Meth, cocaine, opioids and alcoholism, New Mexico faces its share of substance abuse challenges, and there are truly few families in New Mexico that remain untouched by the pains of it all. Over the past 30 years, New Mexico has consistently had among the highest alcohol-related death rates in the United States. The negative consequences of excessive alcohol use in NM are not limited to death but also include domestic violence, crime, poverty, and unemployment, as well as chronic liver disease, motor vehicle crash and other injuries, mental illness, and a variety of other medical problems.
Addiction treatment works, however. Addiction is a preventable and controllable disease, and whenever someone decides to get help, they take a significant step forward to bettering their life.
New Mexico supports comprehensive parity legislation for mental health needs, but this does not include substance abuse treatment. As a result, insurance companies are not required to fund needed drug and alcohol treatment equally to physical health treatment.
There are a number of very good private drug and alcohol rehabs within the state, but for those without the ability to pay for private care, there are also several free or affordable drug rehabs. These rehabs do not base admissions on an ability to pay for services.
If you are facing a mental health and addiction crisis, you can call the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line now, on 1-855-662-7474 (toll-free). It is a statewide mental health crisis line where professional counselors take calls 24 hours a day.
If you are having a life threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.
