Facility Locator-Frequently Asked Questions

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator

These are questions frequently asked by Facility Locator users. If you do not find the questions you have below send us an email with your question.

Questions about Treatment

Where can a person with no money and no insurance get treatment?
What can be done for a family member who needs treatment but refuses to get it or leaves treatment before it is completed?
What facilities accept court-ordered clients?
How can I find a facility that specializes in treating abuse of a particular drug (e.g., cocaine, inhalants, etc.)?
Can you recommend a particular treatment program in my area?

Using the Locator


	•	How can I get a list of all the facilities in my city/State/area that offer a particular service?


	•	I don't want to restrict my search for the right treatment facility to those closest to me. How can the Locator help me find facilities that have the characteristics I want, no matter where they are?

Questions from Facility Operators


	•	The information shown for my facility is incorrect or has changed. How do I get it corrected?


	•	What are the requirements for being included in the Locator?


	•	My facility is not listed. How do I get included in the Locator?

Questions about Treatment

Where can a person with no money and no insurance get treatment?

You can use Detailed Search or List Search and check the boxes for "sliding fee scale" and "payment assistance." Then call the facilities to determine their policy.

You can, contact your "State Substance Abuse Agency". You may also call one of the Referral Helplines operated by SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment:


	•	1-800-662-HELP


	•	1-800-662-9832 (Español)


	•	1-800-228-0427 (TDD)

What can be done for a family member who needs treatment but refuses to get it or leaves treatment before it is completed?


	•	If person is 18 or over, he/she cannot be compelled to get treatment unless it is court-ordered, usually as part of a sentence.

What facilities accept court-ordered clients?


	•	For advice, contact your "State Substance Abuse Agency" or local criminal justice system. You can also call some of the facilities in your area and ask.

How can I find a facility that specializes in treating abuse of a particular drug (e.g., cocaine, inhalants, etc.)?


	•	Most of the facilities listed in the Locator are capable of treating any substance abuse problem. To make certain, you can call a particular facility and ask. Facilities that offer methadone generally have a program for the treatment of heroin addiction.

Can you recommend a particular treatment program in my area?


	•	We are not a treatment referral agency and cannot make specific recommendations or endorsements of individual treatment facilities or types of treatment. All of the facilities listed in the Locator are licensed, certified or otherwise approved for inclusion by their State's substance abuse treatment authority. To make certain that a facility identified by the Locator meets your particular needs, call the facility directly.

Using the Locator

How can I get a list of all the facilities in my city/State/area that offer a particular service?


	•	Quick Search and Detailed Search will show you the facilities closest to you, in groups of ten, starting with the ten closest. List Search will list all of the facilities that meet your search specifications in a city, State, county, zip code, group of States, or group of zip codes or you can search for a facility by name or part of a name.

I don't want to restrict my search for the right treatment facility to those closest to me. How can the Locator help me find facilities that have the characteristics I want, no matter where they are?


	•	We suggest you use the List Search feature. List Search will list all of the facilities that meet your search specifications in a city, State, county, zip code, group of States, or group of zip codes or you can search for a facility by name or part of name.

Questions from Facility Operators

The information shown for my facility is incorrect or has changed. How do I get it corrected?


	•	Send an e-mail (aliciaM@smdi.com) to the Inventory of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (I-SATS). Include:


	•	Incorrect/outdated information


	•	Corrected/updated information


	•	Effective date of the change

What are the requirements for being included in the Locator?


	•	The Locator includes facilities that:


	•	are included on SAMHSA's Substance Abuse Treatment Services (I-SATS); and


	•	are approved by the State Alcohol and Drug Abuse authority as a substance abuse treatment facility; and


	•	have responded to the most recent annual National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (conducted annually beginning in March).

My facility is not listed. How do I get included in the Locator?


	•	You must take several steps to be included in the Locator:


	•	Request a registration form from the Inventory of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (I-SATS) Project Office (aliciaM@smdi.com). Submit the registration form by fax or mail to the address/telephone number on the form.


	•	THE I-SATS Project Office will add your facility to the I-SATS database and provide you with the name, address, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address for the I-SATS representative for your State.


	•	Contact your I-SATS State representative and provide him/her with the information for your facility. The I-SATS State representative will contact the Project Office with the status of your facility's approval.


	•	Respond to the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS) survey, conducted annually beginning in March. You will receive the survey automatically once your facility has been added to the I-SATS database. Your replies to the survey provide the additional information we need to include your facility in the Locator.