Finding support for substance use

Do not stop drinking or stop benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan) abruptly without medical support. Alcohol and benzo withdrawal can cause seizures and death. Get medical help first.

Opioid withdrawal is usually not fatal but very uncomfortable, medications make it manageable.

If someone is overdosing, call 911. Oregon's Good Samaritan Law protects you and the person you're calling for. You will not be charged with drug possession for calling for help in an overdose emergency.

1-800-923-4357. 24/7, free, confidential, no insurance required.

They'll ask a few questions to understand where you are and help you figure out what kind of support makes sense. You don't have to know what you want before you call, that's what the helpline is for.

They can connect you with detox, treatment programs, harm reduction services, peer support, and more.

If you're not ready for treatment or waiting to get into a program, harm reduction keeps you alive.

Free naloxone, syringe services, and fentanyl test strips are available across the Portland metro. No questions asked. Call 211 for your nearest naloxone distribution site, or visit any county health department.

You can also get naloxone at most Oregon pharmacies without a prescription. It's free with OHP.

Hooper Detoxification Stabilization Center (Central City Concern): 503-238-2067. 1535 N Williams Ave, Portland.

Walk-ins accepted Monday, Friday, 6:45 to 7:45am. They treat alcohol, opioid, and poly-substance withdrawal. OHP accepted; no one turned away for inability to pay.

Hooper is the most accessible no-barrier detox option in the Portland metro. You don't need a referral. You don't need insurance. Show up in the morning.

If you're dependent on opioids and want medication support, you have same-day and walk-in options:

• CODA Inc. (503-239-8400): walk-in assessments Monday, Thursday, 7 to 11am. Both methadone and buprenorphine.
• Multnomah County Harm Reduction Clinic (503-988-0577): walk-in buprenorphine clinic Thursdays at 12425 NE Glisan St.
• OHSU Bridges to Care: same-day walk-in access for buprenorphine, call the main OHSU line for current hours.

You do not need to have tried and failed at other treatments to access medication. Buprenorphine is evidence-based and effective on its own.

If you have OHP, it covers: detox, residential treatment, intensive outpatient (IOP), standard outpatient, methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, at no cost to you.

If you're uninsured: publicly funded programs through Oregon's Behavioral Health Resource Networks (BHRNs) provide free services regardless of insurance. Call the helpline (1-800-923-4357) and ask about publicly funded treatment in your county.

Apply for OHP at one.oregon.gov if you don't have it, enrollment is open year-round and can be active within days.

Trans people face unique barriers in SUD treatment: misgendering in group settings, housing programs that don't affirm gender identity, and providers without cultural competency. It's okay to ask directly: "Has your program worked with trans clients before? What does that look like?"

Outside In (503-535-3860), SW Portland, explicitly serves trans and queer youth and young adults (16 to 24), with buprenorphine access through their harm reduction services.

Trans Lifeline (1-877-565-8860) can help you find affirming options if you're not getting them at a program you've already contacted.

🏳️‍⚧️ The David Romprey Warmline (1-800-698-2392, 24/7) is peer support staffed by people with lived experience, not a crisis line, but a place to call when you need to talk.