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Substance Use Services & Resources

General information

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance misuse or addiction, you are not alone. We’re here to help.

Call our Access Call Center 24/7 for assistance

Toll Free: (800) 686-0101

TTY for the hearing impaired - please call 711

 

STEP 1: To get help for yourself or a loved one, start by calling Behavioral Health and Recovery Services’ Access Call Center.

STEP 2: A trained professional will ask you questions to help find the right care for you.

STEP 3: You will receive a referral to an appropriate substance use treatment and/or mental health provider.

We serve San Mateo County residents with Medi-Cal and individuals who are uninsured through a large network of substance use providers located throughout the county and mental health clinics located in Daly City, San Mateo, Half Moon Bay, Redwood City, and East Palo Alto.

Interpreter Services

Access Call Center staff speak English, Spanish, and Chinese. For other languages, they will assist you through a free telephone interpreter service

For more information about BHRS, see ouir brochure. [Spanish], [Chinese],[Tagalog], [Russian]

For COVID-19 behavioral health resources, click here

Frequently Asked Questions

You Are Not Alone – 24/7 Help & Support is Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing challenges with anxiety, panic, depression, alcohol and drug use or other emotional distress, you are not alone.  Below are some resources that provide free, confidential and immediate emotional support by phone, text or chat to anyone in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis -  24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call or text 9-1-1 or see crisis services

Crisis/Suicide Hotline & Text

StarVista Crisis Center (San Mateo County) - sanmateocrisis.org

​National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 

  • 1 (800) 273-8255 or call/text 988.    
  • 1 (888) 628-9454 Spanish speakers
  • 1 (800) 273-8255 Veterans Crisis Line or chat online
  • 1 (800) 985-5990 Disaster Distress Helpline or Text TALKSWITHUS to 66746
  • Chat online

Crisis Text Line - Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support. Text BAY to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor. Learn how it works. 

Providers & Resources

Resources

  • Voices of Recovery offers peer-to-peer substance use recovery guidance and supports personal, family and community recovery.
  • BHRS Office of Consumer and Family Affairs provides information, education and support for consumers/clients and family members dealing with mental health and/or substance use challenges.
  • California Peer-Run Warm Line - a 24/7 non-emergency resource for anyone in California seeking emotional support. Call 1 (855) 845-7415 or chat online. 
  • Heart & Soul Peer-Run Warm Line - (650) 231-2024
  • Current or Former Foster Youth and Caregivers
    Are you a current or former foster youth? Having problems at home? Frustrated? Need someone to talk to? Are you a caregiver of a current or former foster youth? Are you feeling frustrated? Would you like additional support? The 24/7 FURS  hotline is here to help. CALL OR TEXT: 1-833-939-FURS | 1-833-939-3877. Learn more about FURS at www.cal-furs.org.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) San Mateo County 
    Support for family members who have a loved one with a mental illness
    Warm Line:  650-638-0802 | Office Line:  650-638-0800
  • Domestic Violence Hotline – 1 (800) 799-7233 (SAFE) or chat at www.thehotline.org
  • CORA (Communities Overcoming Relationship Abuse) – 1 (800) 300-1080 | www.corasupport.org
  • Youth Stabilization, Opportunity, & Support (S.O.S.) Team...Coming Soon -  The Youth S.O.S. Team is designed to respond within 24 hours in the community to any location where youth (ages 0-25) may be in a mental health crisis.  They will provide a holistic response including safety assessments, crisis intervention, brief counseling, family supports and resources, linkages and warm hand-offs to ongoing care to support the youth and their family. For questions about our Youth S.O.S program, contact StarVista’s Crisis Center at svcrisiscenter@star-vista.org or visit www.sanmateocrisis.org
  • Serenity House Crisis Residential Treatment (CRT) – for adults 18+
    Serenity House is a 13-bed CRT program serving adults age 18+ with a diagnosis of mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders. They provide care 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The CRT will help people find relief from distress, maintain stability, and emphasize choice-making skills and harm-reduction techniques. Prior to arriving at the program, all referrals should call 650-539-0340 to access services. Learn more.
  • StarVista First Chance Programs offer the Sobering Station which provides a 24-hour program that serves as an alternative to jail for persons arrested for driving under the influence or public intoxication. Individuals receive access to counselors and the First Chance Detox, which is a 4-bed facility serving clients in all of San Mateo County with substance use disorders who are actively withdrawing from the effects of alcohol or other drugs.   

Is My Insurance Accepted?

BHRS serves Health Plan of San Mateo members with the following plans: Medi-Cal, CareAdvantange, County ACE, and HealthWorx.

Services provided are based on individual needs and are available to San Mateo County residents on a sliding fee scale. No one is turned away for lack of funds. 

Privately insured? Contact your carrier to learn about coverage options and substance use services available to you through your health insurance plan.

Related Content

Overview

Mental Health Services

Behavioral Health and Recovery Services provides mental health services to individuals who are eligible for Medi-Cal and/or members of the Health Plan of San Mateo through outpatient clinics in Daly City, San Mateo, the Coastside, Redwood City and East Palo Alto, in school-based locations, and through a network of community agencies and independent providers who offer outpatient services, residential treatment, rehabilitation and other services for adults and children.

Overview

Health Insurance Coverage

Under the Affordable Care Act, all U.S. born and naturalized citizens, as well as all immigrants who are legally residing in the U.S. and who are required to file annual personal income taxes, must carry valid health insurance or face a tax penalty.

Contact

Voices of Recovery
www.vorsmc.org

Voices of Recovery San Mateo County offers peer-led opportunities for education, wellness, advocacy, and support for people and families of people in or in need of long-term recovery from substance use and co-occurring substance use and mental health challenges.

Recovery Connection Center
650 Main Street, Redwood City, CA 94063

Mon: 10:00 AM -7:00 PM
Tue: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Wed: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Fri: Available by phone or email 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

(650) 980-1922
(888) 527-0557 toll-free)
Post

Al-Anon & Alateen

A fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope, in order to solve their common problems. Alateen is for of young people whose lives have been affected by alcoholism in a family member or close friend.

(650) 592-7935 : South/Central Clinic
(650) 873-2356 : North Clinic