The main addiction resources Lancaster County residents can turn to include the Lancaster County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Pennsylvania’s 24/7 Get Help Now service, free naloxone programs, local support groups, and licensed treatment programs. Whether you need an assessment, help paying for care or support for a loved one, there is a place to start.
Looking for help can feel overwhelming, especially if you are not sure what exists near you. This guide brings together official county, state and national resources in one place, explains what each one does, and links you directly to them. Programs and funding can change, so check each organization’s website for the latest details.
Addiction Resources Lancaster County Offers Through the Drug & Alcohol Commission
In Pennsylvania, county drug and alcohol offices are known as Single County Authorities (SCAs). In Lancaster, that is the Lancaster County Drug & Alcohol Commission. Its mission is to provide access to community-based prevention and education services for all residents and treatment services for uninsured and underinsured low-income residents.
According to Pennsylvania’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), county drug and alcohol offices can help with treatment funding, assess the need for treatment or other services, and make referrals to match treatment and service needs.
The Commission’s website also links to several helpful programs, including opioid overdose information through Lancaster Joining Forces, recovery house scholarships, and a Getting Help brochure available in English and Spanish.
How to access county-funded help
Lancaster County’s Accessing Help page explains a few important points:
- Start with an evaluation. The county suggests contacting one of the outpatient providers it contracts with to talk through your situation and receive an evaluation and treatment recommendation if appropriate.
- If you have no insurance, you receive a financial liability assessment to determine what you would pay each month. County funding may be limited because of budget constraints.
- If you have insurance, contact your insurance company first. The county notes that many insurance companies cover drug and alcohol treatment, and HMO plans typically require pre-authorization.
- Pregnant women are a priority population and receive services before all others.
Pennsylvania Statewide Resources
PA Get Help Now
DDAP’s Locate Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services page describes the PA Get Help Now service, which connects you with trained staff 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can reach them by phone, text or live chat to talk through treatment options for yourself or a family member.
Treatment Atlas and facility search tools
The same page links to Treatment Atlas, which offers an assessment tool and a searchable database for comparing facilities by location, services and insurance. Pennsylvania also offers a Care Provider Search for licensed facilities and a facility locator that shows inspection results.
Free Naloxone and Overdose Prevention Supplies
If you or someone you love uses opioids, keep naloxone on hand. Pennsylvania’s overdose prevention supplies program offers free naloxone, fentanyl test strips and xylazine test strips. Pennsylvania residents can receive free naloxone by mail for personal use after completing a short online training, and free supplies are also available locally through walk-in, pick-up or delivery options.
You can also get naloxone at a pharmacy. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has a standing order that lets anyone buy naloxone at a pharmacy without an individual prescription, and over-the-counter naloxone is sold in many stores. Learn how to use Narcan and how fentanyl test strips work. If you think someone is overdosing, call 911 and give naloxone if opioids may be involved.
Crisis Support and National Helplines
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Lifeline offers free, confidential support 24/7 by call, text or chat, including for mental health struggles, emotional distress, and alcohol or drug use concerns. Call or text 988.
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline: SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service in English and Spanish for individuals and families. SAMHSA also runs FindTreatment.gov, an online treatment locator.
- Emergencies: For any medical emergency, including an overdose, call 911.
Support Groups and Help for Families
Recovery is easier with people who understand. Lancaster County’s Helping People With Problems page lists local contacts for Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon for family and friends, and Compass Mark, a local organization.
The county’s page also urges family and friends to stop enabling, such as loaning money, lying for someone or making excuses for them, because enabling can keep a person from seeing how serious the problem is. For a step-by-step approach, read our guide on how to talk to a loved one about going to rehab, or compare peer groups in SMART Recovery vs. AA.
Outpatient Treatment in Lancaster
If you need structured treatment but want to stay connected to home, outpatient programs can help. The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Services has two Lancaster locations: our Outpatient Center and our Outpatient Residence, a 16-bed, substance-free home for partial hospitalization clients with 24/7 support staff and transportation to programming.
- Partial hospitalization (PHP): full-day programming five days a week; most clients complete it in about 8-12 weeks.
- Intensive outpatient (IOP): three-hour group sessions three days a week while living at home, typically for about 5-6 weeks.
We treat alcohol and drug addiction as well as co-occurring mental health conditions. Detox is not done on site; if you need medical detox, it can be coordinated with residential care at The Ranch Pennsylvania before you step down to outpatient care. After treatment, aftercare planning helps you stay connected to local support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start if I don’t have insurance in Lancaster County?
Start with the Lancaster County Drug & Alcohol Commission, the county’s Single County Authority. County offices can assess your needs, help with treatment funding and make referrals, though funding may be limited.
Can I get naloxone for free in Lancaster County?
Yes. Pennsylvania residents can get free naloxone by mail or through local walk-in, pick-up or delivery options, and anyone can buy it at a pharmacy under the state’s standing order.
Is there a 24/7 addiction helpline in Pennsylvania?
Yes. PA Get Help Now is available 24/7 by phone, text or chat. SAMHSA’s National Helpline and the 988 Lifeline are also available around the clock.
Are there addiction resources Lancaster County families can use?
Families can turn to Al-Anon, the county’s Helping People With Problems page, and family therapy offered through treatment programs.
Get Help for Addiction in Lancaster, PA
You do not have to figure this out alone. The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Services offers addiction treatment programs for people in Lancaster County and central Pennsylvania, including York, Harrisburg, Reading and Lebanon. We accept many insurance plans, and our team verifies your benefits before treatment begins. Verify your insurance today. Our admissions team is available 24/7, and calls are free and confidential.
