DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center - Seattle)

Substance Abuse · Washington · Free

Seattle nonprofit providing substance abuse treatment alongside mental health services, case management, and housing for adults experiencing homelessness. Serves chronically homeless dads in King County. Drop-in services available; longer-term program enrollment typically requires outreach referral or self-referral through day center. Intake requires photo ID if available (staff assist with document replacement), Apple Health ID if enrolled, and brief assessment of housing and treatment needs.

Contact & Details

Address: 515 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

Phone: 206-464-1570

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; crisis services 24/7

Visit Website

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 Washington

Washington superior courts handle family matters in each of its 39 counties. The Division of Child Support operates under DSHS. Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Bellevue are the major metros. Northwest Justice Project is the statewide LSC-funded program, with Snohomish County Legal Services, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Volunteer Legal Services, and King County Bar providing local support.

More Substance Abuse in Washington

  • SAMHSA National Helpline — Free, confidential 24/7 helpline for substance use and mental health treatment referrals. English and Spanish; interpreter services availabl
  • Evergreen Treatment Services (Seattle) — Serving Western Washington since 1973 with medication-assisted addiction treatment including methadone and buprenorphine for opioid use diso
  • Pierce County Alliance (Tacoma) — Nonprofit treatment center in Tacoma offering substance use disorder assessment, outpatient counseling, DUI evaluations, and recovery suppor
  • Spokane Addiction Recovery Centers (SPARC) — Outpatient and residential substance abuse treatment in Spokane including DUI evaluations, intensive outpatient programs, and culturally spe
  • Alcoholics Anonymous - Western Washington — Over 3,000 AA meetings across Western Washington providing peer support for anyone seeking help with alcohol addiction. 24-hour hotline conn
  • Narcotics Anonymous - Washington Region — Peer-based recovery support network with hundreds of NA meetings statewide covering all forms of drug addiction. 24-hour helpline connects c

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.