Reducing Use

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    Reducing use

    Explore your options

    You are not alone in this journey. This page is here to help you explore options that fit your life, whether you're curious about cutting back or thinking about getting support. 

    Sober curious  

    Being sober curious means taking a closer look at how substances fit into your life. Some people explore being sober curious because they: 

    • Want more energy or better mental health 
    • Notice substances affect their mood, sleep, or motivation 
    • Want to cut back, take breaks, or be more intentional 
    • Are questioning habits but don’t feel like they are struggling with addiction 

    If you’re interested in ways to reduce use, this video shares practical ideas: 

    Does substance use feel hard to control? Is it causing you harm or affecting your daily life? If so, you might need more structured support. Helpful resources and professional support options listed below.

    Types of recovery support 

    There’s no one “right” way to recover. People choose different paths depending on what they need, what feels comfortable, and what fits their life. Here are the most common options. Many people use more than one option, and it’s okay to change paths over time. 

    Quick comparison

    Treatment Option

    What it is

    Good fit if you...

    Detox

    Medical support for withdrawal

    need help stopping safely

    Residential / Inpatient

    Live at a treatment center full-time

    want structure or a new and controlled environment 

    Outpatient 

    Therapy or groups while living at home

    want support while working or going to school

    Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

    Medication + counseling

    want help with cravings or overdose risk

    Dual Diagnosis

    Mental health + substance use care

    want structure or a new and controlled environment

    Peer Support / Aftercare

    Community-based support

    want connection and long-term support

    Treatment during pregnancy

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    If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, recovery support is especially important and can help support a healthy pregnancy. 

    Using substances during pregnancy can affect a developing baby at any stage. Substances can cross the placenta and impact growth, brain development, and overall health. Some babies may need medical care after birth, and in the case of opioids, they may experience temporary withdrawal symptoms that can be treated.  

    Many forms of treatment are safe and effective to use while breastfeeding. Treatment for substance use disorder can support maternal mental health and reduce the risk of overdose postpartum. 

    For information on safe treatment for opioid use disorder during pregnancy, visit the CDC’s Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Before, During, and After Pregnancy page or talk with your healthcare provider about care for other substances. 

    Read more about the effects of alcohol during pregnancy. 

    Need health insurance?

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    Health insurance can make it easier to get care for your body, mind, and overall well-being. If you’re a young adult, student, or between jobs, you have several options. 

    This guide can help you compare options and choose what fits your life right now: choosing health insurance as a young adult

    Find help near me

    These directories list options for treatment, counseling, detox, MAT, recovery housing, and more.  

    You can enter your ZIP Code and filter for cost, type of care, and insurance. 

    • FindTreatment.gov  Nationwide search for local substance use and mental health care 
    • Recovery.org  Lists detox, residential, and outpatient providers near you 

    Alaska’s Resource Guide to Healing and Hope: Navigating Trauma and Substance Use Services

    Free or low-cost options

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    LGBTQ+ and affirming care

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    Programs that are explicitly welcoming and gender-affirming. 

    Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) 

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    Residential (live-In) programs

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    24/7 support in a structured environment

    Residential programs are a good fit if you want time away from daily stress to focus fully on healing and stability.  

    • Akeela residential treatment with mental health and substance use care 
      Accepts Medicaid, youth and adult programs 
    • Alaska Treatment Center residential care for substance use and co-occurring needs 
      Accepts Medicaid, adult programs 
    • Anchorage Recovery Center structured residential substance use treatment 
      Accepts Medicaid, adult programs 
    • Hope Valley Health and Wellness residential treatment for mental health and substance use  
      Accepts insurance, adult programs for veterans and active duty military 
    • Set Free Alaska  faith-based residential and outpatient recovery 
      Accepts Medicaid, men, women, and co-ed options 

    When searching, look for filters like: 

    • Medicaid accepted 
    • Programs for young adults 
    • Men, women, or co-ed options 

    Outpatient programs

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    Get support while living at home 

    Outpatient care works well if you want help while staying connected to work, school, or family. Programs range from weekly counseling to more structured schedules. 

    • Alyeska Counseling Group  counseling and behavioral health services 
      Accepts insurance, individual and group therapy 
    • CODI co-occurring mental health and substance use care 
      Accepts insurance, integrated treatment approach 
    • Four Directions (SCF) culturally grounded outpatient care 
      Accepts Medicaid, Alaska Native and community members 
    • Genesis Recovery outpatient treatment and counseling 
      Accepts Medicaid, adult programs  
    • Providence Breakthrough outpatient substance use and recovery services 
      Accepts insurance, adult programs 
    • VOA Alaska outpatient and young adult recovery services 
      Accepts Medicaid, youth and young adult focus 

    Online support

    Connect with support anytime from your phone or computer. 

    General recovery

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    Common recovery programs and support options 

    Substance specific support

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    Support designed for specific substances and experiences 

    Alcohol 

    Cannabis 

    Opioids 

    Stimulants (Meth, Cocaine) 

    Tobacco & Vaping 

    • Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line coaching and quit support that includes nicotine replacement therapy 
      Free 
      Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW
      Text READY to 34191
    • BecomeAnEX online quit community and tools
      Free

    Mental health & co-occurring support

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    Because mental health and substance use often overlap 

    • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call, text, or chat anytime 
      Free 
      Call/Text: 988 
    • Alaska CARELINE  Alaska’s 24/7 crisis support line 
      Free 
      Call: 1-877-266-4357 
    • The Trevor Project crisis and mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth 
      Free 
      Call: 1-866-488-7386 
      Text: START to 678678 
    • NAMI Online Groups peer-led mental health support meetings 
      Free 
    • 7 Cups anonymous peer listening and emotional support 
      Free (Optional paid features) 

    Apps for support

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    • AA Big Book Free Alcoholics Anonymous readings and meeting finder 
      Free 
    • BetterHelp  online therapy with licensed providers 
      Paid 
    • Headspace  guided meditation and stress support 
      Paid (14-day free trial available, then $69.99 for a year) 
    • I Am  daily affirmations and mindset reminders
      Free basic option (optional paid premium account) 
    • I Am Sober  daily check-ins, streak tracking, and community support 
      Free basic option (paid Sober Plus option) 
    • Insight Timer free meditation, breathwork, and calming music 
      Free (optional paid content) 
    • Nomo  sobriety tracking and shared accountability 
      Free 
    • Quitzilla  habit tracking for alcohol, nicotine, and other substances 
      Paid ($29.99 a year) 
    • Reframe  tools and coaching for cutting back or quitting alcohol 
      Paid (free trial available) 
    • SMART Recovery Cost-Benefit Tool decision-making tool to weigh substance use 
      Free 
    • SoberTool  craving support and relapse prevention tools
      Free 

    This is not a complete list of resources, and options may change over time. Please be patient as you look for the type of support that fits your needs. 

    The Alaska Department of Health does not endorse one company or app over another; we’ve gathered a range of options in one place so you can choose what works best for you. 

    Please feel free to share suggestions or feedback with us.

    Resources

    Related Education

    Everyday Needs

    Stories from Alaskans

    Mental Health

    Supporting Loved Ones

    Contact us

    Next Move

    doh.nextmove@alaska.gov