Expert Insights
According to the 2023 Arkansas Drug Threat Assessment, marijuana is the most frequently used illicit drug in Arkansas, and youth are high consumers. The report found that 43.6% of 9th through 12th graders in Arkansas have used marijuana at least once in their lifetime.
These data are alarming given the mounting evidence that links marijuana use prior to the age of 18 with a significantly higher risk of developing a cannabis use disorder and possible cognitive and psychological impairment.
Studies suggest that teenagers using cannabis are four to seven times more likely than the general population to develop these disorders. But there’s hope and help for Arkansas youth experiencing dependency. Of the state’s more than 200 addiction recovery facilities, more than a quarter of those offer specialized, age-specific programs for adolescents and young adults.
~ Rita Milios, LCSW, SAP
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in Arkansas?
Arkansas is ranked 3rd nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of addiction treatment of $53,036.
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $130,753
- Inpatient rehab in Arkansas costs an average of $46,801
- Outpatient rehab in Arkansas costs and average of $7,777
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $6,909
How to Pay for Rehab in Arkansas
As of 2020, there were over 170 rehab facilities across the state of Arkansas. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those facilities, the following numbers reflect how many accept their respective payment methods:
151 accept self-payment or cash
106 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
124 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
109 accept state funded insurance coverage
143 accept private health insurance
107 offer free or low-cost treatment
4 offer free treatment for all clients
13 accept tribal funding
Medicaid
Arkansas is one of the states that adopted Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Their Medicaid program is known as Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me (ARHOME). You can qualify for ARHOME if your household income is 138% of the federal poverty line. You don’t need to pay fees or premiums if your income falls within that range. The state will buy insurance for you. The two companies that they buy from are Blue Cross Blue Shield and Ambetter. ARHOME covers substance use treatment and has additional support for people from rural parts of Arkansas who are dealing with addiction.
Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people over 65 or for people who are disabled. It covers addiction treatment at every level including residential drug and alcohol rehab. In Arkansas, some Medicare eligible people may qualify for discounts and cost savings plans. You can use a program called the Arkansas Senior Health Insurance Information Program to help connect you to the programs you’re eligible for.
Native American Health Benefits
If you’re a member of a federally recognized tribe, native Alaskan, or native Hawaiian who lives in Arkansas, you have several options for healthcare. You’re eligible to get health insurance from the Arkansas marketplace without having to pay premiums if you make up to 300% of the federal poverty level. You can also participate in free grant funded programs for treating substance use at the American Indian Center of Arkansas.
Military Insurance
You may be eligible for military benefits if you serve or have served in the armed forces. The Veterans Administration (VA) has every level of addiction treatment embedded within each of their health systems. If you get your health care at the VA, your primary care provider can refer you to the right service, or you may be able to self refer. If you have TRICARE, they also cover substance use treatment. You can get care with any of their network providers. In 2025 Arkansas will become part of the TRICARE West network, but prior to that it’s part of the TRICARE East network. If you have CHAMPVA benefits, you can also get substance use treatment, but you may need to check which facilities take your benefits. Some VA health centers take CHAMPVA and some services in the TRICARE network take CHAMPVA.
Private Insurance
Most treatment providers will allow you to pay them directly and many take private health insurance. You may be eligible for subsidized health insurance as a result of the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. To have these subsidies applied to your health insurance, you should buy it through My Arkansas Insurance, the Arkansas health insurance marketplace. The following are major health insurers in Arkansas:
- Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
- QualChoice Health Insurance
- Ambetter of Arkansas
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Wellcare
Other Low-Cost Options
Some providers use an income based sliding scale for people who pay them directly. They may not advertise this feature, so you should call and ask about this option. Addiction treatment centers in Arkansas that aren’t for profit are exempt from paying taxes and need to prove they benefit the community to earn their tax exempt status. Therefore, you may be able to get help from those agencies if you ask about it. Some faith-based organizations give free faith based addiction care.
Free Rehabs in Arkansas
If you live in Arkansas, there are resources you can access to help you afford substance abuse treatment. The state of Arkansas gives funding for drug treatment to make it more attainable and accessible for Arkansas residents. This funding goes to agencies in the form of grants. Agencies that accept those grants use them to treat people who can’t afford to pay and who may not have health insurance. Many of these agencies limit who they help by the county they live in, but some will take people from anywhere in the state.
You may also be able to apply for financial aid to cover the costs of treatment. Many nonprofit healthcare organizations have this option, but you may have to ask about it. There are also faith-based organizations that operate free rehab centers.
Free Addiction Treatment Resources in Arkansas
Community Health Centers of Arkansas
Community Health Centers of Arkansas is a coalition of twelve different organizations that provide primary health care with integrated substance use treatment to Arkansans. These health centers receive funding from the federal government that allows them to treat you even if you don’t have insurance and have limited means. They’re a good place to start because they can assess what level of care you need and their case managers can refer you to treatment that suits your needs.
Arisa Health Recovery Residence At Mills
Arisa Health Recovery Residence is a drug and alcohol rehab with 40 beds for adult men and women. They receive grant money from the state that enables them to care for people who don’t have insurance. Your stay there would typically last between 28 and 35 days. The organization they’re part of integrates mental health, primary care, and substance use services. Integration allows them to better coordinate all your care needs if you choose to continue using their services as an outpatient.
Harbor House
Harbor House has a full spectrum of addiction services that range from low-intensity counseling to high-intensity residential drug rehab. They have gender specific and coed treatment. These programs are capable of treating your addiction in the context of other mental health conditions you may have. If you’re in need of a sober environment upon discharge, they also operate transitional housing programs.
Recovery Centers Arkansas
Recovery Centers Arkansas is an addiction treatment center with services including a residential program, intensive outpatient and transitional housing. They have also teamed up with the VA to supplement some of their substance abuse treatment services for military veterans. The state funding they receive allows them to provide care for people who don’t have insurance.
BHG Recovery
Behavioral Health Group (BHG) operates methadone clinics throughout the country, with several locations in Arkansas. They match you to the right intensity of opioid treatment for you. As your treatment needs change, they have the flexibility to change with you. They take health insurance including Medicare and Medicaid.
Drug Laws In Arkansas
Drug Court
Arkansas has adult and juvenile drug court programs in most counties. These are voluntary programs that allow people whose crimes are related to their substance use to seek treatment instead of being prosecuted under criminal charges. Drug courts involve intensive case management, community service, frequent random urine drug screens, and treatment.
Marijuana Law
Recreational cannabis is illegal in Arkansas. If you get caught with an ounce or less and it’s your first offense, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and a fine of up to $2,500. The charges become heavier if you have more than an ounce and if it’s not your first offense. Medical marijuana is legal in Arkansas. You must have a qualifying condition to be eligible for a medical marijuana card.
Employment Drug Testing
Employers who participate in the Arkansas Drug Free Workplace program are required to drug test potential employees before hiring them. They can also drug test their current employees. If they’re part of the Drug Free Workplace program, there are situations where they’re required to test their employees, such as after an accident where there was an injury. If you have a medical marijuana card, employers can’t use that as a reason to discriminate against you for the job you’re applying for.
Involuntary Treatment For Drug Use
Arkansas has a law that allows for forced treatment of someone who is using drugs or alcohol. Anyone can initiate a petition. You must be able to show that the person you’re seeking to commit is putting themselves or someone else in danger, or that they’re severely disabled due to their substance use.
Sources
- Directory of state funded addiction treatment centers that take people without insurance: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/DAABHS-CSAT-8-Funded-Providers-Map-and-Contact-Info_.pdf
- Methadone clinics in Arkansas that take Medicaid – BHG: https://www.bhgrecovery.com/locations?lat=35.20105&lon=-91.8318334&searched=Arkansas&providers=Medicaid
- Community Health Centers of Arkansas Member Organizations: https://www.chc-ar.org/arkansas-health-centers
- Arkansas Medicaid: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/medical-services/healthcare-programs/arhome/
- Medicare – Arkansas SHIIP – to help navigate Medicare application: https://insurance.arkansas.gov/site/assets/files/2100/2024quickguide_final_1.pdf
