Substance Addiction Hotlines in Mississippi

What Are Addiction Hotlines?

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and continued use despite harmful consequences.¹ Also known as substance use disorder (SUD)—the clinical term for addiction—the disorder is treatable.

Addiction doesn’t discriminate and affects people of all walks of life.² What’s more, addiction doesn’t just affect the person using substances, it impacts their family and other loved ones. That’s because substance use disorders are associated with numerous medical, emotional, spiritual, financial, social, family, and legal issues, which can create a significant burden for affected individuals, their families, and society.³ Thus, those struggling with addiction and their loved ones need to access resources to help them overcome addiction, and alcohol and drug hotlines provide a one of those resources that can function as a first step to getting help.

Drug and alcohol use hotlines are free, confidential resources that provide individuals and their loved ones with information about substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, these helplines are staffed with trained professionals who answer calls and texts and provide referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Most of these helplines do not provide counseling. Instead, they serve as a valuable entry point for those seeking help for addiction.⁴

Free Drug and Alcohol Addiction Hotlines in Mississippi

If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction in Mississippi, there are various drug and alcohol addiction hotlines you can contact to seek help.

While some of these hotlines can provide assistance in times of crisis, it’s important to note that they cannot help in medical emergency situations. If you or a loved one are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, such as a suspected drug or alcohol overdose, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

Hotlines that offer help for substance use and other mental health disorders, include:

• American Addiction Centers’ (AAC) 24/7 helpline. Call (866) 929-7369 if you feel like you or a loved one are lost or unsure of where to turn, suffer from the side effects of addiction or withdrawal and want treatment, or are ready to discuss treatment options with a compassionate and knowledgeable admissions navigator—many of whom are in recovery themselves.
• Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s alcohol and drug services. If you’re a Mississippi resident, call (877) 210-8513 to be connected to a specialist who can provide you with resources for substance use assessments, referrals, and treatment and recovery support services near you.
• National Rehab Hotline Mississippi. Call (866) 210-1303 to speak to a specialist, who can provide information about addiction and mental health, talk about next steps, and provide local resources for treatment and more.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline. State residents can dial or text 988 to be connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), which offers you access to trained crisis counselors, who can help you if you’re experiencing a mental-health crisis, including thoughts of suicide or other distress.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline. Call (800) 662-4357, to connect with an English- or Spanish-speaking specialist, who can help you find local treatment, support groups, and community-based organizations.

Texting Mississippi Addiction Hotlines Instead of Calling

There are various resources available to those in Mississippi who would prefer to text instead of talk. These include:

• AAC’s text line. For those who prefer texting to talking, AAC offers the same experienced, judgement-free help via messaging for those who can’t/don’t want to chat. Simply sign up to begin receiving confidential text support.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline HELP4U text messaging service. Message your zip code to 435748 to receive treatment referrals via text.
• Crisis text line. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with mental health support and crisis intervention.

Are All Mississippi Addiction Helplines Free?

Most Mississippi addiction helplines are toll-free, which means you shouldn’t have to pay anything. However, depending on your phone service carrier, text helplines may incur messaging and data rates. These costs should not deter you from reaching out if you feel like you would benefit from talking to a trained professional about addiction, local treatment facilities, or an recovery support services.

Can You Call a Mississippi Addiction Hotline for a Loved One?

Anyone can call a Mississippi addiction hotline to receive information about addiction treatment and services. While the line should not be used for life-threatening circumstances, it can be a valuable resource for anyone, including a loved one, to gain more information about addiction and get a referral to nearby treatment facilities.

What Happens When You Call an Addiction Hotline?

Every helpline is different. Some addiction hotlines may ask for basic personal information, such as your name and age and the city where you reside. They may also ask you to talk about your substance use or addiction, whether you’re having suicidal thoughts, or if you’re in immediate danger. Beyond that, it’s important to remember that hotlines often cannot provide counseling services, but rather escalate your call and transfer you to more appropriate helplines.

Is the Conversation Confidential?

The conversations that you have on addiction helplines are confidential. If you wish to remain anonymous on the call, you can. The staff is trained to be helpful, not judgmental, and connect you to the resources you need.

How Do You Know If You Should Call a Mississippi Drug or Alcohol Addiction Hotline?

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, calling or texting an addiction hotline can be a good place to start to gather information. While only a healthcare professional can make a formal substance use disorder diagnosis, using the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it can be useful to know the symptoms to help you recognize the problem. Some of these symptoms include:⁵

• Continuing to use drugs or alcohol despite physical or mental health problems that is caused by or exacerbated by substance use.
• Failing to fulfill obligations at school, work, or home.
• Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from substance use.
• Being unable to cut down or stop using drugs or alcohol despite wanting to do so.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when substance use stops or is drastically reduced.

Getting Help for Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Mississippi

Getting treatment can help you break the cycle of addiction. For many, reaching out can be the necessary first step to get on the path to recovery.

If you or a loved one struggle with substance use or addiction in Mississippi, AAC can help. Call to speak to one of our admissions navigators, who can listen to your story, explain your options, answer your questions, verify your insurance, and help you find treatment today at AAC’s Oxford Treatment Center, in Etta Mississippi, Oxford Outpatient Treatment Center in Oxford, Mississippi, or elsewhere.