How Can a 24-Hour Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction Helpline Help?

Misuse of prescription drugs entails taking higher or more frequent doses of prescription medication than prescribed. In some cases, the medication may not have been prescribed to the person misusing them at all but taken, bought or stolen from someone who has had them prescribed for valid medical reasons.1

Misuse can be accidental but it can also be done deliberately for non-medical purposes, as taking excessive amounts of prescription drugs can cause euphoria. Aside from addiction, misuse of prescription drugs can have other grave and even fatal consequences. Some of the most commonly misused prescription medications in the United States include opioid pain medications, sedative-hypnotics, and stimulants.1

Prescription drug abuse is not uncommon among people from all walks of life. In 2020, the number of prescription opioid-related overdose deaths went to 16,416.6.1 It’s also not uncommon for frequent and excessive use of prescription opioids to be a gateway to highly addictive illicit drugs such as heroin and/or lead to an overdose. People have been known to switch from prescription drugs to heroin and other dangerous illicit opioids because they are much easier and much less costly to obtain.1

One of the ways to counteract the terrifying prevalence of prescription drug abuse and addiction is to work on raising awareness and stop the overprescription of opioids which in turn raises the risk of drug diversion.2

For individuals addicted to prescription drugs, the safest way to stop is to seek treatment in a specialized program or facility. However, it can be difficult for someone with addiction to admit they have a problem and seek help. Only a fraction of the millions of Americans who meet the criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD) in some form seek help.2

Free and confidential prescription drug abuse hotline services are available 24 hours a day to family members, friends, and those personally struggling with prescription drug addiction and abuse.3

What Are Prescription Drugs Hotlines?

Prescription and other substance abuse hotlines can help anyone who has developed a prescription drug addiction while ensuring the protection of their privacy and confidentiality. Callers are free to ask questions about and openly discuss prescription drug misuse or addiction. These hotlines can also provide information about alcohol and illicit drugs.3

Since being addicted to prescription drugs can also take a heavy toll on the people around the individual personally battling addiction, anyone is free to dial the number.3

Most addiction hotlines are available 24/7 and anyone is free to make the call to get support and guidance from advisors who are knowledgeable, understanding, and non-judgmental. They can also provide information and educational resources about the signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse and addiction to concerned loved ones.3

Hotline dispatchers can empathize and help treatment-seeking individuals and any concerned parties navigate the journey to recovery comfortably. However, in a potentially life-threatening situation, it’s of critical importance to call 911 immediately.3

Why Call a Prescription Drug Addiction Hotline Number

Taking control of one’s addiction can be a long and difficult journey. Calling a prescription drug abuse hotline, either for oneself or a loved one, can be informative, comforting and reassuring. Callers are free to call and inquire about the help they need in a confidential manner, no strings attached. The person who answers the call can immediately connect the treatment-seeking individual with the necessary information.3

Is Calling a Prescription Drugs Helpline Private and Confidential?

Because of the stigma surrounding drug abuse, treatment-seeking individuals are often concerned about whether their information will be kept confidential. Calls made to a prescription drug helpline are confidential and free and all the information provided during that call are kept confidential.4

What Can I Ask a Prescription Drug Abuse Helpline?

Calling a hotline can be intimidating, especially for someone who is not certain about how they feel about starting treatment, and callers may be unsure if calling a hotline is the right thing to do. Below are some questions callers commonly ask:3

• Will my insurance cover treatment and to what extent?
• What types of treatment does the facility provide?
• How long does treatment for prescription drug abuse take?
• Do I need to do detox before I can enter rehab?

Is It Time to Call a Prescription Drug Hotline?

Any time is the right time to call a hotline, even in the absence of definitive evidence that a person has developed addiction to prescription drugs. Hotline representatives can provide information about prescription drug abuse, connections to resources, addiction treatment programs, drug and alcohol rehab centers and discuss related information.3

What Can I Expect from a Prescription Drug Abuse Hotline? 

When someone calls a drug addiction hotline, a dispatcher may begin asking quick questions to get a better understanding of the situation. They will also want to make sure the caller or a loved one is not in a life-threatening situation. After that comes the listening phase, when the caller is free to talk about their drug abuse history and the challenges they face.3

Depending on who the caller is, the dispatcher may take a slightly different approach, so if a concerned loved one is calling to learn how to help a loved one who may be abusing prescription drugs.3

The addiction hotline may also provide information about:3

• The common signs of prescription drug abuse and addiction
• Potential effects and risks of prescription drug abuse and addiction
• Various treatment options and programs
• Diverse treatment payment and financing options

How Can I Find a Nearby Prescription Drugs Rehab Center?

Hotlines are often affiliated with rehab centers and can direct callers to immediately available treatment centers located in the vicinity. Many helpline callers are looking for local addiction counseling and treatment options.

Are There Any Free-of-Charge Drug Rehab Helpline Resources?

There are many free 24-hour drug addiction helplines available to answer any questions related to drug abuse and support, including but not limited to:3,5

• SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357
• National Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-8255
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: 800-950-NAMI
• Alcohol and Drug Help Line: 1-206-722-3700

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Call a Prescription Drugs Hotline for Someone Else? 

Friends and family members are often concerned about a loved one’s addiction to prescription drugs but aren’t sure whom to turn to help them out. Prescription drug hotlines are available to all concerned parties. Helplines can also provide information about a range of co-occurring issues, such as physical or mental health disorders, and other struggles.3

Where Can People Get Help for Prescription Drug Abuse? 

Prescription drug hotlines can direct the treatment-seeking person or a concerned party to various resources which can help with their specific need. They can also up-to-date information about immediately available resources and appropriate treatment options.3

Are Prescription Drug Helpline Numbers Toll-Free? 

Prescription drug addiction hotlines are free of charge and available to provide private help to treatment-seeking individuals and their friends or family.3

How to Discuss Prescription Drug Abuse with Someone? 

Addiction does not develop overnight, but it can happen quickly, especially when prescription opioids are concerned. For anyone showing signs of drug use or addiction, calling a hotline is the quickest way to find help. Consistent abuse of prescription drugs can be difficult and dangerous to end without professional assistance and medical supervision.3

Prescription drug hotlines are a helpful resource for anyone battling addiction to prescription drugs, but also for concerned loved ones. Treatment-seeking individuals may hesitate to enter treatment, and are often overwhelmed with fear and suspicion. However, helplines can provide them with much-needed assistance and guidance.2

What Do Prescription Drugs Hotline Representatives Offer?

Prescription drug abuse hotlines can recommend a course of treatment based on information provided by the callers. They also provide information about mental health treatment and facilities with the capabilities to treat co-occurring mental health disorders.3

Additionally, prescription drug hotlines can break down the cost of treatment, and provide information about financial assistance opportunities designed to make treatment more affordable, from government-subsidized rehab programs to deferred payment and sliding-scale payment plans many rehab centers offer.4

What Happens After Calling a Prescription Drug Abuse Hotline?

A person addicted to prescription drugs is already in a difficult position and it is of essence that they have a compassionate, understanding listener they can talk to without fear of being judged. Prescription drug hotline representatives fulfill that role.1

Dispatchers can advise treatment-recovering individuals on a safe course of treatment in a specialized facility and point them to their treatment and treatment payment options. Consistent abuse of prescription drugs can lead to psychological and physical dependence and addiction, and one of the safest ways to escape the vicious cycle safely is to seek professional help in a specialized facility.3