NJ Addiction Services Hotline and Help Resources

When someone in New Jersey needs help with addiction — whether for themselves or a family member — knowing which number to call and what to expect from that call can make the difference between getting connected to treatment and getting lost in the system. New Jersey maintains several hotlines and help resources at the state, federal, and county levels, each designed for different situations.

This page provides a comprehensive overview of every major helpline and resource available to NJ residents, what each one does, when to use it, and what to expect when you call.

Key Takeaways

• The NJ Addictions Hotline (1-844-276-2777) provides free, confidential referrals to state-funded treatment programs and is staffed by trained counselors.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) provides treatment referrals nationwide, 24/7, 365 days a year, in English and Spanish.
• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is for immediate mental health crises, including substance-related emergencies.
• NJ 2-1-1 connects callers with a broad range of social services, including treatment referrals, transportation, housing, and insurance enrollment assistance.
• Every NJ county has a designated screening center for mental health and substance use crises, available 24/7.

NJ Addiction Services Hotline

How to Reach the NJ Hotline

NJ Addictions Hotline: 1-844-276-2777

This is the primary state-level resource for addiction treatment referrals in New Jersey. The hotline is operated through the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and is designed to connect callers with treatment programs funded through the state system.

Hours: The hotline operates during business hours with extended availability. For 24/7 crisis support, callers should contact 988 or their county’s designated screening center.

Languages: English and Spanish.

Cost: Free. The call is confidential, and callers are not required to provide insurance information or personal identification to receive referral information.

What Happens When You Call

When you call the NJ Addictions Hotline, here is what to expect:

1. Initial assessment: A trained counselor will ask about the situation — who needs help, what substances are involved, what treatment has been tried previously, and what the caller’s insurance status is.
2. Treatment referral: Based on the assessment, the counselor provides referrals to available treatment programs. These may include detox facilities, residential programs, outpatient clinics, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) providers.
3. Insurance navigation: The counselor can help determine whether the caller is eligible for NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) and provide guidance on accessing state-funded treatment for uninsured individuals.
4. Follow-up: In some cases, the hotline can help coordinate the intake process with a treatment facility.

The hotline is not a crisis intervention service. If someone is in immediate danger (overdose, suicidal behavior, violent crisis), call 911 or 988 first.

Additional Helplines and Crisis Resources

SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) operates a national helpline that provides treatment referrals and information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The service is free, confidential, and available in English and Spanish.

When to call SAMHSA:

• When you need treatment referrals that may include programs outside of New Jersey
• When calling outside of NJ Addictions Hotline hours
• When you need information about specific treatment modalities, insurance options, or national resources
• When you want referrals that include both state-funded and private programs

SAMHSA’s helpline handled over 800,000 calls in recent years, according to the agency’s published data. The service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations across the country.

SAMHSA Treatment Locator: In addition to the phone line, SAMHSA maintains an online treatment locator at findtreatment.gov that allows users to search for treatment programs by location, type of treatment, insurance accepted, and specific services offered.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988 is the national three-digit number for mental health crises, including substance-related emergencies. The 988 Lifeline replaced the previous 10-digit number (1-800-273-8255) and is available 24/7.

When to call 988:

• When someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts or behavior
• When someone is in acute psychiatric crisis
• When a substance use situation involves immediate danger (note: for overdose, call 911 first for medical response)
• When someone needs immediate emotional support during a crisis

988 connects callers with trained crisis counselors who can provide immediate intervention, safety planning, and referrals to local crisis services. NJ residents calling 988 are routed to crisis centers within the state’s behavioral health system.

Important distinction: 988 is for crisis intervention. The NJ Addictions Hotline and SAMHSA are for treatment referrals. If someone is in immediate danger, 988 or 911 is the appropriate call.

NJ 2-1-1 Information Line

2-1-1 is New Jersey’s comprehensive social services information line. It connects callers with a wide range of community resources beyond addiction treatment, making it particularly useful for individuals who need help with multiple issues simultaneously.

NJ 2-1-1 can help with:

• Addiction treatment referrals
• Mental health services
• NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) enrollment assistance
• Transportation to treatment appointments
• Housing and emergency shelter
• Food assistance
• Utility and financial assistance
• Legal services referrals

When to call 2-1-1:

• When you need help with practical barriers to treatment (transportation, housing, insurance)
• When you need to connect with multiple social services at once
• When you are not sure which resource to call first
• When you need county-specific service information

NJ 2-1-1 operates 24/7 and serves as a comprehensive navigator for the state’s social services system.

County-Level Addiction Services in NJ

How to Find Your County’s Services

Every one of New Jersey’s 21 counties has a Human Services department that coordinates behavioral health and addiction services at the local level. County-level services include:

• Treatment referrals: County offices maintain knowledge of locally available treatment programs, including which have current openings and which accept specific insurance types.
• Case management: County behavioral health teams can provide ongoing case management for individuals navigating the treatment system.
• County-funded treatment slots: Some counties have additional funding for treatment beyond the state DMHAS allocation, providing additional capacity for local residents.
• Supportive services: County offices can connect individuals with housing, employment, and other recovery support services.

To find your county’s services, call NJ 2-1-1 and specify your county, or search the NJ Department of Human Services website for county-level contact information.

County Screening Centers and Crisis Teams

Each NJ county operates at least one designated screening center — a specialized facility that provides 24/7 crisis assessment for mental health and substance use emergencies. Screening centers are the entry point for involuntary commitment evaluation (see our guide to involuntary commitment in NJ) and also serve individuals who present voluntarily for crisis assessment.

What screening centers provide:

• Psychiatric and substance use crisis evaluation
• Safety assessment and stabilization
• Referral to appropriate treatment (inpatient, outpatient, residential)
• Connection to follow-up services
• Involuntary commitment screening when criteria are met

Many counties also operate mobile crisis teams that can respond to mental health and substance use emergencies in the community. Mobile crisis teams typically include a clinician and a crisis worker who can assess the situation on-site and determine the appropriate level of intervention.

To reach your county’s screening center or mobile crisis team, call NJ 2-1-1 or 988.

Online Resources and Treatment Locators

SAMHSA Treatment Locator

findtreatment.gov is SAMHSA’s national treatment locator, searchable by location, treatment type, insurance accepted, and specific services. Features include:

• Search by zip code or city/state
• Filter by substance use disorder treatment, mental health services, or both
• Filter by insurance type (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, self-pay)
• Filter by specific services (detox, residential, outpatient, MAT, telehealth)
• Map-based results showing proximity

NJ DMHAS Provider Directory

The NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services maintains a directory of state-licensed treatment providers. This directory is specific to facilities that hold DMHAS licensure, which is required for any substance use disorder treatment program operating in New Jersey.

The DMHAS directory is particularly useful for:

• Verifying that a treatment program is legitimately licensed
• Identifying state-funded programs that serve uninsured individuals
• Finding programs that accept NJ FamilyCare

ReachNJ

ReachNJ is a statewide resource that connects individuals and families with addiction treatment and recovery support services. ReachNJ provides:

• Treatment referrals across all levels of care
• Warm handoffs from crisis services to treatment providers
• Follow-up support to help individuals stay connected to care
• Information about recovery support services and community resources

ReachNJ can be accessed through the NJ Addictions Hotline (1-844-276-2777) and through participating healthcare providers and emergency departments across the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NJ addiction services hotline number? The NJ Addictions Hotline is 1-844-276-2777. It provides free, confidential referrals to treatment programs in New Jersey. For 24/7 crisis support, call 988. For national treatment referrals, call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357.

Is there a 24/7 addiction helpline in NJ? Yes. SAMHSA’s national helpline (1-800-662-4357) operates 24/7 and provides treatment referrals for NJ residents. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is also available 24/7 for crisis intervention. NJ 2-1-1 operates around the clock for social services referrals.

How do I get someone into rehab in NJ? Start by calling the NJ Addictions Hotline at 1-844-276-2777 for treatment referrals. If the person is willing to enter treatment, the hotline can help coordinate intake. If the person refuses treatment, see our guide to involuntary commitment in NJ or our page on getting help for someone who refuses it.

Does NJ have free addiction treatment? Yes. DMHAS-funded treatment programs provide services to uninsured NJ residents who meet eligibility criteria. NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) covers all levels of substance use disorder treatment. Contact the NJ Addictions Hotline or NJ 2-1-1 to find available free or low-cost programs.

What is the difference between 988 and the NJ Addictions Hotline? 988 is for immediate mental health and substance use crises — situations involving danger to self or others. The NJ Addictions Hotline (1-844-276-2777) is for treatment referrals and information. If someone is in immediate danger, call 988 or 911.

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This page is part of our Addiction Treatment Resources in New Jersey guide. For related information, see our pages on involuntary commitment in NJ and NJ-specific treatment programs. For guidance on whether to seek treatment, visit should I go to rehab?. For options without insurance, see rehab without insurance.