call the helpline first. Staff at 1-800-662-4357 can filter for programs that take people without payment, which saves calls you would otherwise make blind.
- Call three providers and use the checklist below. Write down who you spoke with and what they said.
- Ask about waitlists early, then ask what you can do while you wait. A medication appointment or an outpatient group is often available sooner than a residential bed.
- Ask the state agency. If the providers you call have nothing, your state substance use agency is the next call, because they know which programs are funded.
We cannot guarantee that funding or a treatment slot will be available when you call. What we can tell you is that these avenues are real, and that most people find something by asking at several places rather than one.
What to ask about cost
Cost questions for any provider
If a provider cannot answer these, ask them who in the area can.
- Do you have a sliding fee scale, and what documents do you need from me?
- Do you receive state or federal funding for uninsured patients?
- Can I apply for financial assistance here, and how long does approval take?
- Do you accept Medicaid, and which managed care plans?
- Is there a payment plan, deposit, or up-front cost?
- What is not included in the quoted cost, such as labs or medication?
- Is there a waitlist, and how long is it typically?
- Can you help with transportation, or is there a bus pass program?
- Are medications for opioid or alcohol use disorder covered?
What publicly funded care can and cannot promise
Publicly funded programs may have eligibility rules, limited capacity, and waiting lists, and some services are only available to residents of a particular county or state. Being uninsured does not automatically mean free treatment. It does mean there are doors worth knocking on.
Explore your options
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Find Treatment on Find Your Recovery (opens in a new tab)Calls are answered by Find Your Recovery, our free treatment matching partner. This is not a crisis line: call 911 for a medical emergency, or call or text 988 for crisis support.
If you have coverage questions rather than cost questions, our article on rehab that accepts Medicaid walks through how to confirm benefits, and how to find addiction treatment covers the whole search process from the beginning.