Council on Chemical Abuse (Berks County SCA)

Substance Abuse · Pennsylvania · Free

Berks County's Single County Authority providing substance abuse assessments, treatment referrals, case management, and prevention services for Reading-area residents. Uninsured or Medicaid-covered fathers in Berks County can contact the Council on Chemical Abuse for a no-cost intake assessment and referral to publicly funded treatment programs including detox, residential, and outpatient options in the Reading area.

Contact & Details

Address: 601 Penn St, Suite 600, Reading, PA 19601

Phone: 610-376-8669

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

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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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Courts of Common Pleas handle family matters in each of its 60 judicial districts. The Pennsylvania Child Support Program operates through county domestic relations sections. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading are the major metros. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Neighborhood Legal Services (Pittsburgh), and MidPenn Legal Services cover most of the state.

More Substance Abuse in Pennsylvania

  • PA Get Help Now Hotline (DDAP) — Pennsylvania's official 24/7 helpline at 1-800-662-HELP connecting callers to drug and alcohol treatment services across the state. Counselo
  • Gaudenzia — One of the largest nonprofit addiction treatment organizations in the nation, operating over 80 programs across Pennsylvania. Provides medic
  • Livengrin Foundation — Bucks County-based nonprofit addiction treatment center providing medically supervised detox, residential rehabilitation, and intensive outp
  • Rehab After Work — Outpatient addiction treatment with multiple Philadelphia-area locations offering evening and weekend programs designed for working adults w
  • SAMHSA Treatment Locator — Federal treatment locator at findtreatment.gov providing free referrals to local substance abuse treatment facilities and community organiza
  • White Deer Run Treatment Network — Network of addiction treatment centers across Pennsylvania providing medical detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, and outp

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.