Top 20 Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers in Louisiana & Free Treatment Resources

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

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.

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.

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.

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.