Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Where can an uninsured person seek help for alcohol or other drug use problems?

There are several agencies in Genesee County that can help. A first step is to make an appointment with Intake, Assessment and Referral Center (IARC). Here, a person meets with a counselor who helps find out exactly what the person needs. There are many places to go for services after the assessment and many kinds of treatment available. The IARC counselor will provide a list of agencies that provide treatment which include phone numbers and locations. Sometimes IARC staff will call the agency selected directly. Some agencies in Genesee County will accept people without insurance or who have Medicaid or other types of insurance. IARC is also able to refer people with insurance to substance abuse treatment services. No one is ever turned away if they cannot pay for services, but they must first meet with a counselor at IARC before entering a treatment program. Waiting lists for some programs do exist.

The Genesee County Health Department began providing administrative oversight for publicly funded substance abuse services October 1, 1996. Anyone wanting information or assistance can call the Genesee County Health Department at 257-3612.