Kentucky Drug and Alcohol Use Statistics
Kentucky has a population of nearly 4.5 million. According to Kentucky participants in the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), alcohol and drug misuse is prevalent across the state.
Results of the survey show that in the year before the survey:1
A total of 557,000 residents misused marijuana (14.9%)
A total of 60,000 residents misused cocaine (1.62%)
A total of 24,000 residents misused heroin (1.26%)
A total of 48,000 residents misused methamphetamines (1.30%)
A total of 128,000 residents misused prescription pain relievers
A total of 224,000 residents had an illicit drug use disorder
A total of 39,000 residents had a prescription pain reliever use disorder
A total of 304,000 residents had an alcohol use disorder (8.12%)
Only a small percentage of people misusing substances or with a substance use disorder received treatment at a drug rehab center in Kentucky. NSDUH found out of 463,000 Kentucky participants, 22,000 received treatment at a specialty facility.1
Some of the alcohol and drug misuses led to overdose-related deaths. The Kentucky counties with the highest number include:2
- Knott with 121.69
- Clark with 104.3
- Bourbon with 98.43
- Henry with 87.87
- Carter with 82.34
Existing and new programs receive local, state, and federal funding for prevention and intervention services, including drug and alcohol rehabs in Kentucky.
How Much Does Drug Rehab in Kentucky Cost?
Many factors determine the cost to attend drug rehab in Kentucky, including location, amenities, funding sources, length of stay, and what percentage you or your insurance can pay. It may also depend on which type of Kentucky drug rehab you attend. For example, a faith-based program will be different than a public, state-funded program or a private luxury drug and alcohol rehab.
Recent reports prove there are drug and alcohol rehabs in Kentucky to meet everyone’s financial status. As of 2020, the following existed:3
447 facilities take cash or self-payment
190 facilities offer treatment free or low-cost for people who cannot pay
382 facilities accept Medicaid
219 facilities accept Medicare
357 facilities accept private health insurance
190 facilities offer treatment free or low-cost for people who cannot pay
189 facilities accept military health insurance
How to Find Low-Cost and Free Rehabs in Kentucky
State-funded programs exist to offer inpatient and outpatient services to Kentucky residents. State-funded alcohol and drug rehabs in Kentucky receive money designated explicitly for providing treatment to no-income or low-income people with a substance use disorder.
The quickest and easiest way to find a state-funded drug rehab in Kentucky is by calling our support team. After a few questions, you will be connected with a program that matches your needs. You may also contact the Kentucky Cabinet of Health and Family Services or visit its provider directory on its website.
Here you can enter the type of service you need and the county where you want to receive free or low-cost services. You will receive a list of all the programs matching your needs, plus the treatments they offer and contact information. Then you will need to call each Kentucky drug rehab to find the one that is right for you.4
Do Medicare and Medicaid Cover Alcohol and Drug Rehab?
Medicare and Medicaid are excellent funding sources that cover drug rehab in Kentucky. Because of the Mental Parity and Addiction Equality Act and the Affordable Care Act, both insurance plans now offer expanded coverage for substance misuse that, at least, matches the coverage provided for medical and surgical care.
Medicare is a program for Kentucky residents 65 and older or younger than 65 with a disability. Medicare is divided into parts:5
- Part A pays for all inpatient services
- Part B pays for all outpatient services
- Part D pays for prescriptions, including medication-assisted treatments
Medicaid is a program for anyone under the age of 65 who meets the income eligibility criteria, typically a portion of the poverty level in Kentucky. Considerations include how many are in your household and how much you earn per year in income. For example, a single person making $18,075 or less qualifies for benefits. Likewise, a couple with one child making $30,360 or less each year can benefit from Medicaid.5
Does Private Insurance Cover Addiction Treatment?
The Affordable Care Act applies to private insurance companies as well as state-funded companies. Private insurances can no longer deny you based on pre-existing conditions, including pregnancy. Your coverage must include services such as hospitalization for detoxification, inpatient rehab, and all outpatient programs and follow-up care.
Coverage begins the day of your approval for coverage, and no yearly limits prevent you from getting proper treatment at a drug rehab facility in Kentucky.6
Popular Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers in Kentucky
Many alcohol and drug rehabs in Kentucky are open and ready to help you overcome a substance use disorder. You can choose a Kentucky drug rehab close to your home or one across the state, away from the triggers and temptations of your home environment. Before you begin your search, make a list of the factors you think will help you stay in treatment, including location, types of therapies, levels of care, and amenities.
There are plenty of Kentucky drug rehabs and alcohol rehabs that can meet your needs and help you maintain recovery.
Rivendell Behavioral Health Hospital
Rivendell Behavioral Health Hospital (RBHH) treats children, adolescents, and adults for crisis intervention, inpatient detox, and inpatient rehab. RBHH is in Bowling Green with access to a major airport and other transportation services. Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, self-pay, financial aid, and military insurance.
Brightview London Addiction Treatment
Brightview is an intensive outpatient and outpatient program for adults over 18 in London, Kentucky. Medication-assisted treatment eases your withdrawal symptoms and cravings in early recovery, allowing you to focus on learning recovery skills through intensive counseling programs. Brightview currently has clinics for Methadone, Vivitrol, and Suboxone. Payment options include most private insurances, Medicaid, Medicare, and self-pay options.
LifeSkills Premium Healthcare Services
LifeSkills offers a full range of substance misuse and mental health services at multiple locations throughout Kentucky. Residential services are provided at gender-specific facilities, where the program also offers non-medical detox, individual and group therapies, 12 Step facilitation groups, and family therapy. You may choose to participate in the intensive outpatient program, or if you only need DUI services, LifeSkills can help. Payment options include Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, financial aid, self-pay, and sliding scale fees.
Common Health Recovery
Common Health Recovery serves ten counties in Kentucky with outpatient, intensive outpatient, medication management, and case management programs. It also provides telehealth services. It implements evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management, and mindfulness combined with lifeskills education. Payment options include Medicaid, private insurance, and self-pay.
The Rehab Process: What to Expect
The recovery journey is a process, and most drug rehabs in Kentucky are set up on a continuum of care to support this process. Each level of care provides assistance depending on the severity of need. Those who are most successful in maintaining long-term recovery often stay on the continuum of care, starting with a highly structured program and stepping down in treatment services as their strength in recovery grows.
Receiving a Substance Abuse Assessment
The first step in the continuum of care is receiving a substance misuse assessment given by your general practitioner or at your local mental health or drug and alcohol rehab in Kentucky.
A substance misuse assessment is a comprehensive analysis that will guide your treatment team in creating the most effective treatment plan. Your team will help you get the correct diagnosis, medication, physical care, and mental health. Because there is no one-size-fits-all program, the information you provide during the assessment will help you get the most personalized treatment. Assessments gather the following information:7
Current and past substance use
Family history of substance use
Mental health symptoms
Employment
Readiness for change
Legal issues
Physical health symptoms
Relationships that support or hinder recovery
Living environment
Insurance and how to pay for treatment
Treatment history and what has worked or not worked
Withdrawal symptoms
Upon completing the substance misuse assessment, you will be given a tentative diagnosis that allows a team of addiction specialists to formulate a treatment plan.
Medical Detox Treatment
For some, medical detoxification is the first form of treatment they receive. Medical detox is medical assistance provided to those who experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using drugs or alcohol. The withdrawal symptoms can be severe and lead to a relapse or even death. Doctors utilize medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for detoxification to prevent this.
When you do not have withdrawal symptoms and cravings, you can stay focused on learning new skills to help you maintain recovery. Medical detox also helps you stay safe and comfortable until all substances have left your system. Many professionals refer to this as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This is not a form of addiction therapy where you learn how to live a sober lifestyle. Instead, MAT is a program that physically stabilizes you so you can proceed with your treatment plan.
Inpatient Drug Rehab in Kentucky
Transitioning from medical detox to inpatient drug rehab in Kentucky is recommended since you are still in early recovery and may need to continue medication management and access clinicians around the clock.
Eliminating substances from your body does not equal being in recovery, especially early recovery. The relapse will likely win if you return home after a medical detox without learning how to fight relapse. Also, alcohol and drug misuse damage the body and brain. For some, time is needed to heal, which can take months or even a year. While in inpatient rehab, you get the necessary nutrition and care for better healing.
Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab in Kentucky offers a highly structured and intensive program involving individual and group therapies in which you learn relapse prevention skills. You discover more about yourself and why you developed a substance use disorder so you can create a plan to get out of the cycle of addiction.
Other benefits of inpatient drug rehab in Kentucky include holistic therapies, family therapy, 12-Step facilitation groups, and co-occurring therapies. You receive peer support throughout the day and night, in groups and while socializing, from people who understand what you are going through. You learn about the disease of addiction and why you can’t “just quit” like so many people want you to do. These benefits set you up for success when you return home.
Step-Down Care
Completing the inpatient drug and alcohol rehab in Kentucky means you have options for your next treatment step. You can step down to an outpatient program and continue learning how to stay in recovery long-term. You will also have the option to stop treatment at this point, develop an aftercare plan, and return home. Depending on how long you stay in inpatient rehab, this may not be the best choice.
Outpatient programs exist at varying levels, from high to minimal structuring. Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) offer twenty or more hours of individual and group therapies each week. Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) offer nine or more hours of treatment each week. Standard outpatient involves meeting with a therapist once or twice a week to continue treatment and check your progress.
With the PHP and IOP, you receive peer and clinician support in individual and group therapies. You can continue medication management, improve relapse prevention skills, participate in family therapy, and build confidence in sobriety.
Structured programs such as these allow for continued healing, and in addition, you get real-time support while you are living in your home environment. If you encounter a trigger or struggle with temptations one day, you can discuss it in groups and with your therapist that same day. This type of support is crucial in early recovery.
You can also continue medication management and connect with community recovery supports such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), SMART Recovery, and co-occurring groups.
It is important to note that some people begin the recovery process in an outpatient program such as PHP, IOP, or standard individual counseling. If your support system at home is healthy, safe, and supports recovery, outpatient may benefit you more than inpatient rehab.
Your initial substance misuse screening will help determine the best place to begin treatment.
Effective Therapies at All Levels of Care
At the inpatient and outpatient levels of care, you will be introduced to behavioral therapies that inspire you to make positive changes and teach you the skills to do so. Examples of behavioral therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, contingency management, the Matrix model for stimulant use disorders, and trauma-focused therapies such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Behavioral therapies have been studied for many years and proven to work by changing or stopping negative thought processes that often lead to negative or harmful actions.
Many Kentucky alcohol rehabs and drug rehabs offer holistic therapies alongside behavioral therapies. The integration of the two types is essential in treating the whole person, not just one part. Holistic therapies include self-care activities such as massage, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, prayer, nutrition, fitness, and mindfulness-based behavioral therapies. When you develop a substance use disorder, a disconnection occurs between your mind, body, and spirit. Holistic therapies aid in reconnection so you can experience overall well-being. When the three are not reconnected and healed, the untreated parts may put you at risk for relapse.
Aftercare and Relapse Prevention
Recovery is a lifelong process that doesn’t end when treatment ends. For this reason, inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol rehabs in Kentucky offer aftercare and relapse prevention planning. Your plan is unique to your needs, so collaboration between you and your treatment team is beneficial.
Aftercare and relapse prevention plans include local support groups, including AA, NA, SMART Recovery, or specific needs-based activities. For example, you may benefit from attending a support group for those with depression, anxiety, or other co-occurring disorders.
Other services in your individualized aftercare plans may include getting your GED or furthering your education, acquiring job training skills, and keeping appointments for medication management for mental health and substance misuse issues. Aftercare plans can help you with childcare, legal issues, and telehealth services.
Relapse is common, and a “slip” does not mean you have failed in recovery. It only means you need more support at the moment to get back on track. It doesn’t mean you must start over in your recovery journey. Instead, you can briefly return to a higher level of care, restabilize, receive the necessary support, and then get back into life.
What to Consider When Choosing the Right Kentucky Rehab for You
Choosing the right Kentucky drug rehab or Kentucky alcohol rehab can be challenging because each program has benefits. It can be hard to narrow the list to just one.
There are questions you can ask yourself regarding specific factors important to recovery. For example:
- How much does the drug rehab in Kentucky cost?
- Where is the Kentucky alcohol rehab located?
- Is the rehab inpatient or outpatient?
- Are the staff qualified or do they have specialty training?
- Does the program offer holistic in addition to traditional therapies?
- Do I want a faith-based treatment approach?
- Does it provide medication-assisted treatment?
- Does it offer aftercare planning?
- What are the program rules?
What to Look for in a Quality Treatment Program
Quality drug rehabs in Kentucky distinguish themselves in many different ways. They hold accreditation from esteemed organizations such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Accreditation means the Kentucky alcohol rehab or drug rehab meets or exceeds standards set forth by leading agencies, usually government agencies.
Also, look at the qualifications of the staff employed by the drug rehab in Kentucky. Are they credentialed or hold appropriate education certificates to perform their duties? All clinicians who prescribe medications must be licensed and board-certified physicians. Most therapists have master-level degrees but may also obtain certifications.
Don’t be afraid to inquire about whether the program uses individualized treatment plans with evidence-based therapies. Learn how much time you will get to spend with a therapist one-on-one and if your family will be able to attend family therapies or activities. If you need medication-assisted treatment, find out which types of medications are available and how often you will have access to medical care.
You can even ask how the drug rehab in Kentucky prepares you for discharge and returning to your home environment. Find out if there is aftercare planning, alumni programs, and a readmission process if needed.
Your immediate focus is likely on getting off alcohol or drugs. That’s okay and very common. You may want to enter the first drug and alcohol rehab in Kentucky that can help you quit substances.
Taking the extra steps to find the program that best meets your needs can enhance your recovery. For example, entering drug rehab in Kentucky close to your home and your triggers may make it more challenging to stay in treatment than if you were to enter a program across the state, far from home.
Should I Travel to Kentucky for Alcohol and Drug Treatment?
Kentucky has international and domestic airlines, busses, and other transportation systems leading in and out of the state. Some drug rehabs in Kentucky are willing to pick you up at an airport or bus station and take you to treatment.
Once in Kentucky, some regions may benefit your recovery process more than others.
Horse Country
Kentucky is well-known for the Kentucky Derby and the beautiful, expansive horse farms. You may not know that there are cities, such as Louisville, that have many places where you can participate in equine therapy. Working with horses aids in personal growth, healing, and self-esteem, which are imperative to recovery.
If you think equine therapy would benefit you, search for drug rehabs in Kentucky in Louisville or what is known as “horse country.”
Daniel Boone Country
When Daniel Boone explored Kentucky in the 1700s, he compared the area to his perception of heaven. It is beautiful and filled with many outdoor activities. Choosing a drug and alcohol rehab in Kentucky in this region gives you access to the Red River Gorge, Cumberland Gap National Park, and Cumberland Falls.
London, Kentucky is the place for cyclists, with numerous on and off-road trails. If you love the outdoors and want to feel connected to nature in recovery, choose a Kentucky drug rehab in this area. You can visit Noah’s Ark and Creation Museum if you have the Christian faith. The Ark was built to the exact figures listed in the Bible.
Kentucky Appalachians
On the eastern side of Kentucky are the Appalachian mountains, a culture different from the rest of Kentucky. Think Loretta Lynn’s homeplace in Butcher Holler, country music highway, and the many legends in the industry. Combine that with canyons, cliffs, caves, and historical museums. Recovery activities include zip line tours in Frenchburg, wildlife management areas in Salt Lick, and the Hatfield-McCoy driving tour in Pikeville.
Drug and Alcohol Laws in Kentucky
Several initiatives regarding substance misuse are ongoing in Kentucky and affect Kentucky alcohol rehabs and drug treatment centers. House bills, laws, and state-wide programs are becoming more aggressive in combatting many Kentuckians’ drug and alcohol problems.
Casey’s Law: Casey’s Law took effect in 2004 and makes it possible for family members and loved ones to petition the courts for involuntary placement in drug rehab in Kentucky. The law is named after Matthew Casey Wethington, who overdosed on heroin and died at the age of 23.8
Casey’s parents had tried to force him into treatment, but they were unable to do so because he was an adult. This prompted Kentucky to create this law, so other family members can give their loved ones a chance at recovery even if they are not disposed to enter a rehab independently.
NPLEx: The NPLEx drug tracking program is making progress in tracing the ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamines, including pseudoephedrine found in allergy and cold medicines. The National Precursor Log Exchange alerts pharmacists and law enforcement when someone is trying to purchase more than the legal limits of these products.9
KSP Angel Initiative: The Kentucky State Police’s Angel Initiative exists to encourage anyone seeking treatment for drug or alcohol use disorders to go to their state police barracks and ask for help. You can do so without the fear of getting in trouble, being arrested, or even being asked any questions.10
KORE The Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE) is a movement to improve outreach and provision of services in high-risk regions of Kentucky. Their focus is on better prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction programs in every area with a significant opioid problem.10
If you are considering drug rehab in Kentucky and aren’t sure where to start, we can help. In a few simple steps, we can connect you to a rehab center that best fits your needs.
Because our support team is available to talk 24/7, you can call us anytime to start a new chapter in your life.
Resources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). 2019-2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health State-Specific Tables: Kentucky.
- Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. (2020). 2020 Overdose Fatality Report.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (NSSATS): 2020 Data on Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities.
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. (2022). Provider Directory.
- Benefits.gov. (2019). Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the Big Difference?
- U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2022). Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2020). Chapter 3—Identifying, Screening for, and Assessing Substance Misuse in Older Adults. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 26. Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults: UPDATED 2020. Rockville (MD).
- Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. (2020). Casey’s Law.
- Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. (2020). Cold-Allergy Medication Restrictions.
- Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. (2020). Treatment and Recovery Resources.
