Alcohol Hotline: Free, Confidential Help 24/7

An alcohol hotline is a free, confidential phone line you can call any time to talk about your drinking or someone else’s, learn what treatment involves and, if you are ready, start the process. You do not need to be in crisis, and you do not need to have decided anything. This page lists the national alcohol helplines, explains what happens when you call ours, what you will be asked, and how a call can turn into same-day help. If you or someone with you is having a seizure, severe confusion or hallucinations after stopping drinking, call 911.

Talk to a Recovery Advocate now: (888) 718-1401 — free, confidential, 24/7. Or verify your insurance online in minutes.

National Alcohol Hotlines and Helplines

• The Recovery Village admissions line: (888) 718-1401, 24/7, for anyone considering alcohol detox or treatment, including family members calling on someone’s behalf.
• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (HELP), free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information, English and Spanish.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 if you are in emotional distress or having thoughts of suicide.
• Al-Anon Family Groups: 1-888-425-2666 for family members and friends of people who drink.
• Alcoholics Anonymous: local intergroup numbers at aa.org for meeting information and peer support.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 if drinking is tied to violence at home.

What Is an Alcohol Treatment Hotline?

A treatment hotline connects you with a trained person, at our centers a Recovery Advocate, who can answer questions about alcohol withdrawal, detox and rehab, explain what different levels of care involve, check your insurance benefits while you are on the phone and, if you want, arrange an admission. It is different from a crisis line, which focuses on immediate emotional safety, though our team will help with both and connect you to emergency services if needed.

When Should You Call?

• You want to stop drinking and are not sure it is safe to do it on your own (for heavy daily drinkers it often is not; see alcohol withdrawal and detox)
• You have tried to cut back and could not
• Drinking is affecting your health, work, relationships or safety
• You are worried about a family member or friend and do not know what to say or do
• You want to understand what treatment costs and whether your insurance covers it
• You are ready to go to treatment and want to go now

What Happens When You Call The Recovery Village

• You talk to a person, not a menu. A Recovery Advocate answers 24/7.
• They listen first. You can share as much or as little as you want.
• They ask a few questions about drinking history, other substances, health conditions and what you are looking for, so they can recommend the right level of care.
• They verify insurance on the call if you have your card handy, and explain estimated costs and private-pay options.
• If you are ready, they arrange admission, often the same or next day, including travel logistics.
• If you are not ready, that is fine. You can call back any time; nothing is required.

What Questions Will You Be Asked?

• How much and how often do you drink, and when was your last drink?
• Have you had withdrawal symptoms before, such as shaking, sweating or seizures?
• Do you use any other substances, including prescription medications?
• Do you have any medical conditions or take any medications?
• Have you been in treatment before?
• What are you hoping for: information, detox, residential treatment, outpatient care?
• Do you have insurance, and would you like it verified now?

Honest answers, especially about how much you drink and any previous withdrawal, help the team keep you safe. There are no wrong answers and nothing you say will be used to judge you.

Is the Call Confidential?

Yes. Calls are private, and your health information is protected by HIPAA and by federal confidentiality rules for substance use treatment that are stricter than those for general medical care. We do not share your information with employers, family members or anyone else without your consent, except where the law requires it to prevent immediate harm.

Can Treatment Start With the Call?

Yes. If you decide you want detox or treatment, the Advocate will verify benefits, complete a brief clinical screening, recommend a level of care and schedule your admission. Many people are admitted within 24 hours of their first call. If a different program is a better fit for you, we will say so and help you find it.

Calling for Someone Else

Family members and friends make many of the calls we receive. An Advocate can help you understand what your loved one is going through, whether their drinking is at a level where stopping suddenly is dangerous, how to talk with them about treatment, what an intervention involves and what the admission process looks like. See our guides to helping an alcoholic family member or friend and how to stop enabling.

Alcohol Treatment at The Recovery Village

Our centers provide medical alcohol detox with 24-hour nursing, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care, medication for alcohol use disorder and aftercare, with psychiatric care for co-occurring depression, anxiety and trauma. We are in-network with most major insurance plans. Find a center in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland or Massachusetts.

Talk to a Recovery Advocate now: (888) 718-1401 — free, confidential, 24/7. Or verify your insurance online in minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the alcohol hotline free?

Yes. Calling our admissions line and the national helplines listed here is free.

Do I have to be an alcoholic to call?

No. Anyone with questions about their own drinking or someone else’s can call.

Can I call at night or on weekends?

Yes. Our line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What if I am not ready for treatment?

You can call for information only. Nothing is required, and you can call back whenever you want.