Arizona has a complex and sometimes confusing landscape of addiction treatment resources. Between AHCCCS, ADHS licensing, Regional Behavioral Health Authorities, and a wide range of treatment providers, it can be hard to know where to start — especially when you or someone you love is in crisis. This guide is meant to simplify that landscape and help you find the right help, as quickly as possible.
The State of Addiction in Arizona
Arizona consistently ranks among the states most affected by the opioid crisis. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), opioid overdose deaths have remained elevated since the fentanyl surge that began in 2019. Methamphetamine and alcohol-related hospitalizations are also significant public health concerns across Maricopa County and the state.
The good news: Arizona has invested substantially in expanding access to treatment. AHCCCS covers behavioral health and addiction services for over two million residents, and ADHS maintains licensing and oversight to ensure quality standards across treatment providers.
AHCCCS: Arizona's Medicaid Program
AHCCCS (the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) is the foundation of publicly funded addiction treatment in Arizona. If you are a low-income Arizona resident, AHCCCS may cover your treatment at no cost.
Who Qualifies for AHCCCS?
- Adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level (approximately $20,000/year for a single person)
- Families with children meeting income guidelines
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with disabilities receiving SSI or SSDI
- Adults aged 65 and older meeting income requirements
How to Apply for AHCCCS
You can apply for AHCCCS at any time — there is no open enrollment period. Applications can be submitted online at healthearizonaplus.gov, by phone at 1-855-HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587), or in person at a DES (Department of Economic Security) office near you. Many applications are processed within days.
What AHCCCS Covers for Addiction Treatment
AHCCCS covers a comprehensive range of addiction treatment services, including outpatient and intensive outpatient programs, individual and group therapy, medication-assisted treatment, psychiatric evaluation and medication management, case management, and peer support services. For most enrollees, these services are available at $0 out of pocket.
ADHS: Arizona Department of Health Services
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating behavioral health treatment facilities. When you choose a provider that is ADHS licensed, you can be confident that they meet the state's standards for clinical staffing, safety, and evidence-based practices.
How to Find Licensed Providers
ADHS maintains a searchable database of licensed behavioral health providers at azdhs.gov. You can search by county, level of care, and type of service. Look for facilities with an OTC (Outpatient Treatment Center) or BHH (Behavioral Health Home) designation for outpatient addiction services.
The Barbell Saves Outpatient Center is licensed OTC-77 under Arizona DBHS (Division of Behavioral Health Services), meaning we meet all state requirements for outpatient addiction treatment.
Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs)
AHCCCS behavioral health services in Arizona are administered through Regional Behavioral Health Authorities, which are managed care organizations contracted by the state to coordinate services in specific geographic areas.
- Maricopa County (Phoenix area): Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care — 1-800-564-5465
- Pima County (Tucson area): Cenpatico Behavioral Health — 1-866-495-6738
- Northern Arizona: NARBHA (Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Alliance) — 1-877-756-4090
- Southern Arizona (non-Pima): Cenpatico — same number as Pima County
Your RBHA can help connect you to covered providers in your area and answer questions about your AHCCCS behavioral health benefits.
Crisis Resources in Arizona
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger due to a substance use crisis or mental health emergency, these resources are available 24/7:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 — available nationwide, includes substance use crisis support
- Arizona Crisis Line: 1-844-534-HOPE (4673) — available 24/7 for Arizona residents
- Mercy Maricopa Crisis Line (Maricopa County): 1-800-631-1314
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 — free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral service
- Emergency services: Call 911 if someone is unresponsive or in immediate physical danger
Naloxone (Narcan) is available without a prescription at most Arizona pharmacies and can reverse an opioid overdose. If someone in your life uses opioids, having naloxone on hand and knowing how to use it can save their life.
How Barbell Saves Fits Into This Landscape
The Barbell Saves Outpatient Center is a privately owned, ADHS-licensed outpatient treatment center in north Phoenix. We accept AHCCCS and most major insurance plans. We are not a large corporate chain — we are a community-rooted facility built by people who believe recovery is possible and that treatment should be accessible, dignified, and effective.
Our IOP program runs Monday through Friday with multiple session times available, making it compatible with work and family schedules. Our facility integrates an on-site gym, yoga, peer support, and medical services under one roof. And we accept AHCCCS, meaning most Phoenix-area residents can access our full program at no cost.
Navigating the Arizona treatment system is hard. We can help. Call us and we'll walk through your options, verify your insurance, and get you connected to care — without the runaround.