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American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

How to Find Government- or State-Funded Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers Near Me

Many individuals struggling with drug abuse and alcohol addiction do not seek treatment because of the cost. However, even for addicts and alcoholics in need who have no health insurance or who cannot pay for the overall costs of rehab, there are addiction treatment options. These include drug and alcohol treatment programs provided by state-funded rehab centers. If you are wondering, ‘are there state-funded drug and alcohol rehab centers near me?’, the answer is ‘yes’—there may be state-funded rehab facilities accessible near your location.

Last year, only 11% of the over 21 million Americans in need of clinical addiction care received treatment at a rehab facility.1 About 1 in 3 people who needed but did not receive substance abuse treatment reported a lack of healthcare coverage or simply not being able to afford the cost.1

According to a recent report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2017, there were over 2 million admissions to facilities that receive state alcohol and/or drug agency funds for the provision of rehab treatment services.2


What Is A State-Funded Rehab Center?

State-funded drug and alcohol rehab centers are addiction treatment facilities that are funded by tax dollars. Essentially, these state-funded programs accept money from the government in order to provide free drug and alcohol rehab services to people who would otherwise be unable to afford such treatments or who don’t have sufficient insurance coverage.

The specific sources of funding for substance abuse treatment programs can vary by state, although many state-funded alcohol and drug programs receive their funding through a combination of federal grants, reimbursement through Medicaid, and state budgets.

How to Access Rehab With Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare and Medicaid are health insurance programs funded by the state and federal government that offer provisions for substance use disorder treatment.3,4 Medicare is available to Americans over the age of 65 regardless of income and to some people who are under 65, depending on individual cases.4 Medicaid is available to low-income individuals, with eligibility requirements dependent on the state of residency.4 You may be wondering, ‘can I find state-funded drug and alcohol rehabs near me that accept Medicare or Medicaid?’ Many state-funded drug rehabs near you, and in other locations, accept Medicare and Medicaid.

How to Access Rehab Through the Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded coverage so that more Americans have access to health insurance, which includes mental health treatment coverage. Under the ACA, both mental and behavioral health disorders are covered similarly to physical health disorders.5,6 This includes the treatment of substance use disorders, including:5,6

Who Is Eligible for State-Funded Rehabilitation Treatment?

Most state-funded rehab programs have strict eligibility requirements. When applying to state-funded substance abuse programs, you may be asked to show:

  • Proof of US citizenship.
  • Income.
  • That you do not have insurance coverage.
  • Proof of residency within the state that you are seeking rehab treatment.

How Quickly Will Substance Abuse Treatment Begin?

State-funded rehabilitation centers for substance abuse have limited availability and may be difficult to get into. If you are deemed eligible for state-funded drug rehabilitation, there is a good chance that you will be put on a waiting list until a spot in a treatment program becomes available for you. The wait to begin rehabilitation treatment once you have been accepted into a program can take from a couple of weeks up to several months.


What Are the Pros and Cons of State-Funded Rehab Programs?

There are both positive and negative aspects of state-funded drug and alcohol rehabilitation, which may include some of the following factors.

Pros of State-Funded Drug and Alcohol Addiction Rehab Programs

Most state-funded rehab programs offer addiction treatment to eligible individuals at a very low cost or even free of charge. Because of these programs, many individuals are able to get the professional addiction help they need at a price they can afford.

A great benefit of state-funded rehab centers is that the provided treatment is evidence-based and proven to be effective. These rehab centers also employ properly trained staff and certified professionals who are more than capable of helping you to overcome your alcohol or drug addiction.

While attending a state-funded rehab program, you will be surrounded by other participants who are also struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. This is an extremely beneficial aspect of these programs, as it helps to show that you are not alone and allows you to talk with others who are going through similar experiences.

Cons of State-Funded Drug and Alcohol Addiction Rehab Programs

Due to the limited capacity of state-funded rehab facilities, it is common to have to wait until an opening becomes available before you can join a state-funded addiction treatment program. On this same note, some patients reportedly feel that they are released from these treatment programs early in order to open up spots for other individuals.

With limited budgets, many state-funded rehab centers are unable to invest in costly upgrades to their facilities and treatment methodologies. These programs often use older technologies and outdated techniques that might not be as effective as the more recent developments in addiction science that are being utilized by the best private drug and alcohol rehab centers.

Another disadvantage of state-funded rehab is the perceived lack of privacy. Because these programs are in essence run by government institutions, many patients may feel uncomfortable sharing personal information concerning their alcohol or drug addiction. This reluctance to be open during therapy can hinder the effectiveness of their rehab treatment or lead to premature departure from their program.


Video: State-Funded Rehab


Credit: American Addiction Centers


Public vs. Private Rehab Centers

The overall distribution of funding to government-funded rehab centers varies from state to state, and the types of drug and alcohol addiction treatment and services that are provided can vary between different recovery programs within the same state.

Services Offered at Public Rehabs vs. Private Rehabs

Most state-funded rehab centers will only offer short-term programs (such as drug and alcohol detox or medical management), although some centers also offer more long-term rehab treatment that includes both outpatient rehab and residential care.

State-funded rehab generally offers more basic services compared to the treatment provided through private facilities. Whereas some private rehab programs offer luxury hotel-like amenities such as swimming, art classes, yoga, chef-prepared meals, and nature excursions, many state-funded rehab centers will focus on providing counseling, behavioral therapy, addiction classes, and onsite drug tests.


What Is the Cost Difference Between State Rehab and Private Rehabilitation?

The cost of treatment in a state-funded rehab facility is substantially lower than that of a private facility, and many programs are offered to individuals for free.

The actual cost of rehab treatment will depend on an individual’s qualification for the program and the types of addiction treatment and services that are required.

Rehab facilities can be found throughout the U.S. Use the confidential form below to determine what paying for addiction treatment would look like for you or a loved one. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of addiction treatment programs and has locations across the country. A trusted representative from American Addiction Centers can work with you one-on-one beyond an initial form fill to learn about your unique circumstances and treatment options. You can also check your insurance coverage online now to determine whether your health insurance provider will cover the cost of treatment. You can also contact AAC free at to discuss state-sponsored treatment options. Begin here to start your journey to a sober life today.


How to Find State-Funded Rehab Facilities Near Me

If you think you may need addiction treatment and you are wondering, ‘how can I find the best state-funded drug or alcohol rehab centers near me?’, SAMHSA provides a directory of Single State Agencies (SSAs) for substance use services to help you find local state-funded alcohol and drug rehab facilities. SSAs for drug and alcohol abuse are the state government agencies that coordinate the delivery of services to individuals with substance use disorders.7

Although SSAs are also responsible for providing substance use prevention services and guidance to the entire population of their states, a large majority of their resources is dedicated to providing addiction treatment to individuals who have no insurance or low incomes.8 Using the information found in this directory, you can contact the corresponding agency in your state to find out if you qualify for any of their funded programs through a treatment center near you.

Once you determine the state-funded rehab programs that you may be eligible to enroll in, you can narrow down the list of drug and alcohol treatment facilities in your state to those that most closely meet your needs.

The Treatment Services Locator, provided by SAMHSA, is a useful tool that allows you to find nearby treatment centers based on your home address.9 Your search results can be filtered based on any specific requirements you may have regarding treatment settings (such as outpatient or residential), specific payments accepted, the availability of payment assistance, and special programs and groups offered. These could include women’s drug and alcohol rehab treatment, co-ed rehab programs, couples’ rehab treatment, and programs for persons with dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders.


Contact Us

You may be looking for drug and alcohol rehab treatment in Florida, Georgia, California, Louisiana, Oregon, Illinois, Tennessee, Delaware, North Carolina, Missouri, Texas, or anywhere else in the US. You might want to find the best rehab facilities near you or out-of-state rehab programs. You could be seeking short-term or long-term treatment for a problem with methamphetamine, marijuana, opioids, alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, or prescription drug abuse. Perhaps you want to find government-funded detox centers near you or government-funded rehabs near you that take Medicaid. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please know that you are not alone. Rehab facilities are located throughout the U.S., and many offer specialized treatment that can cater to individual needs. You can contact SAMHSA’s national helpline for advice and referrals.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of addiction treatment programs and has trusted facilities across the country. For advice on treatment options available, including state-funded rehabilitation programs, please call us free at today.


FAQs on State-Funded Rehabs

How are state rehabs funded?

State-funded rehabilitation programs are funded through federal grants, reimbursement through Medicaid and their state budget.

Why do people not like state-funded addiction rehabs?

Most people prefer to be as comfortable as possible during their drug addiction treatment and recovery. For this reason, many people opt to undergo treatment in a private rehab facility where more treatment options and amenities are available.

Can state-funded rehabs violate the free-exercise clause?

The free-exercise clause pertains to an individual’s right to freedom of conscience and free expression of religious beliefs.10 (Freedom Forum Institute. (2011). Free-Exercise Clause Overview). Under this part of the first amendment of the Bill of Rights, it can be viewed that state-funded rehab facilities mandating faith-based substance abuse treatment (particularly when no non-faith-based option is available) are forcing individuals to participate in certain religious activities.

For people who choose not to subscribe to any form of religion, these recovery programs would appear to be in violation of the free-exercise clause.

It can also be argued that state-funded faith-based substance abuse treatment is in violation of the establishment clause, the other part of the first amendment that prohibits the government from establishing a religion, preferring one religion over another or preferring religion over non-religion.11 In this regard, several legal cases have previously addressed the constitutionality of government-funded faith-based treatment centers.12

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