Free resources,
right here in Chicago
Every resource on this page is free or low-cost and available to Chicago and Cook County residents. No insurance required for most. Organized by what you need right now.
IL Helpline: 833-234-6343Illinois Helpline for Opioids & Other Substances
The state's own 24/7 free helpline for finding treatment and recovery services anywhere in Illinois. Can also connect you to medication-on-demand for opioid and alcohol use disorder. Call, text, or chat.
833-234-6343 · text "HELP" to 833234 · helplineil.org988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 any time. Works for mental health crises, substance use crises, or both. Free and confidential. A real person answers no robot.
Call or text 988SAMHSA National Helpline
24/7 free treatment referral service. They'll ask about your location, situation, and insurance (or lack of it) and connect you with local options. No record created.
1-800-662-4357NAMI Chicago Helpline
Trained counselors available Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. Mental health and co-occurring disorder support for individuals and families in the Chicago area.
312-563-04452-1-1 Illinois
Call or text 211 for free, 24/7 referrals to community resources across Illinois food, housing, mental health, substance use, and more. Works in Cook County.
Call or text 211 · 211illinois.orgAbove & Beyond serves anyone unable to pay including people experiencing homelessness
HealthChoice Illinois covers detox, inpatient, IOP, MAT, and outpatient for eligible residents
Thresholds locations across Chicago and Cook County outpatient, housing, crisis, and more
Above & Beyond Family Recovery Center
A Chicago nonprofit that provides addiction treatment completely free of charge to anyone who is homeless or unable to pay. Offers detox, inpatient, and outpatient services. Will not turn anyone away for inability to pay.
773-940-2960 aboveandbeyondcenter.orgThresholds
One of Illinois's largest providers of mental health and substance use treatment with over 100 locations across Chicago and surrounding counties. Offers outpatient, IOP, crisis response, employment, peer support, and housing. Sliding scale and Medicaid accepted. Their "Living Room" is a walk-in crisis drop-in center.
thresholds.orgHealthcare Alternative Systems (HAS)
Multicultural, bilingual (English/Spanish) behavioral health services at 2755 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago. Outpatient addiction treatment, transitional housing, and gender-specific programs for women. Sliding scale fees Medicaid and state insurance accepted.
773-252-3100 has-chicago.orgChestnut Health Systems Chicago
Nonprofit treatment center no client is denied treatment based on inability to pay. Offers supervised detox, outpatient, and IOP services. Treatment occurs in small groups with encouragement to continue in peer support.
chestnut.orgGateway Foundation Chicago
Accredited treatment center offering inpatient, outpatient, and detox for adults 18+. Accepts Medicaid, many insurance plans, and offers sliding-scale fees. Multiple Chicago-area locations.
gatewayfoundation.orgSAMHSA Treatment Locator filter for Chicago
Search by your Chicago zip code and filter by type (detox, inpatient, outpatient), payment method (free, Medicaid, sliding scale), and substance type. The most comprehensive database of licensed providers in Cook County.
findtreatment.govNothing is more effective against the first drink than working with another alcoholic. Chicago AA
Chicago Area Service Office
Oficina Intergrupal de Chicago
Comité de Intergrupos
Find a Meeting By Zip Code
SMART Recovery Chicago Meetings
Science-based, no higher power required. Uses cognitive behavioral techniques to build motivation and coping skills. An alternative to 12-step that welcomes people on MAT (Suboxone, methadone). In-person and online meetings available in the Chicago area.
smartrecovery.org → find meetingsNarcotics Anonymous Chicago Chapters
14 Chicago-based NA chapters with their own meeting schedules, plus virtual options. Modeled after AA but focused on drug use. Note: some NA groups are not accepting of Suboxone or methadone SMART Recovery may be a better fit if you are on MAT.
na.org → meeting searchThe Phoenix Chicago
A sober active community for anyone with at least 48 hours of continuous sobriety. Free fitness classes, yoga, sports, social events, and volunteer opportunities across Chicago. 49+ sober events regularly scheduled in the area no cost to participate.
jointhePhoenix.orgIn The Rooms Virtual Meetings
24/7 online recovery community with virtual meetings for AA, NA, and many other recovery programs. Especially useful if you're not ready for in-person, have mobility issues, or work odd hours.
intherooms.comRecovery Dharma Chicago
Buddhist-inspired recovery using mindfulness and meditation. Three in-person Chicago meetings plus 10–50 virtual meetings per day, including meetings for LGBTQ+ folks and healthcare workers. No prior meditation experience needed.
recoverydharma.org → find a meetingNext Distro Free Naloxone by Mail
Mail-order Narcan (naloxone) delivered to your door. No questions asked. Free in Illinois. You do not need insurance or a prescription. Also distributes fentanyl test strips and harm reduction supplies.
nextdistro.orgStop Overdose Illinois
Illinois's official overdose prevention website written by medical professionals. Provides unbiased information on alcohol and drug misuse, overdose recognition, Narcan use instructions, and facts about commonly used substances.
stopoverdoseil.orgChicago Recovery Alliance (CRA)
A Chicago-based harm reduction organization offering Naloxone distribution, overdose training, safer drug use education, HIV and HCV counseling, and treatment referrals. Note: services reduced as of August 2025 due to funding cuts call before visiting.
anypositivechange.orgThresholds Living Room Walk-In Crisis Center
Chicago's walk-in crisis drop-in center for people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. A safe, supportive alternative to the emergency room. Peer-led, trauma-informed. No appointment needed.
thresholds.org → crisis responseNAMI Chicago Support Groups
Free peer-led support groups for people living with mental health conditions, including those with co-occurring addiction. Also offers family support groups for loved ones. Helpline: 312-563-0445, M–F 9am–5pm.
nami.org → support groupsChicago Connects City of Chicago
The City of Chicago's official resource listing for drug and alcohol treatment programs, mental health services, hotlines, and peer support groups. A good starting point for navigating city-funded services.
chicago.gov → behavioral healthThresholds Supportive Housing
Illinois's largest provider of supported housing, with options across Chicago and surrounding areas. Includes multi-family buildings, scattered-site apartments, and group homes. Clinical support available at varying levels. Most services covered by Medicaid.
thresholds.org → housingTASC Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities
Specializes in helping people navigate addiction treatment alongside legal system involvement including pre-release services for people who are incarcerated and post-release support after they return to the community. Serves Cook County.
tasc.orgSAMHSA Find Sober Living Near Chicago
Use the SAMHSA treatment locator and filter by "halfway house" or "sober living" to find options near your Chicago zip code. Many are low-cost or accept Medicaid.
findtreatment.govOficina Intergrupal de Chicago AA en Español (West Side)
Serves Spanish-speaking AA members on Chicago's West Side Humboldt Park, Logan Square, and surrounding neighborhoods. Call for meeting times and locations near you.
773-489-6438 · 2536 W. North Ave., ChicagoComité de Intergrupos AA en Español (South Side)
Serves Spanish-speaking AA members on the South Side Pilsen, Little Village, Bridgeport, and surrounding communities. Call for meeting times and locations near you.
773-863-0172 · 2814½ W. 59th St., ChicagoHealthcare Alternative Systems (HAS) Servicios Bilingües
Bilingual (English/Spanish) outpatient addiction treatment and social services in Chicago. Sliding scale fees, Medicaid accepted. Gender-specific programs for women. Located at 2755 W. Armitage Ave.
773-252-3100Illinois Helpline disponible en español
The Illinois Helpline has Spanish-language support available. Free, confidential, 24/7. Call or text to be connected with a Spanish-speaking specialist who can help you find treatment in Cook County.
833-234-6343 · texto "AYUDA" al 833234Not sure where to start?
The Start Here guide walks you through your options based on where you are right now.