Addiction Treatment

Addiction is treatable.

With the appropriate care, people can and do recover from addiction every single day.

America's addiction treatment system is fragmented and confusing. But the research is clear about what really works to treat addiction. Knowing what to look for is critically important as you compare and contrast addiction treatment programs and providers. Use the information below to guide you.

The basics of addiction treatment

From medication to therapy to peer support, here's what to expect and what to look for in the treatment process.

The Principles of Care

These are the core concepts of high-quality treatment. Effective addiction care must reflect all 8 of these principles.

The importance of medications

Using medications to treat substance use disorders prevents overdoses and sustains recovery. Learn how they work.

Resources for a crisis

If you urgently need help right now, know that you’re not alone. Start your search with these trusted resources.

Talk to someone who understands

The Substance and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) runs a national helpline for individuals and families navigating mental health and/or substance use disorders. This helpline operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is free, confidential, and available in English and Spanish. Click here to learn more about the helpline, or call directly: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Find treatment right now

Don’t google it. SAMSHA’s treatment finder tools are the most trustworthy way to search for addiction care. They offer a number of treatment locators tailored to specific needs, including a national directory of providers who prescribe buprenorphine, one of the most effective opioid use disorder treatments.

How Shatterproof is working to transform America’s treatment system

Concrete objectives. Measurable results. Shatterproof is working to save lives by getting more Americans into effective addiction treatment. Here’s what we’re focused on right now.

A commitment from health insurance payers to incentivize high-quality treatment

In late 2017, 16 health insurance payers, representing over 248 million lives, committed to promote and adopt Shatterproof’s Principles of Care. Since then, several more insurers have joined this commitment. Read the press release here.

Shatterproof’s Rating System for Addiction Treatment Programs

We’ve been awarded $5 million in grants to create this groundbreaking new system. It will cut through the confusion and chaos for families in need, while also increasing accountability and transparency among treatment providers and payers. Learn all about the system here.

Driving payer reform to increase access to effective addiction care

Only about 18% of addiction treatment is paid for by private health insurance, and less than 2% of specialty addiction treatment programs offer all three FDA-approved medications for addiction. We’ve partnered with the University of Pennsylvania’s Leonard Davis School of Economics to conduct new research, taking a tactical approach to changing these unacceptable statistics. Learn more about our payer-based strategies.

Educating health care providers to shatter deadly stigma and improve care

Negative perceptions of people with substance use disorders are all too common among health professionals. These attitudes directly contribute to worse care. Right now, we’re researching this issue—with an eye toward solving it. Better provider education will eliminate barriers to quality care, and create more understanding among everyone involved in a patient’s addiction treatment.