Substance Abuse Hotlines & Help
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Help Line
1-800-662-4357
A help line for those struggling with drug addiction or those with friends or family that are struggling with drug addiction.
National Cocaine Hotline
1-800-262-2463
Ecstasy Addiction: 1-800-468-6933
Alcohol Treatment Referral Hotline: 1-800-252-6465 (24 hours)
Alcoholics for Christ: 1-800-441-7877
Marijuana Anonymous: 1-800-766-6779
Nicotine Anonymous: 1-877-879-6422
Suicide & Crisis Hotlines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
A free and confidential hotline for people in distress as well as friends and family of people that may be depressed. The suicide prevention lifeline is one of the most well funded and experiences crisis hotlines. They can even advise professionals on best practices when dealing with people in crisis.
Crisis Text Line
Text Hello to 741741
Some people never make voice calls anymore so it was only logical for a non-profit to create a crisis line for people that prefer to text. The crisis text line offers free support 24/7 for everything from anxiety to suicide. They encourage people that are feeling anxious due to current events or personal events to reach out. Crisis text line also offers services in the UK and are currently expanding to other countries.
Child’s Help National Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453
A hotline dedicated to the prevention of child abuse in the US and Canada. They provide support in over 170 languages 24/7 and have a network of 1000s of referrals for more direct and local support. The Child’s help line makes it clear however that you shouldn’t worry too much about the description – “bottom line we are here to answer the call”.
Youth Line
Text teen2teen to 839863, or call 1-877-968-8491
Provides a safe space for children and teens aged 11-21 where they can talk out issues regardless of the subject matter with a support specialist.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
A resource for victims of domestic violence or friends and family of someone you suspect may be suffering from domestic violence. They offer help in over 200 languages.
National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline
1-855-812-1001
Deaf and hearing impaired individuals are especially susceptible to domestic violence and providing assistance to them presents unique difficulties. Thankfully there is a resource that was designed from the ground up to integrate email and video calls.
National Runaway Safeline
1-800-786-2929 – TEXT 66008
A help line for children and teens that are thinking about running away or those that already have. Also provides support for parents and guardians.
RAINN – (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
1-800-656-4673
RAINN is a unique support line that connects you with local contacts and resources that provide live support and connect you to relevant resources.
Gay & Trans National Help Lines
LGBT National Hotline
1-888-843-4564
Provides information and support to the LGBTQ community. Connects callers with local resources. A safe space that is anonymous and confidential for callers of any age.
M-F 4pm-12m EST
Sat 12n-5pm EST
Email: help@LGBThotline.org
LGBT National Youth Talkline
1-800-246-7743
A hotline specifically for LGBTQ youth.
LGBT Senior Hotline
1-888-234-7243
A hotline specifically for LGBTQ seniors.
Trans Lifeline
1-877-565-8860
Provides crisis support and general information for trans and questioning callers.
Times: 10am-4am EST
The Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
A hotline for LGBTQ kids and teens to reach out for support during a crisis or if they are feeling suicidal.
Other Addiction Hel Lines
General Health Hotlines
National A.I.D.S. Hot Line 1-800-342-2437
National Hepatitis Hot Line 1-800-223-0179
National Sexually Transmitted Disease Hot Line 1-800-227-8922
Additional Assistance Groups
These organizations aren’t considered traditional hot lines because they have wide organizational goals and do not always have dozens of counselors on hand at any given time to immediately offer support to someone in crisis, but they are valuable resources none the less.
- Alcoholics Anonymous 1-800-344-2666
- Food and Drug Administration 1-301-443-1240
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) 1-800-438-6233
- Narcotics Anonymous 1-818-780-3951
- AL-ANON Family Group Headquarters 1-800-356-9996
- National Institute of Drug Abuse, Drug Information & Treatment 1-800-662-4357
- Families Anonymous 1-800-736-9805
- Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) 1-508-481-3568
- Tough Love 1-800-333-1069
- American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345
- Council of Compulsive Gambling 1-800-426-7711
