For people seeking drug and alcohol treatment in the state of West Virginia, the costs involved can be an obstacle. However, there are options for free substance abuse resources in West Virginia. Sources of funding for these resources and programs include federally funded health insurance, such as Medicaid and Medicare, as well as grants from local, state, nonprofit, and private entities. You’ll find examples of programs offered by nonprofit organizations, government agencies, law enforcement initiatives, and other sources listed on this page.
Drug Statistics in West Virginia
Addiction Nonprofits in West Virginia
HELP4WV
This program provides access to 24/7 call, chat, and text lines to connect people with immediate help for addiction or mental health issues. Many helpline personnel are peer-support recovery specialists or recovery coaches who have personal experience in recovering from a mental health or substance abuse issue themselves.
Community Connections
Serving southern West Virginia, this nonprofit organization works to increase awareness about drug abuse and prevention, provide intervention, and help individuals who need assistance with a substance abuse problem in locating an appropriate treatment program.
Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC)
The Salvation Army’s Rehabilitation Centers in West Virginia offer adult men 6-12 months of faith-based drug and alcohol rehab treatment. They provide housing, food, and spiritual counseling, as well as work therapy, anger management treatment, life skills training, and 12-Step meetings.
Harm Reduction Programs
Save a Life Day
This annual event, held in September–National Recovery Month–encourages the distribution of naloxone. During the September 2023 event, more than 45,000 doses of naloxone were distributed throughout West Virginia and the Appalachian region. Event sponsors include the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute and the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (Charleston).
Naloxone In Public Schools Initiative
Created and distributed by the West Virginia Department of Human Resources and the WV Office of Drug Control Policy, this policy guide for school nurses offers information and resources for school nurses regarding recognizing and intervening in potential cases of opioid overdoses.
West Virginia Health Right
This organization provides medically underserved, uninsured, and underinsured adults free healthcare services. Harm prevention services include screenings for HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted diseases. They also offer medication (PrEP) for HIV patients that helps them stay HIV-negative.
Government Grants & Resources
Jobs and Hope Program
This program, initiated by the WV State Legislature, offers support to recovery-oriented agencies throughout the state to help people acquire career training and eliminate barriers to social services. The program assists individuals in finding recovery treatment providers, offers help with transportation or child-care needs, and helps people find certification or training opportunities.
West Virginia Alliance for Recovery Residences (WVARR)
This state agency supports the recovery residency community. They offer training, advocacy, and data-collection services. Since 2020, all WV recovery residences have been required to receive certification from WVARR, which assures that the residencies meet certain quality standards.
Back to Life
This government program provides a website (www.back to lifewv.org) that shares information on how to find the closest treatment center near you in West Virginia, and how to access free transportation to the center. It provides links to web, text, or chat options, and offers addiction resources for families as well.
College Addiction Resources
Healthy Minds University
This program, associated with the West Virginia University (WVU) Collegiate Recovery Program, provides outpatient psychiatric treatment for students at WVU, and long-term care, if needed, at the Carruth Center for Psychological Services on the Evansdale Campus.
WVU Student Assistance Program
This program offers students at West Virginia University treatment for alcohol and drug issues. Services include assessment, individual and group counseling, and addiction education. Certified SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) staff provide the evaluation and assessment.
West Virginia Peers
The WV Peers program is a collaborative initiative between West Virginia Sober Living and the West Virginia University Health Science Center. WV Peers links recovery coaches, who have lived experience in substance abuse, with individuals in the community who need help in connecting to treatment and support resources.
LGBTQ+ Resources
West Virginia Health Right / LGBTQIA+ EqualHealth Program
West Virginia Health Right has an LGBTQIA+ program, called EqualHealth, that proves free health care for LGBTQIA+ individuals ages 18 and older. They offer vaccinations for Monkeypox, and medication (PrEP) for HIV prevention.
West Virginia University (WVU) Carruth Center LGBTQ Support Program
The Carruth Center at WVU offers a program to support LGBTQ students and those allied with the LGBTQ community in handling stresses associated with LGBTQ identity. Concerns such as harassment and discrimination, social anxiety, and substance abuse can be addressed through this program.
Rainbow Pride of West Virginia
This West Virginia Pride group is a 501©3 nonprofit organization based in Charleston. They provide health resources, education and advocacy to West Virginia’s LGBTQ community and its allies. Event sponsors include LGBTQ-friendly healthcare organizations.
Veterans Programs
West Virginia Veterans Association Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) Program
Some West Virginia VA clinic locations offer SUD treatment using evidence-based psychotherapies and medications for alcohol use disorder and opioid abuse disorder. You can find the locations of VA clinics in West Virginia that offer SUD treatment on the VA SUD Program Locator page.
West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance / Resources Available for Veterans Suffering from Substance Use Disorder Blog
The West Virginia Veterans Assistance Blog offers a page that lists addiction resources available to veterans from many military branches, including the Marines, Navy, and Air Force.
West Virginia Bureau for Behavioral Health Veterans Crisis Line
This crisis hotline is for veterans and military families. You can dial 988 on your phone and then press 1 to be connected to a crisis counselor.
Indigenous & Tribal Programs
IHS–Treatment Locator
This resource, administered by the Indian Health Service (IHS) provides information about and access to medical, mental health, and addiction recovery services for American Indian and Native Alaskan youth and adults throughout West Virginia and across the United States.
Drug Laws in West Virginia
The Angel Initiative
Created during the 2020 West Virginia legislative session, this is a confidential program executed by the West Virginia state police. It allows people with a substance abuse disorder to surrender illegal drugs to police and thereby avoid prosecution or arrest, and instead gain quick access to treatment.
Police and Peers (PNP)
This SAMHSA funded program pairs Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSS) with law enforcement personnel to assist police officers in handling any social service needs that are encountered during a police response.
West Virginia bill 335, the Access to Opioid Antagonists Act
This act was signed into law in March, 2015. It allows emergency responders, medical professionals, and individuals to administer Naloxone/Narcan without fear of liability. It also allows pharmacists to dispense the medication without a prescription.