Wendy Williams Launches Substance Abuse Hotline

Wendy Williams on Monday launched a substance abuse hotline to refer those struggling with addiction to get the help they need.

Launched through her Hunter Foundation and in partnership with T.R.U.S.T., the national resource hotline 1-888-5HUNTER (1-888-548-6837) will provide various resources to those suffering, their families or the general public to receive education and awareness information, the talk show host announced.

Williams, 54, has been open about her past 10-year battle with crack and cocaine use.

The 24-hour hotline will be fully staffed by trained Certified Recovery Coaches who will conduct assessments and match callers with short- or longer-term treatment facilities including detox, rehabilitation, sober living and outpatient centers, according to a news release. The intake process will also include an evaluation on the level of care needed, which drugs or substances are being used, as well as financial circumstances, to match the patient with facilities that may accept Medicaid, self-pay or private insurance.

“We must all come together to respond to this crisis of addiction and substance abuse. Everyone is at risk from the inner cities to more affluent communities,” Williams said in a statement. “My family and I are very proud to partner with T.R.U.S.T. to get people the help that they so desperately need, especially if they or their families have given up hope. There is hope.”

Williams’ launch comes a week after she returned to her namesake show following a lengthy hiatus, which she blamed on her battle with Graves’ disease. Upon her return, Williams delved into her history with drug addiction.

“Once you’re a substance abuser, you have to battle that for the rest of your life,” she said. “I’ve told you about my 10-year ride with the cocaine and the crack. Oh, yes, crack is wack — but it was very good to me at a particularly stupid point in my life. … I was a mess, functioning, killing myself. I realize that I am a walking addict. Do you know what I’m saying? You can’t just clean it up and stop it and think it’s not going to affect you.”

I knew about the coke .........

But I didn't know about the crack ......

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