Make sure the person is safe first when you find opioid treatment for loved one. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 right away. Administer naloxone if you have it. Keep them with you until help comes. Do not delay calling 911 to search for a program.
First, use FindTreatment.gov or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline if your loved one is safe. These tools connect you to local options. After you find a few names, call the programs directly. Ask if they currently treat opioid use disorder, if they have openings, and how your loved one can begin care.
We run a U.S. treatment directory, but we do not provide treatment. This guide shows how to search for care. It also explains what treatments involve and what to ask providers. You will find info on options without insurance and ways to support someone who is not ready yet.
If You Suspect an Opioid Overdose, Call 911
Opioid overdose can slow or stop breathing and become fatal.[1] If you think someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately. Do not sit and wait for them to come around by themselves.
Here are some signs to watch for:
- The person cannot be woken up.
- Breathing is slow, shallow, or has stopped.
- You hear choking or gurgling sounds.
- Eyes show very small pupils.
- Skin looks pale, blue, or feels cold.[2]
Steps To Take Right Now
- Call 911. Tell the dispatcher you suspect an opioid overdose. Follow their instructions carefully.
- Give naloxone if you have it. Naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, but some people may need more than one dose.[3] Use it according to the package directions. It is a tool to help until paramedics arrive, not a replacement for emergency care.[2]
- Follow dispatcher instructions for breathing support. If the person is not breathing or is not breathing normally, follow the 911 dispatcher’s instructions for rescue breathing or CPR while you wait for responders.
- Stay with the person. Keep checking their breathing while you wait for help.[2]
- Place them on their side. If they are unconscious but breathing, roll them onto their side to keep their airway clear. Stay there until emergency responders take over.[2]
Locating Opioid Treatment for a Loved One
Looking for help for another person can feel tough. Yet a few clear steps can point the way. In 2023, about 5.7 million people in the United States had opioid use disorder.[4]
5.7 million
people in the United States had opioid use disorder in 2023[4]
- Search FindTreatment.gov. This is SAMHSA’s online tool to find treatment services.[5] It is best for browsing a wide list of local options by zip code, type of care, and cost. Enter your loved one’s zip code to see nearby options.
- Call for help. SAMHSA’s National Helpline offers free, confidential referrals 24/7.[6] This is a good first step if you are unsure where to start or need immediate guidance. You can also ask your state or county health agency for local resources; these agencies often handle licensing and can point you to regulated providers in your area.[7]
- Check details directly. Call more than one program. Confirm they treat opioids, have openings, and how to start. Direct calls are essential for verifying current availability and specific program requirements.
Look at several search tools so you do not depend on one site. Our practical guide to finding rehab gives more tips on picking a facility. Zero in on opioid-specific needs to find the right care for your loved one.
Key Opioid Treatment Options To Bring Up
Look into the treatment tools each program uses. Three medications carry FDA approval for opioid use disorder: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.[8] They work in different ways and are not the same.[9] A provider helps pick the right one for your loved one.
| Option | What to ask | How it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Methadone | "Do you offer methadone? What are the visit rules?" | Given at special clinics. Needs a set schedule.[8] |
| Naltrexone | "Do you give naltrexone shots or pills?" | Blocks opioid effects. Must be started only after an appropriate opioid-free period, with timing assessed by a clinician. Read about naltrexone safety and opioid use. |
| Counseling | "What kind of talk therapy do you offer?" | Helps with recovery goals. Should not block meds.[10] |
| Care Setting | "Does outpatient care fit my schedule?" | Matches care to personal needs.[11] See outpatient options for working adults. |
Many people recover with the help of talk therapy. Yet it should not block a person from receiving medication. ASAM notes that getting meds does not need counseling.[10] Ask how the program reviews your loved one’s needs. This helps find the right level of care.[11]
Staying in treatment lowers the risk of overdose and death. Methadone and buprenorphine follow this rule.[12] Aim for a plan that lasts. If your loved one works, ask if outpatient hours fit their job.
Phone Questions for Finding Opioid Treatment for Loved One
Begin with a clear, truthful statement. Say: "I'm calling for someone I care about. Do you treat opioid use, and what would the first step be?" This sets the tone. This helps you reach the key details quickly.
Compare programs using the checklist below. This helps you know what comes next.
Questions for an Opioid Treatment Program
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Every state has its own rules. State agencies license residential treatment providers. Look up your state authority. This makes sure the program follows local standards.
Privacy laws also play a big role. Federal rules guard records showing someone got substance use disorder services.[13] Programs covered by these rules must keep those records private. The person usually has to say yes first. Then the program can share details with family. Ask about this process early on. It helps everyone know what to expect.
Read our guide on verifying rehab directory details to learn more about checking providers.
Loved One Not Ready for Opioid Treatment?
In most cases, you cannot make an adult accept treatment. Some states have limited legal exceptions for involuntary care.[14] Forcing the issue often pushes people away. Instead, stay close and keep the door open. How you support someone with opioid use matters a lot.
Choose a calm moment to have this conversation. Stay away from heated moments. Share what you observe. Skip labels such as “addict.” Hear out their side. Next, suggest one clear path forward. You could offer to make a phone call together.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| "You are ruining this family." | "I am worried about your health." |
| "If you don't stop, I'm leaving." | "What would make you feel safe to talk?" |
| "It's not that bad yet." | "I noticed you missed work twice." |
| "Just say yes and go to rehab." | "Can we look at options together?" |
A formal intervention is not the sole way forward. If your family thinks about one, get help first. Speak with a qualified professional. Unexpected confrontations can damage trust. That makes giving future help more difficult.
Planning an intervention? Use these steps to keep things safe:
- Seek advice from an addiction professional.
- Agree on specific observations and boundaries with other family members.
- Pick a quiet moment to talk.
- Prepare a list of treatment options to present.
- If violence is a risk, steer clear of forcing or confronting the person.
Talk to a clinician about CRAFT. The name means Community Reinforcement and Family Training. CRAFT helps family members get loved ones into treatment.[15] Studies show it can raise the chance of starting care.[15] Coaches teach family members directly.[15] This method works even if the person has not started treatment.[15] It offers tools to push for change. Pressure or blame is not needed.
Dealing With Fights or Home Boundaries
Protecting yourself and others is the top priority. If anyone is in immediate danger, move to a safer place if you can and call 911. Do not confront a person in a manner that could raise the danger of harm.
It is okay to set clear boundaries about what you can safely provide. This could look like telling someone drug use is not allowed in your house or that you will leave if there is violence. Do not mix these limits with threats or trying to make someone get treatment. Limits protect your health, but forcing treatment often drives people away from help.
Contact a local legal aid office or tenant-rights organization before you take action. Do this before changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities. Rules on occupancy rights and notice vary by location. Confirm the right steps with local legal aid or a tenant-rights organization. Ignoring the law can cause legal problems for you. It may also make the situation more dangerous for everyone.
Steps for Contacting Local Legal Aid or Tenant-Rights Groups
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Finding Opioid Treatment for a Loved One Without Insurance
No insurance does not mean you cannot find care. Public and low-cost options are there to help.
- Check Medicaid eligibility. Contact your state Medicaid agency or visit HealthCare.gov. See if your loved one qualifies for coverage.
- Ask about public funding. Call your state behavioral health agency. Also call your county health department. Ask about publicly funded treatment or local grants.
- Inquire about flexible costs. Call treatment programs directly. Ask about income-based fees or payment plans. Ask for referrals if they cannot help.
- Contact an HRSA health center. Reach out to a nearby center. Ask about behavioral health services or referrals. Confirm if they provide specific opioid care, as services vary.[16]
HRSA-funded health centers often use a sliding fee scale.[16] Your income sets the price. This helps more people get care. See our guide on opioid treatment without insurance for cost details.
Care for Yourself and Pick a Safe Move
Caring for someone with an opioid use disorder is exhausting. Support is something you deserve as well. Nar-Anon Family Groups and similar groups give peer support to friends and relatives dealing with another person's drug use.[17] Use the Find a Meeting locator on the Nar-Anon website to locate a meeting close to you. CRAFT is another choice. It is a program built to help worried partners or family members get their loved ones into treatment.[15] Sharing your own stress with a trusted friend, counselor, or doctor can also help you stay steady.
Go through this brief check to select one realistic next step.
What Is Your Next Step?
This self-check is for information only and isn't a diagnosis. It cannot assess or diagnose your loved one. If you see signs of an overdose, call 911 now. If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find opioid treatment near me?
Search FindTreatment.gov to find local programs. You can also call SAMHSA’s National Helpline for referrals. It is an information service, not a treatment provider.[5] Call the programs directly. Ask if they treat opioid use disorder. Check for openings and how to start.
How can I find treatment if my loved one does not have insurance?
Check if your loved one qualifies for Medicaid. In expansion states, many adults may qualify with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level.[18] Ask state or county agencies about public funding. Call programs to ask about income-based fees. Rules vary by state and situation.
Can I make an adult family member go to treatment?
You cannot force an adult into treatment. Offer support and ask about their options. If there is an immediate safety emergency, call emergency services now. Laws on involuntary treatment vary by state.[14] Consult a qualified local professional for legal advice.
Can naloxone hurt someone who has not taken opioids?
No. Naloxone has no effect on a person who has not taken opioids.[19] If you suspect an overdose, call 911. Use naloxone if you have it. Do not wait to figure out what they took. Get help first.
If naloxone works, does my loved one still need emergency help?
Yes. Call 911 even if the person wakes up. Stay with them and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Naloxone can wear off before the opioid does.[20] Symptoms may return. Emergency care is still needed.
