Free Drug Rehab Centers

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Many who find themselves in need of drug or alcohol rehab are hesitant to seek it due to treatment costs. The truth is that costs vary greatly depending on what care is needed and the length of treatment. Those with insurance or those who need only a few days or weeks of treatment can find affordable rehab centers with relative ease. However, those without insurance or who need lengthy treatment stays with medical supervision may be unable to afford the cost of rehab. Luckily, the variety of drug rehab treatment options available can lead to affordable treatment, or even free drug rehab altogether.

Regardless of whether you’re seeking medical supervised detox, inpatient rehab, or outpatient services, there are affordable options out there. Free drug rehab centers exist in many forms: some are faith-based recovery programs, others are state-funded drug rehab facilities, and a large amount are non-profit drug rehab centers. This article will help guide you to finding free drug rehab centers that best suit your recovery goals and needs.

Finding Free Rehab Centers

If you are searching for free rehab centers, you can start with the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which lists treatment centers throughout the United States. The SAMHSA search tool allows you to search for free drug rehabs based on your chosen criteria that best suit your needs.¹ You can search by local area, types of programs offered, and many other criteria to assist you with your search for a free rehab center.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) a leading provider of drug and alcohol addiction and dual diagnosis treatment nationwide. AAC is in network with many of the top insurance providers in the U.S. Use the form below to find out instantly if your insurance benefits cover some or all of the cost of treatment.

Free State-Funded Drug Rehab

Another place you can search for a free drug rehab program could be through your state or local government. Many state, city, and county programs offer access to low-cost or free rehab centers if you meet certain criteria. The criteria for receiving treatment varies but is often based on income or lack of health insurance coverage. It’s worth noting that treatment from state-funded drug rehabs may be limited by the financial situation of the facility.

Services provided by county- or state-funded drug rehab programs vary. To locate information about these low-cost or free state funded drug rehabs, look for your state’s alcohol treatment authority. For example, in New York, you can search for state funded drug rehab programs by going to the Office of Addiction Services and Support.² In Texas, you can locate state-funded drug rehab programs by accessing the search tool at the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.³ You can also search for county substance abuse treatment programs or local mental health centers to gather information about state funded drug rehab programs in your area.

Faith-Based Recovery Programs

Throughout the United States, numerous faith-based recovery programs offer free or low-cost treatment. The treatment provided works for many people and is delivered in a basic environment in most cases. Faith-based recovery programs will usually emphasize religion, self-reflection, and service over medical treatment. Participants may be required to work in exchange for free or low-cost services. The Salvation Army and local rescue missions are examples of faith-based recovery programs.⁴

Church attendance is also mandatory in many faith-based recovery programs. You need to determine if the incorporation of a specific religious belief system is an approach you are comfortable with. If you are interested in a faith-based recovery program, you can contact the Salvation Army, or you can reach out to a religious leader in your community who can connect you to similar programs in your area.

In addition to inpatient treatment, various 12-step groups have a spiritual focus. These peer groups provide a safe place for those who struggle with addiction to meet with others who are in recovery. 12-step groups are helpful for aftercare, but are not a replacement for medically supervised detox or rehab. This is especially the case if withdrawal symptoms from substances, alcohol, benzos, or heroin, can be deadly. The classic examples of the 12-Step group are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).^{5; 6} Celebrate Recovery is another self-help group with a spiritual focus.⁷

More Drug Rehab Treatment Options

If state-funded recovery programs and faith-based recovery programs don’t fit you needs, there are other options that you can explore to help with the cost of rehab include:

Insurance. If you have insurance, call to discuss your benefits and coverage. Oftentimes, insurance companies have a network of providers who can provide quality rehab treatment at a reduced cost for recipients. Coverage can vary greatly depending on things like copays, deductibles, and your insurance plan, but never hurts to call and ask.
Scholarships. If you are interested in a rehab program, call and ask if they offer any scholarships. At times, programs offer a full or partial scholarship for those seeking treatment. These scholarships may be offered only once or twice a year.
Loans. Many programs offer a self-pay option for rehab. These treatment programs may offer a payment plan, which allows you to pay the cost of the program over months. Many programs are willing to work with you to find a way to help you get rehab services.
12 Step Programs/Support Groups. Free support groups are a great tool to augment your recovery. They may not be able to replace medical treatment, but 12-Step and other support groups can be a good start as you search for free rehab centers.
Friends/Family. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family to see if they are willing or able to assist you in paying for rehab. You may be able to arrange to borrow the money and pay them back, or in some cases, your family may pay for treatment for you.
Research studies or clinical trials. You may be able to locate a research study being conducted by a local university, which may offer free drug rehab or treatment. These clinical trials and research studies often have specific criteria, such as age or specific types of drug addiction. Check the websites of any research institutions and universities in your area. You can also do an internet search for “drug treatment research recruitment” or “study of alcohol abuse seeking research subjects.”
Your primary care physician. Your primary care physician may be able to work with you to create a treatment plan at minimal cost by offering you services in his or her office. Your doctor may also be able to link you to other resources in the community to help you find free drug rehab centers.
Local non-profit programs. Many communities have programs to provide treatment and support for specific groups of people. For example, women’s organizations, such as domestic violence outreach programs, may also offer addiction treatment. Outreach programs for the LGBTQ population also offer resources for counseling and sometimes substance abuse treatment. If you are pregnant, the local health department can also connect you to free drug rehab centers to address substance abuse issues and link you to treatment.

American Addiction Centers Can Help

American Addiction Centers is committed to helping everyone struggling with addiction find treatment. If you are looking for help, and not sure where to start, you can call our confidential helpline and speak with one of our admissions navigators.

As mentioned above, there are alternative ways to find treatment if you are not financially available to do so. Remember that your life matters and while it can be hard, don’t give up.

To speak with one of our dedicated team members, you can reach us at .

If you have questions about the admissions process and what to expect when you call, check out these guides below. They should answer your questions.