How to get help for substance use in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (MIRROR INDY) — Substance use affects thousands of Hoosiers and their families. Below you’ll find resources and organizations that can help with recovery. If we missed a resource, please email maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org.
Many of the resources are considered forms of harm reduction, which public health officials credit with saving lives.
In an emergency, call 911 or seek medical attention right away. Look for signs of overdose, including slowed breathing, loss of consciousness, seizures or cardiac arrest. If you believe someone may have overdosed on opioids, use naloxone to reverse the effects.
Hotlines
988
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, a mental health crisis or a substance use crisis, call or text 988 to reach a trained crisis specialist. You do not have to provide your name or personal information to receive care. For Spanish speakers, text AYUDA to 988 or click here.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or a substance use disorder, call 800-662-4357 to receive information about local treatment centers, support groups and community organizations. Click here to access the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website in Spanish.
Indiana 211
Call 211 to get connected to resources in your community, including counseling, crisis intervention, detox services, substance use treatment and education. You can also search on the website for a list of programs in Marion County.
Safe syringe programs
Marion County is authorized to host syringe exchanges to help participants obtain clean needles and reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis. Here are the sites:
Damien Center Harm Reduction Room, 26 N. Arsenal Ave.
Mondays noon to 4 p.m.
Tuesdays 2-6 p.m.
Wednesdays 2-6 p.m.
Thursdays noon to 4 p.m.
Cottage Corner WIC Office, 1434 Shelby St.
Tuesdays 12:30-4:30pm
Thursdays 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Brookside Community Church,1035 N. Olney St.
Fridays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mobile unit in the parking lot
Aspire Indiana Health, 2506 Willowbrook Parkway
Mondays 2-6 p.m.
HealthNet Barrington Health & Dental Center, 3403 E. Raymond St.
Thursdays 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Find naloxone and fentanyl test strips
Overdose Lifeline has a searchable map of places where you can find free naloxone, a lifesaving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, as well as test strips that can detect the presence of fentanyl in other drugs.
The map contains locations for community organizations, vending machines and NaloxBoxes, which are stocked 24/7 with supplies.
You can also get free training online and receive naloxone kits in the mail.
Get connected with treatment
Shatterproof Treatment Atlas is an online resource where you can search for treatment in Indiana, including outpatient, inpatient, residential and hospital programs. You will be asked questions about the type of substance, dependency and symptoms to narrow down the best options.
Recovery hubs
Indiana has a network of recovery hubs that can connect you to community organizations, peer support professionals and other services. Marion County’s regional hub is the Indiana Addictions Issues Coalition, which can be reached at 317-638-3501 and recoveryindiana.org.
Ways to help
- Volunteer to pack naloxone kits with Overdose Lifeline every other Tuesday
- Get trained in harm reduction, including how to use naloxone
- Start a conversation about substance use with a loved one
Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis. Contact her at 317-397-7262 or darian.benson@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @HelloImDarian or on Bluesky @darianbenson.bsky.social.
Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy covers health. Reach her at 317-721-7648 or email maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @mcmolloy7.
