Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in Georgia, GA

The US nationwide opioid epidemic started during the 1990s, with increased opioid prescribing and opioid overdose deaths.¹ Over 1.2 million Georgia residents (11.95% of the state’s population) use drugs and 377,000 residents (3.58% of the state’s population) abuse alcohol in a given year.²

From 2010 to 2020, the total number of opioid-related overdose deaths in GA increased by 207%. All these deaths may have involved more than just one substance.³ In 2020, 67% of drug overdose deaths in Georgia were related to opioids.¹

Compared to the average U.S. rate of 51.4 prescriptions, Georgia medical providers wrote 63.2 opioid prescriptions for every 100 persons in 2018, and 57.9 in 2019.⁴

All these numbers underline the importance of easy access to adequate treatment available at different types of facilities. The latest 2019 N-SSATS report lists 358 rehab centers that offer alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs in Georgia.⁵

What Are the Different Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs Offered in Georgia?

There’s a large number of different rehab centers in the State of Georgia that offer help to individuals with drug or alcohol abuse issues. Having access to the full range of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services is essential to meet the needs of all patients. Types of alcohol and drug addiction treatment centers in Georgia include:⁶

• Outpatient treatment.
• Intensive outpatient treatment.
• Residential treatment.
• Detoxification.
• Medications.
• Recovery support services.

Ongoing treatment and recovery support involve dealing with physical dependence as well as addressing behavioral and psychosocial skills needed for maintaining recovery. Treatment could depend upon a number of factors, like substance use history, co-occurring disorders, treatment availability, cost/payment options, family support, and legal requirements.⁶

Inpatient or Residential Treatment Programs in Georgia 

Inpatient alcohol and drug rehab is often referred to as residential treatment. This is 24-hour care, so the patient doesn’t leave the treatment facility. Living at the rehab centers in Georgia helps avoid the temptations and influences of daily life that can trigger substance use. Inpatient treatment programs can be long or short-term:⁷

• Long-term drug rehab Georgia is provided in residential treatment centers in Georgia. This type of treatment offers around-the-clock care, typically in a non-hospital setting but with medical support provided on-site. These programs vary in length, although one of the best-known models is the therapeutic community (TC), which can last between 6 and 12 months.
• Short-term residential treatment in Georgia tends to last shorter than three months, but the treatment is usually expected to continue through outpatient programs, offered both by specialized residential treatment facilities and hospitals.

Outpatient Treatment Programs in Georgia 

Outpatient programs offer similar services as the inpatient ones, but without the need to stay at a treatment center. The person can live at home and visit a rehab facility for structured treatment sessions. Outpatient treatment programs are usually required a few hours per day, a few days per week.⁸

Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Georgia 

It’s a quite common occurrence that people abusing substances also suffer from mental health issues at the same time. Overlapping of drug and alcohol abuse with mental health issues is usually diagnosed as co-occurring disorders and called dual diagnosis.⁹ Different mental health challenges, mostly depression or anxiety, often prove to be the core reason for misuse of drugs or alcohol.⁹

Around 7.7 million adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with both mental health and substance use disorder. Among people who use substances, around 38% also have a mental health diagnosis.⁹ In Georgia, 232 facilities treat clients with diagnosed co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.⁵ Around 50% of Georgia rehabilitation centers treat co-occurring disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and alcohol and drug use disorders.¹⁰

Additionally, American Addiction Centers (AAC) is one of the facilities that offer an integrated treatment of mental health conditions and addiction. Providing a dual diagnosis and tailoring treatment to address a person’s unique diagnoses through behavioral therapies and medication improves the chances of a positive outcome when it comes to treating alcohol and drug use.¹¹

Mental health and alcohol and drug use are often intertwined. Considering that every 6 out of 10 individuals dealing with substance use issues also suffer from some form of mental illness (with similar rates for alcohol users), those seeking treatment for SUD will most likely need assessment for the possible occurrence of other conditions. Taking into consideration and treating all possible illnesses together is generally proven to have the best outcomes for such patients.¹²

What to Expect in Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers in Georgia?

When you or your loved one come to a decision to seek out alcohol and drug treatment, you can expect an established sequence of admission steps that addiction rehab centers in Georgia adhere to.

Most admissions navigators are available for support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some are in recovery themselves, so they can truly understand what you are going through. There’s usually a pre-screening step to develop an understanding of the patient’s clinical needs and requirements to attend treatment. After that, a patient can get a personalized treatment recommendation based on individual needs and personal circumstances.

As part of the intake process, screening the patients is a necessary first step that enables them to receive a full and correct diagnosis. This is important for establishing the appropriate treatment regimen. Co-occurring disorders can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because symptoms of various mental health conditions and SUDs often overlap.¹³

Many Georgia rehab centers for alcohol and drug treatment are equipped to treat co-occurring disorders. Integrated treatment that addresses symptoms of both disorders is generally more effective than treating each of them separately.¹³

Before admission, navigators provide patients with a detailed list of important items to bring, as well as a list of items that are prohibited from facility grounds, depending on which facility you or your loved one attends.¹³ Packing list should be in accordance with the particular rehabilitation center’s policy. Each facility’s specific policy on electronics can be a little different, so if it’s important to the patient, they should ask the staff for details before choosing a facility.¹⁴

Some specific adjustments need to be taken into consideration when packing for treatment in Georgia, like the state climate, temperatures, and season. Tropical air dominates the climate in the summertime, with cooler polar air being quite common during other seasons, with drier east-central parts. Northern GA, has more evenly distributed rain throughout the seasons, with summer rains in the southern or coastal parts. Snow is pretty rare, except for the mountainous counties.¹⁵

Where to Find the Best Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers in Georgia? 

According to the 2019 N-SSATS report, there are 358 substance abuse rehab centers in GA, of which:⁵

• 93 or 26.0% are private non-profit.
• 199 or 55.6% are private for-profit.
• 7 or 2% are the local, county, or community government.
• 50 or 14% are the state government.
• 9 or 2.5% are the federal government.

The number of Georgia treatment centers that offer outpatient care is 303. There are 70 residential (non-hospital) ones and 27 hospital inpatient ones. Around 40.000 to 45.000 people are admitted to rehabilitation centers in Georgia each year. About 76.6% of patients are dealing with both alcohol and drug abuse.⁵

What makes Georgia a popular rehab destination are probably its natural environment characteristics. With beautiful countryside connecting mountain views with white-sand beaches, a temperate climate with all four seasons, GA is one of the very best places to stay in the South.¹⁶

What’s more, the state’s landscape shows considerable contrasts. Because of its mountains-to-the-sea topography, Georgia is rich with a wide spectrum of natural vegetation and wildlife.¹⁵ The Atlantic coast’s secluded white, sandy beaches, as well as peaceful ranches and plantations offer a much-needed escape from the stress of everyday life.¹⁶

Additionally, this is a state with a progressive mental health program. There are regional hospitals for evaluation, emergency, and short-term treatment throughout the state. There are dozens of community health care centres for outpatient treatment in Georgia.¹⁵

Where to Find Alcohol and Drug Detox Centers in Georgia?

When it comes to safe detox care and guidance in Georgia detox centers, there are 58 outpatient, 14 residential non-hospital, and 27 hospital inpatient rehab centers that offer alcohol and drug detox in Georgia.⁵

Detox centers in Georgia are mostly located in larger cities: Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Savannah. There are free alcohol and drug treatment centers or low-cost ones, as well as luxury private rehabs. Rehab centers in Georgia provide patients with a controlled environment and safe conditions for withdrawal, with the supervision of medical professionals.¹⁷

An alcohol and drug detox program will most likely be the first step of one’s recovery. People who develop a strong dependence on a substance often experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that could potentially be dangerous if the use is stopped cold-turkey at home, without proper guidance. Medical professionals often administer medications to ease the symptoms and decrease the risk of complications.¹⁸

Does My Insurance Cover Addiction Treatment in Georgia?

Most people seeking the best rehabs in Georgia either use private or state-funded insurance plans. The cost of treatment depends on several factors: the type of care required, whether it’s inpatient or outpatient, the type of facility, and the amenities. Costs also depend on whether you choose a state-funded or privately-funded program.¹⁹ The state of Georgia utilizes federally-facilitated health insurance exchange.²⁰

Private health insurance coverage is more prevalent than public coverage, and employment-based insurance is the most common subtype. Carriers, plans, and policies are examined on an individual basis. If you’re unable to secure medical coverage through an employer, you can look for health insurance companies that offer individual medical plans in Georgia.²¹

Most major insurance carriers are accepted, including Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, MultiPlan, Amerigroup.²¹

Different types of mental health and addiction insurance include:²²

• Employer private insurance.
• Individual private insurance.
• Medicaid.
• Medicare.
• Government employees, veterans, and military, and their families are eligible for TRICARE.

AAC accepts most types of private insurance and offers a variety of payment options. You can check your insurance benefits to find out if you’re covered for drug and alcohol addiction treatment and if your provider is in-network with American Addiction Centers at any of the locations. You can do this by filling out our online contact form, using our live chat, or via a telephone call.

How to Pay for Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Georgia Without Insurance? 

Since drug and alcohol abuse and addiction are major public health problems, a large portion of treatment is funded by local, state, and federal governments.¹²

US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid maintain that mental health and substance abuse treatments are essential health benefits and, as such, they should be covered by all marketplace plans. This includes behavioral health, mental health, and SUD treatment as well.²³

Are There Free Rehab Centers in Georgia? 

Around 33.5% of facilities in GA receive federal, state, county, or local government funds or grants for substance use treatment programs.¹⁰ No-cost drug rehab centers in Georgia can be found using online resources.

Free inpatient drug rehab centers in Georgia, as well as low-cost rehab facilities, exist across the country, and a lot of others accept Medicaid. There are state-funded rehabs in Georgia since individual states set aside funds to help people without insurance.²⁴

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 require health insurers and group health plans to provide the same level of benefits for mental and/or substance use treatment that they do for medical and surgical care.²⁵

Even though finding appropriate treatment can oftentimes prove to be a complicated process, there are resources to help you with this task. One of them is NIDA’s handbook Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What to Ask, which can provide you with advice and guidance when searching for a drug and alcohol detox treatment. Many online resources can direct you toward local programs or other useful information.

The website findtreatment.gov is run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It’s an aggregator of information on different types of drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs and their locations all over the country.²⁶

The National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health America are nonprofit, self-help support organizations for individuals struggling with different mental disorders. They consist of state and local affiliates and can be particularly helpful for those with comorbid conditions.²⁶

Free drug rehab in Georgia can also be found by participating in clinical trials. NIDA’s National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network provides information for those interested in participating in a clinical trial testing a promising substance abuse intervention.

How to Choose a Drug Rehab Center in GA? 

There are multiple important principles to consider when choosing a treatment option for yourself or a loved one:¹²

• There’s no treatment that works for everyone. It has to be adapted according to the type of substance and the individual traits of each patient. Treatment settings and services need to take into consideration an individual’s distinct problems, which is critical for their successful return to society as productive members.
• Additionally, for treatment to be effective, it has to attend to all the needs an individual patient might have apart from their drug or alcohol abuse, so any psychological, medical, social, or even legal problems should be considered. The treatment should also take into consideration the patient’s gender and age, as well as culture.
• Drug and alcohol abuse or addiction are mental disorders and as such, they might overlap with other mental disorders, so people suffering from one of them usually need to be assessed for others too. There’s a number of dual diagnosis treatment centers in GA, mostly in cities like Atlanta, Augusta, Athens, or Roswell.
• Appropriate treatment needs to approach all present conditions, and include the use of medication if needed. Medically assisted detoxification is only the first stage of treatment and patients should be encouraged to continue with further drug treatment strategies, to improve treatment engagement.

Facility Accreditation

Reputable drug and alcohol rehab centers in Georgia are accredited by well-known and respected state and national agencies, like SAMHSA, The Joint Commission, or CARF. The Alcohol Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia offers different levels of certification .²⁷

As far as accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in GA are concerned, you can rely on The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and The Joint Commission Accreditation for Addiction Treatment Providers for relevant and accurate information.²⁸

Among the accredited treatment centers is AAC that evaluates its outcomes and shares the results publicly. The AAC offers diagnostic testing, evaluation, and tailoring the treatment plan to meet each patient’s needs. They are also known for high-quality, integrated care for co-occurring disorders, as well as compassionate, well-trained clinicians.

Part of the American Addiction Centers (AAC) family of facilities, Texas-based Greenhouse Treatment Center specializes in co-occurring disorders and comprehensive care that includes mental health treatment. It’s located in Grand Prairie, TX, with its luxurious spa-like environment and high-end amenities, as well as the flexibility you need to create a plan that is right for you.

This treatment at this facility comes with a 90-day promise. This means that if you successfully go through 90 consecutive days at an American Addiction Centers facility, you’ll have a solid base for long-term sobriety. In case you have a relapse, the center will welcome you back for another 30 days of treatment free of charge.

Nationwide Treatment Facility Locations

Sometimes it’s hard to find the kind of treatment you need near you and, if circumstances allow, you shouldn’t settle for subpar drug and alcohol programs just because they’re close to home. This can be a waste of both your time and money. Enrolling in a treatment program that provides everything one might need to heal improves the chances of a successful recovery.

AAC operates treatment centers nationwide, in 26 locations in eight states of the U.S., so it can match you with a specific facility that is the best fit for each unique situation. Some of the top-rated AAC rehab facilities across the U.S. are:

• A high-end addiction treatment center in Mississippi
• High-quality drug and alcohol rehab in Virginia
• Leading addiction treatment facility in New York
• Inpatient and outpatient care in Nevada
• Substance use disorder treatment in Tennessee
• Luxury addiction treatment center in California
  

If you’re looking for high-quality substance abuse treatment centers in GA or any of our other locations, you can call our helpline or fill out the form below to check your coverage and get all the information you need.