Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics in Ames, IA
Like many cities in the Midwest, Ames has experienced a surge in the misuse of opioids and other drugs and associated overdoses in recent years. The following statistics illustrate the extent and impact of drug use in Story County and the corresponding region:
About 23% of residents reported heavy drinking or binge drinking in 2020.
About 6 deaths for every 100,000 people in 2020 were from an overdose.
About 20% of driving deaths were from alcohol-impaired driving in 2020.
Close to 500 residents were admitted for drug or alcohol misuse treatment in 2017.
About 200 residents were admitted for alcohol misuse treatment in 2017.
Nearly 110 residents were admitted for methamphetamine misuse treatment in 2017.
About 100 residents were arrested for methamphetamine-related incidents in 2018.
How to Pay for Addiction Treatment in Iowa
The following are various ways to finance your recovery program:
Private Insurance
If you have private health insurance from the Healthcare Marketplace or through your place of employment, you can use your insurance to cover the cost of drug and alcohol rehab. By law, your provider is required to cover addiction treatment services to the extent they cover medical services. This means they will likely provide partial or full coverage for treatment.
Iowa Medicaid
Iowa Medicaid is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for low-income people and families who don’t have access to private insurance. You can use Iowa Medicaid to cover the cost of drug rehab in Ames.
Medicare
Iowa Medicare provides health insurance coverage to people aged 65 and older. Like Medicaid, Medicare covers substance abuse treatment services, such as inpatient and outpatient rehab as well as substance abuse assessments.
TRICARE in Iowa
Iowa is located in the West Region for TRICARE, a government program providing health insurance coverage for military personnel, veterans, and their families. You can use TRICARE to cover the cost of drug and alcohol rehab, making it more accessible.
Sliding Scale Payment Options
If a free rehab is full or has a long waiting list, you can apply to a sliding scale rehab, which only charges you what you can reasonably pay based on your income.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
The Indian Health Services provides funding for some Iowa drug and alcohol rehab centers, making them able to provide free treatment to Indigenous people.
Resources
- Story County Public Health. (n.d.). 2020 Story County Community Health Assessment.
