While we prefer to use language that aims to empower and destigmatize as often as possible, we recognize that many individuals and organizations are still in the process of updating their terminology. For that reason, some of those terms appear in the resource lists below and across the website. We will continue to promote and encourage respectful language that aims to reduce stigma when and where we can.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, SAMHSA's (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information. You can also visit https://www.samhsa.gov.


 

NARCAN TRAINING

Watch this short instructional video for information on how and when to use Narcan. Watch the first three minutes of the DOC NYC EXTENDED Q&A (below) for a live training with Anonymous Sister Executive Producer and National Harm Reduction Coalition Board Member, Julie Stampler.


OPIOID USE DISOR

How Opioid Addiction Occurs - Mayo Clinic

Opioid Basics - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


"Very very high doses of opioids can actually produce pain so instead of making pain better, they actually make pain worse. Most chronic, common pain conditions that are currently treated with opioids probably shouldn't be treated with opioids at all other than possibly for three days of an acute attack."

- Dr. Jane Ballantyne, M.D., F.R.C.A., Director of PROP (Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing), Board certified anesthesiologist at UW Medical Center, UW professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and Director of the UW Pain Fellowship


Databases

Treatment Facilities

Live Another Day

Live Another Day believes in equal access to life-saving mental health and substance use resources. This website provides extensive information on the best resources available. “At Live Another Day, we curate non-biased lists of highly rated treatment providers and trusted resources.”

LGBTQ+ Friendly Treatment Locator

Substance abuse and addiction rates in the LGBTQ+ community are higher than in any other sector of society. The good news, however, is that LGBTQ+ resources for addiction and mental health are readily available to help members of this community conquer substance abuse.

Substance use disorder & mental health resources specifically serving the following communities:

BLACK

Resources to Support Black People, Live Another Day

Addiction and Mental Health Resources for the Black Communities, SAFE Project

LATINX

Addiction and Mental Health Resources for LatinX/Hispanic Communities, SAFE Project

40 Resources to Support Latinx & Hispanic People Struggling with SUD/Mental Health, Live Another Day

Latinx College Students

AAPI

Addiction and Mental Health Resources for AAPI Communities, SAFE Project

AAPI LGBTQ+ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Support, Centric Behavioral Health

NATIVE AMERICAN

101 Native American Substance Abuse & Mental Health Resources

LGBTQ+

Addiction and Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ+ Communities, SAFE Project

AAPI LGBTQ+ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Support, Centric Behavioral Health

LGBTQ+, Family & Substance Use, Partnership to End Addiction

25 LGBTQ+ Addiction & Mental Health Support Resources & LGBTQ+ Friendly Treatment Locator

Support Groups & Information

Support for Parents and Families

Guide: Helping a Loved One

Guide: Starting the Conversation

Find Treatment

BALM - BALM is a full service online educational program focused on helping all families be their loved one’s best chance at recovery from Substance Use Disorders and other Use Disorders.

Advocacy Groups

Shatterproof - Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the addiction crisis in the United States.

National Harm Reduction Action Coalition - Nation Harm Reduction Action Coalitions works to uplift the voices and experiences of people who use drugs and bring harm reduction strategies to scale. They work with communities to create, sustain, and expand evidence-based harm reduction programs and policies.

FedUp! - The FED UP! Coalition is a grassroots coalition seeking action from the federal government to bring this public health crisis to an end.

Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP) - PROP works on three major fronts–prescriber education, consumer education, and advocacy–to reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality by promoting cautious and responsible prescribing practices.

Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention - The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention coordinates and develops policies, programs, and partnerships with the many state agencies, organizations, and community coalitions addressing Colorado's opioid epidemic.

Recommended Reading

Articles:

The making of an opioid epidemic - The Guardian, Chris McGreal

Origins of an Epidemic: Purdue Pharma Knew Its Opioids Were Widely Abused - NY Times, Barry Meier

The Family That Built an Empire of Pain - Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker

Books:

American Overdose: The Opioid Tragedy in Three Acts, Chris McGreal

Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America, Beth Macy

Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America’s Opioid Epidemic, 2nd Edition, Barry Meier

Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic, Sam Quinones