Expert Insights
Here’s a great example that proves drug abuse and addiction truly do impact everyone in the community. A recent wastewater analysis was completed by Louisiana Addiction Research Center of LSU Shreveport Health Science; the group has been working on the research for about a year. And the final compiled data shows the level of methamphetamines found in the wastewater of Shreveport is two times the levels found anywhere else in the nation. Scientists are able to trace drugs like methamphetamine when present in wastewater, and those results can be used to trace the amount of meth use among communities who share wastewater pools. Luckily, wastewater is treated and disinfected before it’s used again. And while no danger is posed to the water system of Shreveport, the extremely high levels of meth found in this concentrated area of Louisiana indicate something dangerous: it’s possible that Shreveport residents are abusing the highest rates of methamphetamine in the country.
~ Nikki Seay
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in Louisiana?
Louisiana is ranked 33rd nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $56,822 (without insurance).
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $140,087
- Long-term inpatient drug rehab in Louisiana costs an average of $50,142
- Outpatient addiction treatment in Louisiana costs an average of $8,332
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,403
The cost of rehabilitation in Louisiana will vary based on a variety of factors, including the type of facilities available and the type of program you need. The best way to estimate potential costs is to consider the following:
The type of treatment program you need, i.e., inpatient care, outpatient care, etc.
The type of facility, such as luxury-style accommodations vs basic amenities
The duration of treatment, which could last 30, 60, or even 90 days
Whether you have insurance
Whether you’re eligible for special financing or government funding
The location of your intended facility
How to Find Low-Cost and Free Drug Rehab Centers in Louisiana
As of 2024, there were over 160 drug rehab facilities across the state of Louisiana. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those treatment facilities, the following numbers reflect how many offer free or low-cost addiction treatment services in Louisiana:
136 accept self-payment or cash
70 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
115 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
49 accept state funded insurance coverage
114 accept private health insurance
814 offer free or low-cost treatment
8 offer free treatment for all clients
18 accept tribal funding
State-funded facilities receive their funding from both the federal and state government. They also receive support from local governments, which receive funding from insurance programs like Medicaid, special grants, and so on so that they can, in turn, provide low-cost or no-cost addiction treatment.
To receive free or low-cost drug and alcohol rehab in Louisiana, you’ll need to meet specific criteria. This would include the following:
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- You must have proof of low income.
- You must prove that you don’t have health insurance coverage.
- You must be a tax-paying resident in the state of Louisiana.
Does Insurance Cover Rehab Center Costs?
Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008, all states, including Louisiana, require that insurance providers automatically offer plans that include mental health and substance use disorder benefits.3
Therefore, if you have health insurance, you have some level of coverage for alcohol or drug rehab in Louisiana. The extent of your treatment coverage will depend entirely on your insurance plan and provider. You’ll need to verify what’s covered and what you’ll have to pay out of pocket with your insurance provider. You’ll also need to check which facilities are considered in-network to ensure coverage before making arrangements.
Medicaid
Medicaid is both a federal and state-funded program that offers healthcare coverage to low-income families. When it comes to substance use treatment, Medicaid covers:
- Initial screenings
- Intervention assistance
- Inpatient and outpatient care
- Medically assisted detox
- Addiction treatment medications
- Mental health services
Medicare
Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program created for seniors 65 and older and individuals with disabilities. Unlike Medicaid, however, Medicare comes with monthly premiums that are based on your income. Essentially, people with lower incomes pay lower premiums.
Private Insurance
Private insurance plans under the MHPAEA must provide some extent of coverage for substance use disorder treatment as well as mental health disorders. Some of the top insurance providers that offer coverage for rehab include Humana, Aetna, United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), COBRA, and Cigna.
Does Louisiana Have an Alcohol and Drug Use Problem?
The state saw a yearly increase in opioid-related deaths, going from 160 in 2012 to 588 in 2019.1
The number of residents aged 18 to 25 with substance use disorders increased from 6.2% in 2017 to 6.9% in 2019.2
Binge drinking among this same age group rose from 35.2% to 37.1% during the same years.2
Today, 8.3% of Louisiana’s population has a substance use disorder, higher than the national average of 7.4%.2
Important Drug and Alcohol Laws in Louisiana
In response to the nationwide opioid epidemic, Louisiana has written several pieces of legislation into action to protect and support its residents. Here are some of the most recent laws to be aware of:
The Good Samaritan Law: Like most states now, Louisiana has enacted the Good Samaritan Law, which protects the victims of overdoses and bystanders from criminal charges. This, however, excludes possession of illicit drugs with the intent to distribute during the time of the distress call.
The HR291 Treatment System Transformation Initiative: The state of Louisiana has recognized that individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) are often unable to access MAT therapy as there are not enough community-based providers offering it. Therefore, HR291 is pushing the Department of Health to implement a plan to increase these offerings while urging Medicaid to pay for case management services in hospitals to help OUD patients transition from the emergency room into programs. The HR291 bill has been written in conjunction with Act 425, which requires that all licensed residential facilities now offer at least two forms of MAT on-site.
Act 10: Act 10 ensures that methadone is now covered by Louisiana’s Medicaid program, which did not previously cover this treatment. This left many residents without access to evidence-based care. In addition to Act 10, the HR257 bill urges the Department of Health to evaluate the costs associated with removing the prior authorization where clinicians had to first seek approval from insurers before administering MAT.
How to Choose the Right Level of Care
Medical detox is the first step of the recovery process. It involves professional management of withdrawal symptoms so that you can stay safe and comfortable throughout the process as well as reduce the risk of returning to use. Medical detox involves 24/7 supervision and monitoring, as well as addiction withdrawal medications and supportive care.
Inpatient rehab refers to residential care, where you’ll be admitted to a facility and live there throughout the length of your program. These programs range from 30 days to 90 days, depending on the severity of your substance abuse and needs.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are also referred to as day treatment programs. They offer a high level of care while permitting you to live at home.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) have you getting involved in care for a few hours each day for between three and five days per week. This option offers more flexibility than a PHP.
Standard outpatient is the least intensive and most flexible treatment option. It involves a low rate of therapy throughout the week, which may be best for someone with a mild addiction and a strong support system.
Aftercare is a form of ongoing support that takes place after you have completed your rehabilitation program. You should receive continuing support that works for you. This may be as support group meetings or family therapy.
Should You Choose Specialized Drug Rehab?
No two Louisiana drug rehabs operate the same. While many follow evidence-based methods, each has its own philosophy and amenities, and many cater to specific groups.
Here’s a brief look at the various types of Louisiana addiction treatment centers:
Holistic: Holistic programs are centered on healing the mind, body, and spirit in addition to substance use recovery. As such, they combine evidence-based practices like psychotherapy with holistic methods like acupuncture, meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and creative arts therapy.
Christian and Faith-Based: The basis for Christian and other faith-based facilities is the acknowledgment that the individual isn’t just suffering physically but spiritually and emotionally as well. Thes encourage their patients to form a connection with a higher power during their recovery.
Luxury: Luxury programs involve upscale settings in beautiful locations that more closely resemble a resort. They also offer luxurious features like Olympic-sized pools, spa treatment, and massage therapy.
Executive: Executive rehabs are typically ideal for business professionals as they are tailored for the specific treatment of high-level and busy professionals who require more flexibility, privacy, and additional resources. These offer amenities such as private conference rooms, access to computers and Wi-Fi, travel support for work trips, and private rooms.
Dual Diagnosis: Dual diagnosis refers to co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, both of which influence and complicate each other. A dual diagnosis program specializes in treating the unique needs of both disorders as well as their interactions.
Do You Need Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) uses FDA-approved medications in conjunction with behavioral therapy and counseling to provide a “whole-patient” approach.4
Methadone is used to treat opioid addiction.5 It acts on the brain’s opioid receptors, minimizing pain and withdrawal symptoms, and stays active in the body for up to 36 hours.5
Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is prescribed for opioid addiction. Suboxone is highly regulated, making it impossible to get without a doctor’s approval and prescription.
Naltrexone is an MAT option used to treat alcohol or opioid addiction and can be prescribed and administered by any doctor.7 It works to block the sedative and euphoric effects of opioids and alcohol by binding with and blocking the brain’s receptors to reduce cravings.
Antabuse (Disulfiram) was one of the first medications prescribed for alcohol use disorder. It works by blocking the enzymes the body uses to process alcohol and can cause unpleasant side effects if alcohol is consumed after it has been taken.
Acamprosate is another prescription medication used to help treat alcohol addiction. It comes in pill form and is typically taken up to three times per day with food. The medication works to restore the natural balance of the neurotransmitters in the brain to reduce cravings helping individuals to abstain from alcohol use.
Should You Travel for Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Louisiana?
If you’re wondering whether you should travel to Louisiana to attend addiction treatment, you’ll have to first think about what your needs are. Sometimes getting far away from the environment that made you sick is the best medicine. In other cases, traveling to be closer to friends and family makes things easier.
Whether you’re traveling to the Pelican State from afar to get peace or staying local for support, you’ll want to consider the actual landscape of where you’ll be and what that means to you.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you are considering traveling:
- You prefer the climate of Louisiana or need a change of scenery
- You want to attend a particular facility or detox center
- You have family or friends who live in Louisiana and can provide support
- Your insurance covers treatment there
Resources
- Operation Engage Baton Rouge. (n.d.). Www.dea.gov.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Behavioral Health Barometer, Louisiana, Volume 6.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, December 1). Mental Health and Substance Use Insurance Help.
- Chanell Baylor. SAMHSA (2021). Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021, June 8). Methadone.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Buprenorphine Treatment Practitioner Locator.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administratino. (2020, September 15). Naltrexone.
