Mental Health Helplines and Resources

If you struggle with substance abuse and anxiety, there is no shame in seeking out resources and helplines. If you need someone to talk to or you’re looking to get connected to a professional treatment program, you can start with any one of these organizations.

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 800-950-NAMI (800-950-6264)
  • Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): 240-485-1001
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): 866-615-6464
  • American Psychological Association: 800-374-2721
  • American Psychiatric Association: 800-357-7924

For BIPOC people (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), there are culturally sensitive organizations that are trained to work with people across language barriers and of differing immigration statuses. The Asian Mental Health Collective serves the Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian demographics. The Black Mental Health Alliance offers a directory of Black psychiatrists and doctors. And the Inclusive Therapists organization specializes in offering services to LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse communities.

References

What Are Anxiety Disorders? (June 2021). American Psychiatric Association.

Prevalence and Co-Occurrence of Substance Use Disorders and Independent Mood and Anxiety Disorders. (2004). JAMA Psychiatry.

Anxiety and Addiction. (2014) Psychology Today.

Social Anxiety Disorder and Alcohol Abuse. Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Alcohol Is a Social Lubricant, Study Confirms. (August 2012). Association for Psychological Science.

Substance Abuse And Panic-Related Anxiety: A Critical Review. (1990). Behaviour Research & Therapy.

Substance Use Disorders and Anxiety: A Treatment Challenge for Social Workers. (September 2017). Social Work in Public Health.

Anxiety Disorders With Comorbid Substance Abuse. (September 2011). Psychiatric Times.

Addiction and the Brain: The Role of Neurotransmitters in the Cause and Treatment of Drug Dependence. (March 2001). Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Serotonin Study Explains Why Some People Are More Prone to Anxiety. (May 2020). Inverse.

Dopamine in Drug Abuse and Addiction: Results From Imaging Studies and Treatment Implications. (April 2004). Molecular Psychiatry.

Noradrenaline in Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Basic and Clinical Studies. (July 2003). International Clinical Psychopharmacology.

Neurotransmitters as Food Supplements: The Effects of GABA on Brain and Behavior. (October 2015). Frontiers in Psychology.

Neurotransmitters, Psychotropic Drugs and Microglia: Clinical Implications for Psychiatry. (2013). Current Medicinal Chemistry.

Pharmacological Strategies for Detoxification. (February 2014). British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Medication Options. (July 2019). Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Serotonin and Mental Disorders: A Concise Review on Molecular Neuroimaging Evidence. (2014). Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience.

The Role of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Preventing Relapse of Major Depressive Disorder. (January 2018). Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder in Patients Being Treated for Alcohol Dependence: Moderating Effects of Alcohol Outcome Expectancies. (Jun-July 2009). Addictive Behaviors.

3 Easy Anxiety Relief Exercises You Can Use Anywhere. (January 2017). University of Michigan Health.

Beyond Worry: How Psychologists Help With Anxiety Disorders. (October 2016). American Psychological Association.

Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy. (2004). Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.

Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy for Anxiety: Recent Developments. (September 2015). Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience.

Self-Care for Anxiety and Depression: A Comparison of Evidence From Cochrane Reviews and Practice to Inform Decision-Making and Priority-Setting. (August 2020). BMC Complementary Medicine & Therapies.

Effects of Exercise and Physical Activity on Anxiety. (April 2013). Frontiers in Psychiatry.

Anxious? Meditation Can Help You ‘Relax Into the Uncertainty’ of the Pandemic. (May 2020). NPR.