Find Support for Those with Disabilities
If you or a loved one has a disability, it can add challenges to getting help for mental health, drug, or alcohol issues—but support is out there.
Talk to your doctor about mental health, drug, or alcohol issues
If you’re having issues with mental health, drugs, or alcohol, any of your doctors can help. Sometimes, doctors will only focus on your main disability—but mental health, drug, or alcohol issues are just as important to talk about. You can ask a loved one to help you talk with your doctor too.
Get tips for talking with your doctor about mental health.
If you don’t have a regular doctor, get advice on how to set up an appointment. Make sure to ask about any accommodations you need to access care.
If you need help right away for mental health, drug, or alcohol issues, 988 offers 24/7 judgment-free support for mental health, substance use, and more. Text, call, or chat 988. Access for Deaf/HoH and Spanish speakers.
Connect with your community
You can find support in connecting with people in-person and online. Many people with disabilities live with mental health issues and manage recovery from drugs and alcohol. Sharing your stories and making connections can help.
- The National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability has free online programs to help with mental health.
- Centers for Independent Living are organizations managed by people with disabilities. They have programs that give people tools to live and work in the community. They can also help people manage stress and find social support.
- Find support groups and local programs
- Contact your local No Wrong Door System. A No Wrong Door System provides a coordinated way for people to access services in the community so that you only have to tell your story once.
If you’re caring for someone with a disability, take care of yourself too
Taking care of someone with a disability can be a lot of work. This can be very rewarding, but also stressful. If you’re taking care of a family member, don’t forget to take care of yourself too. Get more tips on physical and mental health for caregivers.
Know your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is a national law. It says that you cannot treat people unfairly because of a disability. The ADA covers many kinds of disabilities, including mental health, drug, and alcohol issues including:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Opioid use disorder
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
You are still protected by the ADA if you’re in recovery from legal drug use. The ADA does not apply if you use illegal drugs.
The ADA protects people with disabilities from discrimination in many settings, including:
- Medical facilities, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, and skilled nursing facilities
- Social services agencies
- Homeless shelters
- Employment
- Schools, colleges, and universities
If you have questions about the ADA, you can call 800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TTY).
Plan how you will get to appointments
It's important to plan ahead on how to get to your appointments and recovery support.
If you can’t get to your appointments, try these options:
- Call the Disability Information & Access Line
- You can call or text them at 1-888-677-1199
- You can also chat online or use a video call to speak with someone in American Sign Language.
- Call 211 to find local programs that can help you with transportation to medical appointments.
- Ask your doctor’s office if they can help you travel. Some health care centers have transportation options or can give you advice on getting there with public transportation like buses and trains.
- If you’re on Medicaid, you may qualify for free or low-cost rides. Check your state Medicaid program to see if they can help. You might need to get approval first.