If you’re staring at your phone wondering if there's a way out of the cycle of addiction without ending up in the back of a squad car, you aren't alone. It’s a terrifying spot to be in. Most people think calling the police or walking into a precinct is a one-way ticket to a jail cell. But there’s a specific program changing that math entirely. It's called Hope Not Handcuffs, and if you need the hope not handcuffs phone number right now, it is 833-202-HOPE (4673).
That number is basically a lifeline that connects you to people who give a damn about your recovery, not your criminal record.
Why This Number is Different
The hope not handcuffs phone number isn't just another automated hotline where you sit on hold for forty minutes listening to elevator music. It’s the entry point for a program started by Families Against Narcotics (FAN). The whole idea—which honestly sounds too good to be true until you see it in action—is that anyone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction can walk into a participating police station or call the number to ask for help.
Instead of being processed for a crime, you’re met by an "Angel."
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The Call Center Hours
Life doesn't happen on a 9-to-5 schedule, especially when things are falling apart. The call center is open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you call outside those hours, you can still reach out to local law enforcement in participating areas, but that 833 number is your primary link to the FAN dispatchers.
What Happens When You Call?
When you dial the hope not handcuffs phone number, you’re talking to people who understand the intake process. They aren't there to interrogate you. Basically, they coordinate with volunteer "Angels"—trained community members, many of whom are in recovery themselves—who meet you at a safe location, usually a participating police station.
The Angel’s job is simple but huge:
- They sit with you so you aren't alone.
- They help with the mountain of paperwork that usually stops people from getting into rehab.
- They call the insurance companies (which we all know is a nightmare).
- They find an open bed in a treatment facility.
It’s about removing the friction. When you're in withdrawal or a mental health crisis, you can't be expected to navigate the American healthcare bureaucracy. The program does that for you.
Participating Locations and Realities
Right now, this isn't a nationwide thing yet, which is a bummer, but it's growing fast. It started in Macomb County, Michigan, and has exploded across the state. In 2025, we saw it launch in Northville Township, and there are now over 150 law enforcement agencies in Michigan alone that participate.
New York is the other big hub. If you’re in the Hudson Valley—places like Poughkeepsie, New Windsor, or Suffern—you have access to this. In Poughkeepsie, for instance, they even have a specific local line, 833-428-HOPE, though the main 202-HOPE number still works as the primary gateway.
What if you have a warrant?
This is the question everyone asks. Honestly, it’s a gray area that depends on the specific agency, but generally, the program is for people seeking help voluntarily. If you have a violent felony warrant, the "no handcuffs" part might not apply. However, for most people struggling with possession or non-violent issues related to their use, the police departments involved have agreed to prioritize treatment over arrest. They want you out of the system and into a clinic.
The Role of the "Angel" Volunteers
The heart of this isn't the police; it's the volunteers. Judge Linda Davis, who helped start FAN, realized that the missing link in recovery was compassion. You can have all the rehab centers in the world, but if the person seeking help feels like a criminal, they won't show up.
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Angels are people like you and me. Some are retired teachers, some are moms who lost a child to an overdose, and many are people who have ten years of sobriety and want to pay it forward. They show up within 15 to 20 minutes of your call or your arrival at a station. They bring snacks, water, and a lack of judgment that is rare in the legal system.
The Impact by the Numbers
Since 2017, the program has connected over 12,000 people to treatment. That’s 12,000 people who might have ended up in a morgue or a prison cell.
| Region | Active Agencies (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 150+ |
| New York | 65+ |
It’s not just about the person using, either. They offer Family Recovery Coaches because, let's be real, addiction is a family disease. It wrecks everyone in the blast radius.
Practical Steps to Take Right Now
If you or someone you love is ready to stop, here is exactly what you do. Don't overthink it.
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- Call the primary hope not handcuffs phone number: Dial 833-202-4673.
- Verify your location: Tell them where you are. They will find the nearest participating police station or fire department.
- Head to the station: If you don't have a ride, sometimes the program or the local PD can help arrange transportation.
- Ask for "Hope Not Handcuffs": Walk up to the desk. You don't need a speech. Just say the name of the program.
- Wait for your Angel: They will be there shortly to take over the logistics.
You don't need insurance to call. If you have it, great—they'll use it. If you don't, or if you're on Medicaid, they work with the local Office of Substance Abuse Services to find a spot for you. They don't turn people away because they're broke.
The hardest part is the first three seconds of the phone call. Once you say "I need help," the weight starts to shift off your shoulders and onto the program's infrastructure. It isn't a magic cure—recovery is still work—but it’s a door that isn't locked from the outside.
Keep these numbers ready:
- Main Call Center: 833-202-4673 (8am-10pm)
- Hudson Valley NY specific: 833-428-HOPE
- Emergency: 911 (If you are overdosing, do not wait for a call center; get medical help immediately).
Reach out to Families Against Narcotics if you want to become a volunteer "Angel" or if your local police department isn't participating yet and you want to advocate for them to join. They provide the training and the software to help local towns set this up.