I need help but have no insurance — where do I start?

Call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (free, 24/7). They'll connect you to state-funded treatment providers that accept uninsured clients. Every state has a Single State Agency for Substance Use that funds community treatment on sliding-scale fees.

What's MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment)?

MAT combines medications (methadone, buprenorphine/Suboxone, naltrexone/Vivitrol) with counseling to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. It's evidence-based, reduces overdose risk substantially, and is covered by Medicaid and most private insurance. Find providers at findtreatment.gov.

Will going to rehab hurt my custody case?

Voluntarily seeking treatment is almost always viewed favorably by courts — it shows responsibility and commitment to sobriety. Coordinate with your attorney so treatment documentation supports your case. Court-ordered programs through drug courts specifically protect custody rights.

How long is treatment?

Detox: 3–7 days. Residential rehab: 30–90 days typically. Intensive outpatient: 8–12 weeks, 9–15 hours per week. Standard outpatient: months to years. Aftercare and peer support (AA, NA, SMART Recovery) is ongoing and free.

Substance Abuse in Colorado

8 verified resources.

About Substance Abuse for Fathers

Substance abuse treatment in the US is delivered through state-licensed treatment providers, nonprofit recovery programs (AA, NA, SMART Recovery), hospital-based detox, methadone clinics, and sober living houses. SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) provides free, confidential referrals to local treatment 24/7. Most states fund a network of publicly-supported treatment centers that accept uninsured and Medicaid clients; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration maintains a national treatment locator at findtreatment.gov. Fathers dealing with substance issues during custody disputes often need documented treatment compliance — court-ordered programs exist for this specific purpose. Recovery support includes peer recovery specialists, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and drug courts. This directory pulls together the state's single state agency for SUD, treatment finders, mutual aid meetings, and MAT providers.

Substance Abuse in Colorado

Colorado uses 'allocation of parental responsibilities' instead of 'custody' and handles cases in district courts. The Child Support Services division runs enforcement statewide. Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Fort Collins anchor the major metros. Colorado Legal Services (the statewide LSC program), Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, and numerous county self-help centers support fathers statewide.

8 Resources

1. SAMHSA National Helpline — Free

Free, confidential 24/7 treatment referral and information service for substance use and mental health disorders, serving Coloradans along with all U.S. residents at no cost. No appointment or insurance is required to call; operators can refer you to local Colorado detox, residential, and outpatient programs. Have ready your ZIP code, a brief description of the concern, and insurance information if available for the most targeted matches.

1-800-662-4357 · National · 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Arapahoe House (Signal Behavioral Health) — Paid

Major Colorado substance use provider now operating under Signal Behavioral Health Network, offering detox, residential, outpatient, and recovery support across the Denver metro. Serves adults and adolescents with Medicaid, private insurance, and self-pay options. Call the admissions line for screening; bring a photo ID, insurance card, list of current medications, and emergency contact information when arriving for intake or detox assessment.

303-657-3700 · Multiple Denver metro locations · 24/7 admissions · Visit Website

3. Alcoholics Anonymous - Colorado — Free

Colorado AA central office providing meeting directories, a 24-hour answering service, and connections to local AA groups for Coloradans seeking support with alcohol use. Serves anyone with a desire to stop drinking at no cost. There is no formal intake; call or visit the website to find meetings by city or ZIP code, and simply attend an open meeting to introduce yourself when ready at your own pace.

303-322-4440 · Meetings statewide · 24/7 hotline; meetings daily · Visit Website

4. Narcotics Anonymous - Colorado Region — Free

Statewide NA meeting network for Coloradans in recovery from drug addiction, offering in-person and virtual meetings in most Colorado counties. Serves anyone with a desire to stop using at no cost. There is no intake paperwork; call the helpline for meeting information by city, or use the online meeting locator, and attend an open meeting to introduce yourself when comfortable with the group format.

888-687-3232 · Meetings statewide · Helpline hours vary; meetings daily

5. Spanish Peaks Behavioral Health - Substance Abuse (Pueblo) — Paid

Southern Colorado substance use treatment program offering outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient, medication-assisted treatment, and recovery support services. Serves residents of Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las Animas counties on a sliding fee scale, with Medicaid and private insurance accepted. Call to schedule intake; bring a photo ID, insurance card, proof of income, and a list of current medications to your first appointment.

719-545-2746 · 1304 Chinook Ln, Pueblo, CO 81001 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

6. SMART Recovery - Colorado Meetings — Free

Science-based addiction recovery support group using cognitive-behavioral tools as an alternative to 12-step programs, with in-person meetings across Colorado and online options available. Serves anyone working to change addictive behavior at no cost. Find meetings through the online locator by city or ZIP code; attend an open meeting with no registration required, though free account creation unlocks online tools and forums.

Meetings statewide and online · Meeting times vary · Visit Website

7. Celebrate Recovery - Colorado — Free

Faith-based Christian recovery program addressing all types of addictions, hurts, and habits, with groups meeting weekly at Colorado churches statewide. Serves participants of any faith background at no cost. Find a local meeting through the national website's group finder by ZIP code; visitors can attend an open meeting without registration, and some locations offer curriculum workbooks through the host church.

Church locations statewide · Weekly meetings · Visit Website

8. Colorado Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Providers — Paid

Directory of Colorado providers offering medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, including Suboxone, Vivitrol, and methadone clinics, through the federal FindTreatment.gov locator. Serves Coloradans statewide who may pay via insurance, Medicaid, or self-pay depending on the provider. Use the website to search by ZIP code; when calling a provider, ask about intake requirements, insurance acceptance, and wait times.

Search by CO zip code · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

Substance Abuse — Common Questions

I need help but have no insurance — where do I start?: Call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (free, 24/7). They'll connect you to state-funded treatment providers that accept uninsured clients. Every state has a Single State Agency for Substance Use that funds community treatment on sliding-scale fees.
What's MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment)?: MAT combines medications (methadone, buprenorphine/Suboxone, naltrexone/Vivitrol) with counseling to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. It's evidence-based, reduces overdose risk substantially, and is covered by Medicaid and most private insurance. Find providers at findtreatment.gov.
Will going to rehab hurt my custody case?: Voluntarily seeking treatment is almost always viewed favorably by courts — it shows responsibility and commitment to sobriety. Coordinate with your attorney so treatment documentation supports your case. Court-ordered programs through drug courts specifically protect custody rights.
How long is treatment?: Detox: 3–7 days. Residential rehab: 30–90 days typically. Intensive outpatient: 8–12 weeks, 9–15 hours per week. Standard outpatient: months to years. Aftercare and peer support (AA, NA, SMART Recovery) is ongoing and free.