Editorial coverage of addiction treatment — evidence-based, verified, accessible

What We Do

We publish three things: a verified directory of every licensed addiction treatment center in the United States (21,500+ facilities, updated from SAMHSA's Treatment Locator); in-depth editorial guides on insurance coverage, program types, and what to expect from treatment; and clear, neutral explanations of how specific insurance plans handle substance use disorder care. Our goal is that a person searching at 2 a.m. for help for themselves or a loved one can find accurate information within two minutes — whether they're comparing levels of care, trying to understand what their Aetna plan will cover, or looking for any licensed center within driving distance.

We are not a treatment provider. We do not refer people to specific centers in exchange for payment. When we recommend a general approach — for example, that medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder is the standard of care — we cite the evidence (CDC, SAMHSA, NIDA, peer-reviewed studies) and link to the primary source so you can check our work.

What We Don't Do

We don't accept payment in exchange for directory placement or preferential coverage. Every facility shown in our directory is sourced from the SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator — the same federal database that state-licensed providers are required to appear in. We display every qualifying center whether or not they have ever heard of us.

We don't give medical advice. Choosing between outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, or residential care is a clinical decision that depends on your history, support system, and risk factors. Our role is to explain what each level of care typically involves, what insurance usually pays for, and what questions to ask a clinician or admissions counselor — not to tell you which one is right for you.

We don't promise specific outcomes. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition, and most evidence-based treatment reduces — not eliminates — the risk of relapse. Any site that promises "guaranteed recovery" or a specific success rate is either selling something or misunderstanding the evidence. We won't do either.

How We Source Information

Our treatment-center directory pulls from the SAMHSA Treatment Services Locator, the authoritative federal database of licensed behavioral-health providers. We refresh the dataset quarterly and display the last update date on each state and facility page. If a center is listed as closed or its license has been suspended by a state regulator, it is removed within 30 days.

Our editorial guides cite primary sources — federal agencies (SAMHSA, CDC, NIDA, CMS), peer-reviewed journals, and state regulatory filings. Where there is genuine disagreement among experts (for example, on the comparative effectiveness of buprenorphine vs. methadone for specific patient profiles), we say so and present both positions rather than pretending there is a single "right" answer.

Insurance coverage information is drawn from publicly available Summary Plan Description documents, state insurance department filings, and the CMS Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity compliance database. Because plan design varies by employer and by year, we encourage every reader to verify coverage directly with their insurer or a licensed admissions counselor before making financial commitments.

Who Writes This

Pacific Shores is edited by a small team with backgrounds in healthcare journalism and behavioral-health policy research. We do not publish fictional author bios or fake clinical credentials. Articles that make clinical claims are fact-checked against current SAMHSA TIPs (Treatment Improvement Protocols), NIDA Research Reports, or peer-reviewed literature before publication, and the cited sources appear at the foot of each guide so readers can audit our reasoning.

If you find a factual error, an outdated citation, or a facility listing that no longer reflects reality, email us at [email protected]. We publish a last-updated date at the foot of every page and correct substantive errors within five business days.

Crisis & Urgent Help

If you or someone you love is in a psychiatric or medical emergency, call 911. For 24/7 free and confidential treatment referrals, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) — a federal service, not run by us, available in English and Spanish. For suicide or crisis counseling, call or text 988.

Pacific Shores is operated by a small editorial team and funded by affiliate relationships with licensed treatment centers that do not influence our directory or coverage. Last updated April 2026. See our editorial policy.