Paying for Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Athens
Treatment program costs are often a deciding factor in whether an individual attends rehab and therapy. While long-term treatment can become costly, paying for alcohol and drug rehab in Athens, Georgia, shouldn’t get in the way of receiving quality care from a licensed professional.
Some free drug and alcohol rehab options in Athens, Georgia, include:
- Family Counseling Services, Inc.
- Advantage Women’s Services
- Overlook at Hancock Village
- Advantage Pavilion for Behavioral Health
- The Athens Clinic
What most people don’t know is that there are plenty of options for all income levels, especially for Athens drug rehabs:
Medicaid: Medicaid is a federal program that offers health coverage to low-income individuals and families. However, are some exceptions when it comes to who can and cannot receive coverage.5 You also must meet the program’s eligibility requirements, which include proof that your income level is below the federal poverty line and that you’re a legal resident of the state you’ll be attending rehab.5
Medicare: Medicare provides health insurance to people over 65 and those with certain disabilities. Medicare covers various substance abuse treatment services and prevention.
Private Insurance: Having health insurance coverage is one of the best ways to make treatment and recovery more affordable. Virtually all health insurance providers include behavioral health benefits, and all drug rehab centers accept private health insurance. However, you’ll want to get in touch with your provider to discuss exactly what is covered, and you’ll need to make sure that your intended facility is in-network with your provider.
Sliding Scale Program: State-funded drug rehabilitation centers offer either free or low-cost care for individuals without any other financial options. Depending on the facility, you may be offered free care, special financing plans, scholarships, and so on. This covers most types of treatment, including inpatient care, outpatient care, and even methadone clinics that provide medication for opioid substance use treatment.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Stats in Athens, Georgia
Some of the most recent statistics involving opioid use, overdoses, and treatment in Athens and Clarke County include:1
By 2018, Clarke County saw a total of 60 emergency room visits for opioid overdoses.
Of those 60 overdoses, 36 were by men, while 24 were by women.
Of those 60 overdoses, 38 were by white people, while 21 were by African Americans
Most of those overdose cases happened to people between the ages of 25 and 34.
There were also a total of 8 opioid-related deaths in 2018.
From 2016 to 2018, heroin steadily rose as the primary substance behind these opioid-related deaths.
From 2016 to 2018, white people accounted for most opioid-related deaths in Clarke County.
Georgia Drug and Alcohol Laws
Here are some relevant drug and alcohol-related laws in Georgia:1
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008: This law requires insurance providers to cover drug rehab to the same extent they cover other medical treatments, increasing access to addiction treatment.
Georgia Naloxone Access Law: In Georgia, you can receive a prescription for naloxone (Narcan) if you know someone who is at risk of an overdose. If you are at risk of an opioid overdose, you can also receive naloxone from a pharmacist without a prescription
The Georgia 911 Medical Amnesty Law: This Georgia overdose law provides limited legal immunity to those who call 911 to seek help for someone experiencing an overdose, meaning they won’t get prosecuted for drug possession.
Resources
- Georgia Department of Public Health. (2018). Opioid Overdose Surveillance Preliminary County Report.
- The Council on Alcohol and Drugs. (n.d.). Good Samaritan 911 Fatal Overdose Prevention Law.
- Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services. (n.d.) Medicaid Eligibility.
- The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. (n.d.). Visit Athens GA.
