San Diego County Behavioral Health Services Access and Crisis Line
1-800-479-3339
24 hours, 7 days a week

• Behavioral Health Services Directory
  The attached directory includes county operated and contracted programs that provide both alcohol and drug, and mental health services. They are organized by region, so you can go right to the region that you live in and find a nearby program that fits your needs.

Tips about Getting Treatment Fast
Ask for help. Ask what you need to do to get help.

3 Things You Must Do
ONE: Call the Access Number (1-800-479-3339)
You may have to make several phone calls to find the right treatment program for you. The right place will be:

• Close to home – services are organized throughout San Diego County

• Affordable – all services are based on ability to pay. If you have insurance or other funding it will help. If you’re referred by Probation or parole you may have priority

• Geared for your Gender – if this is important, know that some programs are designed especially for women or men

• Live In or Outpatient – do you need to live-in (residential) or not (non-residential)? Residential programs have the longest waiting lists

• Court Ordered – If you have been ordered to attend a program, such as Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Proposition 36 drug treatment or drug court, it is in your best interest to contact those specific programs in a timely manner.

TWO: Make the Calls
The Access and Crisis Line will give you several phone numbers of programs in your area. Call them and ask for Intake. The intake worker will do a phone screening with you to see if it’s a good match. If it’s not the right match, she/he will give you other numbers to call. Make however many calls it takes to get an appointment for a face-to-face assessment; you should be able to get this appointment within a week.

THREE: Keep Your Appointment
It is your responsibility to follow-through. Those who show that they are serious become priorities. Miss your appointment? You’re off the list. You’re selling yourself – and your desire to get clean. Remember, once you’re on the waiting list, ask if recovery services are available for you in the meantime.

After your intake appointment, you’ll get a confirmation that you will be placed on the waiting list. You’ll have instructions about when to call. Usually you need to call once a week to keep moving up on the list.

Other Things to Think About

GO TO MEETINGS
Immediately go to a nearby community self help/12-step meeting and start getting involved in recovery. There is a meeting every hour somewhere in San Diego County and you will meet recovering people who can offer you support while you’re waiting to get into treatment. Get meeting slips at every meeting you go to – these show the treatment program, as well as show yourself that you are serious.

GET READY
Documents: While you’re waiting, start collecting the various documents you need. Get a TB Test --free at public health clinics. Be sure you have a photo ID, birth certificate and Social Security card. If you don’t have housing, get some proof, such as a letter from the shelter you’re staying at. The Intake worker can help you with directions about these things. If you get ready, the treatment program can quickly get you connected to medical, dental and other services you may need.

FAMILY MEMBERS
• You Can’t Do This For Them. Remember that the treatment program needs to speak with the client.

• You Can Help. You may be able to help your loved one make the call. Sit with them. Review these tips so they know what to expect. Have a phone handy. Give them paper so they can make notes.

Set Limits. Don’t Give Them Money. You’ve likely been through this before, so get some help yourself about how to set limits. Get out to Alanon (http://www.alanonsandiego.org) meetings in your own area.

CONFIDENTIAL AND VOLUNTARY
• All programs respect your confidentiality and privacy.
• Programs are voluntary. You can’t be locked up. It’s your choice to get clean and sober.

AFFORDABLE
What do programs cost? Most programs are community-based agencies that may receive some public funding. There are a few purely-private programs that offer a scholarship bed. Not all programs cost the same; some will expect some payment up front.

Publicly-supported programs charge fees based on ability to pay, program level and may start at $0 and go as high as $80/day for the most expensive programs that include mental health supports.

How long do I stay in a program? Length of the program varies, based on your needs, and may be from 30 days up to 18 months.