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American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

State Funded Alcohol & Drug Detox and Rehab Programs Near Me

Government-Funded Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

Despite the prevalence of addiction in the United States, few people who need rehabilitation treatment end up receiving it. There are many different reasons why people don’t go to rehab to treat their drug and alcohol addiction, but the top 2 reasons are:1

  • The person has no healthcare and couldn’t afford treatment.
  • They had healthcare coverage, but they still couldn’t afford it.

According to the 2019 National Survey of Drug Use and Health, only 17.8% of Americans over 12 years old needing treatment got the specialized help they needed.1 One of the common solutions to the problem of people being unable to pay for treatment is state-funded rehab, which provides treatment for free or reduced costs.2


What is state funded rehab?

Substance abuse not only claims lives, but it’s also economically straining on the country. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), drug and alcohol abuse costs the nation an estimated $520.5 billion a year.3

The purpose of state-funded rehab is to combat substance abuse by providing free or affordable treatment for people who would otherwise be unable to afford it. State-funded rehab facilities pay for their operations through:2

  • Federal grants.
  • State funds.
  • Government-assistance programs (Medicaid).

Many people suffering from addiction turn to state-funded treatment centers for a free or low-cost solution to their problem.

Can You Pay for Rehab with Medicare or Medicaid?

Medicare and Medicaid are both government programs, but they each target different populations and have slightly different sources for funding:4,5

  • Medicare is an insurance program that is federally funded healthcare available to individuals who are 65 years old and older, or for people of any age that have certain disabilities.
  • Medicaid is a government-assistance program funded by both state and federal governments. It provides health coverage to low-income individuals regardless of age, pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities.

Many state-funded alcohol or drug rehab centers allow patients to pay with Medicare and Medicaid. Some private institutions may also accept Medicaid and Medicare.


Does the Government Pay for Drug Treatment?

Government can pay for treatment in several ways. One of them is through Medicare and Medicaid, insurance providers that use public funds to pay for treatment. While these two use the same funds, they provide treatment to different groups of people.9

Medicare provides treatment to U.S. citizens aged 65 or older no matter what their income is. Depending on the individual situation, some people under 65 might also be eligible for Medicare-funded treatment.9

On the other hand, Medicaid provides services to low-income individuals, but there are a few other eligibility requirements that vary from state to state. Most treatment centers, including those run by AAC, will accept Medicare and Medicaid as a financing method.9

Another way the government might pay for drug treatment is through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This act expanded healthcare coverage, including coverage for substance abuse, so that more U.S. citizens can have access to treatment. Thanks to the ACA, behavioral and mental health disorders have the same coverage as medical emergencies and other physical help problems.16,17

In order to be eligible for the governement-funded treatment, you’ll have to meet several strict requirements, including:16,17

  • Proof that you’re a U.S. citizen.
  • Proof of income.
  • Proof of residency within the state in which you’re trying to get treatment. 
  • Proof that you don’t have any insurance.

How Does the Affordable Care Act Help Cover Rehab?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) made drug and alcohol rehabilitation available to more people in recent years. The ACA prohibits insurance companies from refusing coverage for pre-existing conditions, including mental health and substance use problems.6 The ACA also established the Healthcare.gov marketplace full of plans with the same minimum coverage requirements for substance use and other disorders.7

Healthcare plans through an employer or the ACA marketplace generally cover inpatient/residential treatment and outpatient care, which includes detoxification and therapy. That said, the level of coverage provided can vary greatly. The particular plan may:

  • Have a limit on the amount of days or doctor visits covered.
  • Have a high or low deductible that must be met before coverage begins.
  • Restrict coverage on patients attempting treatment more than once within a year.
  • Have high or low copayment costs for visits and prescription drugs (e.g., $40 for each visit to a physician).


Who is Eligible for State-Funded Rehab?

Each state has differing eligibility requirements for state-funded rehab. Because there are many applicants, these requirements tend to be very strict. Potential patients may need to provide proof of their annual income and state residency.

The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) provides funding to all the U.S. states, with a specific emphasis on:8

  • Rehabilitation treatment for:
    • Pregnant women.
    • Single mothers.
    • People who abuse needle drugs.
  • Services for:
    • Substance abuse prevention.
    • Infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

State-funded rehab may accept or deny patients based on their own criteria. This may mean they prioritize accepting people in dire situations due to income levels, co-occurring physical or mental problems, whether they have dependents, etc.


How Quickly Does Treatment Start in a State-Funded Rehab?

It is often difficult to get into state-funded rehab due to high demand. State and local facilities may have varying procedures as to who is accepted and in what order. This means that some applicants may be put on a waiting list, which means a patient may have to wait between several weeks and several months to get accepted into a facility.9

What Do State Funded Rehabilitation Programs Offer?

State-funded rehabs offer more or less the same type of treatment you can find at private-funded treatment centers. However, as the funding is limited, you might not get some amenities available at luxurious, private rehabs. However, this doesn’t mean that this form of treatment is ineffective. Any form of treatment has better success rates than alternatives such as incarceration.18

Depending on the program and your coverage, you may be eligible for detox, inpatient or outpatient treatment, post-treatment counseling, and behavioral therapies. The details of these services will be discussed during the screening process that will be conducted at the intake.18,19

At the screening process, the individual will be required to honestly answer some questions regarding their substance abuse. This includes the history of substance abuse and some personal information. The answers will help trained professionals decide on the treatment that is necessary.20

The first things that are decided upon evaluation are whether the individual requires inpatient or outpatient care. If they’re required to go outpatient, a primary therapist will be given who will decide on the further steps. If inpatient treatment is necessary, they’ll be referred to a treatment center near them that accepts state funding, such as Medicare or Medicaid.19,20


Where Do I Look for a State-Funded Rehab Center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a very useful tool for finding nearby rehabilitation treatment centers on their website called the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator. The tool allows the user to search for free addiction rehab treatment programs by typing in their address, city, or zip code. Clicking “more information” on a selected facility will reveal what services are offered, how the center is funded, and their payment options.

The SAMHSA also provides the Single State Agencies (SSAs) for Substance Use Services directory. This document lists contact information for the state government agencies that coordinate and provide addiction treatment services to those who are uninsured or low income. State agencies can provide info about government-funded treatment centers where individuals might qualify for treatment.

Are There State Funded Rehabs in California or Florida?

You can find state funded rehabs in all of the U.S. states. This includes California and Florida. When it comes to California, you can find:21

  • 1,311 facilities total.
  • 273 facilities that accept Medicare.
  • 461 treatment centers accepting Medicaid.
  • 326 rehabs that accept other state-financed health insurances. 

Similarly, when it comes to Florida, there are:21

  • 668 rehab facilities total. 
  • 154 treatment centers that accept Medicare.
  • 254 facilities accept Medicaid. 
  • 202 rehabs that accept state-financed health insurance. 

California

People from California can go to the Laguna Treatment Hospital for their treatment. This facility might accept state-funded financing methods. In fact, this is the first chemical dependency recovery hospital in Orange County. It mostly treats medically compromised patients that require 24/7 care and monitoring, but it can accept any person in need of substance abuse treatment. Most patients are treated with some form of medication-assisted treatment.

Florida

If you live in Florida, you might want to contact the Recovery First Treatment Center. This treatment facility combines evidence-based therapeutic modalities with world-class care conducted by compassionate, educated, and trained professionals. It can provide you with the best possible care for not just your substance abuse, but also co-occurring mental health problems. The facility creates customized treatment plans tailored for each individual, based on their personal situation. It might also accept state funds.


What Are the Pros and Cons of State-Funded Rehabs?

There are several benefits to state-funded rehab. Two of the most important ones include:22

  • Low cost. Many state-funded treatment programs are rather affordable or even free of charge for participants that are eligible. While the procedures might not have some of the newest technologies or provide luxury treatment, this is still a great option for those who cannot afford treatment otherwise..22
  • Available care and treatment services. Professionals working at state-funded rehab centers are trained professionals. They know what they are doing and they can still provide patients with great treatment. 

Of course, state-funded rehab programs have their drawbacks:22

  • The waiting list. Substance abuse is a severe problem in the U.S. A number of people struggle with this issue and many are already in debt due to their substance abuse. They have lost their job, borrowed money they cannot return, or have severe physical issues. Some even struggle with a combination of all of these. 

This means lots of people are seeking affordable treatment. At the same time, it’s essential to act quickly if you want to ensure greater chances of success. Long waiting lists can reduce the chances of recovery.

  • Misconceptions. As these programs have limited funds and limited capacities, many patients don’t think they’re effective or think they’ll be released before their recovery is complete. If they relapse, they’ll be less likely to attend rehab once again as they’ll believe the program is ineffective.
  • Outdated methods. Many state-funder rehab centers have limited budgets. Therefore, they usually cannot provide patients with the most advanced treatment technologies. In fact, many rely strictly on 12-step programs.

Whats the Difference Between State-Funded Rehab and Private Rehab?

Both state-funded and private rehab have the same goal—to help someone get sober and to provide them with the necessary skills to remain in recovery. Many private and state-funded facilities treat addiction with medical detoxification, evidence-based therapy techniques, and medication-assisted treatment.

Because state-funded treatment is often free or provided at a dramatically reduced cost, it is usually more limited than private centers when it comes to amenities and extra comforts. Potential patients may be denied or have to go on a waiting list when attempting to receive treatment at a state-funded facility. These rehab centers are often limited to purely evidence-based techniques and may not offer supplemental therapy methods that may prove effective for some patients.2

In contrast, private rehab facilities often boast luxuries (like gourmet meals, private rooms, etc.), and alternative therapies in addition to evidence-based methods They are typically able to accept patients quicker than state-funded agencies as well. Many private facilities are able to afford extra amenities, provide supplemental therapy techniques, and accept new patients promptly because they are funded by private payments or through insurance coverage.

While the programs may differ, both state-funded and private rehab facilities provide effective treatment that helps patients address their substance use disorder (SUD) and start working toward recovery.

Do State-Funded Rehab Provide Inpatient Mental Health Treatment?

State-funded rehabs provide treatment for substance abuse. However, many people struggling with substance abuse also have some co-occurring mental health disorders. In fact, more than 37% of people addicted to some illicit substance also have mental health issues. Additionally, about 18% of people with some mental illness also have substance use disorder.23 

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) that was voted in 2008 requires all health insurance providers to provide the same coverage for mental health treatment as they would for medical or surgical care. This includes government-funded rehab. While certain programs accept different levels of coverage, most are able to provide mental health treatment to a certain extent.24

To determine whether you have coverage for substance abuse and mental health issues at a state-funded treatment center, you can call a local hotline that offers verification options. You might also contact your local government facility or your Medicare or Medicaid provider. They should be able to point you in the direction of state-funded rehab centers. Finally, you also have the option of calling AAC and seeing whether some of their treatment centers accept government funding. 


Find a State-Funded Detox or Rehab Near You

Any way that people suffering from SUDs can get effective, safe rehabilitation treatment is a valuable tool in combatting addiction in the United States. State-funded rehab is an excellent option for people who would otherwise be unable to get the help they need to get sober and remain in recovery.

For others, private rehabilitation facilities may prove to be a more viable route. American Addiction Centers (AAC) provides quality SUD treatment, and it is dedicated to helping all who are dealing with alcohol or drug addiction.

If you are unsure about the steps you or a loved one needs to take to pursue treatment, call one our admissions navigators today, at . They will be able to provide you with confidential, in-depth information to help start on your path toward recovery.

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