National Methadone ClinicsUnderstanding your options
Crisis Help: 988 And Other National Lines
Plain-English information summarised from official sources. Not personal medical advice.
Call (888) 209-0266This number connects to our central helpline, not directly to a listed facility.
Your Safety Comes First
If you or someone else is in danger or has overdosed, call 911 now. For a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 (the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), any time.
This guide is general information from official sources, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or other licensed clinician before you start, stop or change any medication, and do not try to manage withdrawal on your own.
The Short Answer
If you are in a crisis related to methadone or opioid use, it is essential to talk to a doctor or other licensed clinician, call 911 in an emergency, or call or text 988 in a crisis. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24/7 for anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. SAMHSA advises that 988 is a national resource you can use to speak with trained counselors who can help connect you to local care (samhsa-988).
Key Points
- Talk to a doctor or other licensed clinician about any medication, pregnancy, or withdrawal decision related to methadone or any other substance.
- Call 911 immediately in any emergency, such as a suspected overdose or a medical crisis.
- Call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The 988 Lifeline is for anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis (samhsa-988).
- SAMHSA's FindTreatment.gov is a confidential and anonymous resource to help you locate treatment facilities, including those offering methadone, nationwide (findtreatment-gov).
- SAMHSA explains that treatment for substance use disorders, including methadone, is available in various settings, and you can learn about options through official sources (samhsa-treatment-options).
- Your privacy is protected: the HHS notes that records related to substance use disorder treatment are generally kept confidential under federal law (hhs-part2, hhs-hipaa-mental-health).
What Is 988?
988 is the nationwide, three-digit phone number for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, as designated by SAMHSA. It is not a separate app or service, but a direct line to trained crisis counselors who specialize in helping individuals experiencing emotional distress or a substance use crisis. This includes people struggling with opioid use, including methadone-related concerns.
The service is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, every day of the year (samhsa-988).
When to Call 911 Vs. 988
You should call 911 in any emergency that involves an immediate threat to life or safety, such as a suspected fentanyl or opioid overdose, chest pain, severe injury, or if someone is unconscious and not breathing. In contrast, you should call or text 988 when you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis that does not involve a medical emergency requiring immediate medical transport. Examples include feeling overwhelmed by cravings, suicidal thoughts, or needing someone to talk to about your substance use.
A trained crisis counselor can provide support and help you find local resources (samhsa-988).
Finding Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
If you are looking for a methadone clinic or other treatment options for opioid use disorder, SAMHSA's FindTreatment.gov is an official, free resource. This website allows you to search for facilities by location and provides information on what types of services are offered, including medications for opioid use disorder such as methadone, which must be dispensed through certified opioid treatment programs (samhsa-treatment-options, findtreatment-gov). You can also call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for referrals and information.
Always talk to a doctor or licensed clinician about which treatment is right for you (samhsa-treatment-options).
Confidentiality Protections for Treatment
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) explains that federal law, specifically 42 CFR Part 2, provides strong confidentiality protections for records related to substance use disorder treatment, including methadone treatment. This means that information about your treatment cannot be disclosed without your written consent, with certain exceptions such as medical emergencies or mandatory reporting.
Additionally, HIPAA privacy rules apply to mental health and behavioral health records generally, giving you additional protections (hhs-part2, hhs-hipaa-mental-health).
What to Do If You or Someone Else Overdoses
If you suspect an opioid overdose—signs include slow or stopped breathing, blue lips or fingernails, and unresponsiveness—call 911 immediately. If available, administer naloxone (Narcan) if you have been trained to do so and it is legal in your area. Stay with the person until emergency help arrives.
After the immediate crisis, talk to a doctor or licensed clinician about ongoing support, including methadone treatment, which is an evidence-based medication for opioid use disorder (samhsa-treatment-options).
Ongoing Support Through 988
The 988 Lifeline is not only for immediate crises. You can also call or text 988 if you need ongoing emotional support while working toward recovery from opioid use. Counselors can help you develop coping strategies, connect you to local peer support groups, and provide guidance on how to stay safe.
This service is for anyone, regardless of whether they are currently in treatment or considering it (samhsa-988).
Find Crisis Support by State
Browse every state covered by this directory. Counts show facilities reporting the guide topic, once per state. Counts are omitted where topic facts are unavailable. State pages show all listed care unless a topic-specific page is available.
Popular Cities
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Sources
This guide summarises these official sources. Check them for the latest guidance.
View official sources (5)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineSAMHSA
- Treatment Options for Substance Use DisordersSAMHSA
- FindTreatment.govSAMHSA
- Understanding Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient RecordsU.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Information Related to Mental and Behavioral Health, Including Opioid OverdoseU.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Related Guides
Aftercare and Relapse Prevention
Aftercare and Relapse Prevention: a plain-English guide from National Methadone Clinics that summarises official sources, with citations.
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Peer Support and Mutual-Help Groups: a plain-English guide from National Methadone Clinics that summarises official sources, with citations.
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Buprenorphine Treatment Explained
Buprenorphine Treatment Explained: a plain-English guide from National Methadone Clinics that summarises official sources, with citations.
Read guideFrequently Asked Questions
What is 988?
988 is the three-digit phone number for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a free, confidential service available 24/7. It connects you to trained crisis counselors who can help with mental health and substance use crises, including those related to opioid use. It is separate from 911 and is intended for non-emergency situations where you need immediate emotional support or connection to local resources (samhsa-988).
When should I call 988 instead of 911?
You should call 988 when you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis that does not involve a life-threatening medical emergency, such as an overdose. Examples include suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety or depression, or overwhelming cravings related to opioid use. The trained counselors at 988 can provide de-escalation, emotional support, and referrals to treatment (samhsa-988).
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