Top Drug Rehab Centers in Maine & Free Treatment Resources

Maine Drug and Alcohol Statistics

9% of adults in Maine reported using drugs in 2021 vs. a national average of 12%.¹

Residents who use drugs tend to misuse prescription drugs or illicit drugs.¹

People earning under $25,000 per year are the most likely to abuse drugs.¹

24% of adults aged 18-44 in Maine reported excessive drinking in 2021.²

Cost of Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Maine

Your costs vary based on the length of your program; longer programs are more costly. If you choose a facility that includes specialized treatments or luxury amenities, your out-of-pocket costs will go up accordingly. If you are using a facility that is out-of-network for your insurance company and they may not cover the full cost of care. You’ll be responsible for any remaining expenses. Any travel expenses are also your responsibility.

What you pay for treatment will depend on the rehab you choose. You will likely find that inpatient programs are more expensive than outpatient programs. The cost of inpatient treatment includes your housing and food, as well as counseling, medical care, and any additional services the facility offers during treatment. Outpatient programs only include the treatment costs without the additional expenses related to living at a facility. Therefore, the price is considerably lower.

Free Treatment Options in Maine

The state of Maine operates community recovery centers around the state. The centers offer no-cost peer recovery support services, recovery coaches, public education, and prevention efforts. They also offer training to people who wish to become support coaches for people fighting substance use disorder.⁴

Many facilities in Maines offer free, low-cost, or sliding scale programs. Some programs offer payment schedules so you can pay for rehab in installments.

If a program has an income-based sliding scale for fees, you will probably need to provide information about your financial status. The staff at the rehab will assess your level of need and use that to determine how much you will be charged for treatment.

You can ask rehab facilities if they provide scholarships that cover some or all the costs of treatment. You may also be able to find programs that accept any patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

Does Health Insurance Cover Addiction Treatment?

Under the provision of two different federal laws—the Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act—all insurance plans are required to cover substance abuse treatment.

Any insurance plan you have, including private insurance, insurance through an employer, Medicaid, Medicare, or military insurance, will help you pay for treatment. The amount of coverage you have and what costs you will have to pay yourself depends on your insurance plan. You may be able to go to rehab without paying any additional out-of-pocket costs. Alternatively, you may only be responsible for a co-pay.

Your insurance company will probably have a network of rehabs that they work with. Your policy will pay a great proportion of the costs at facilities. Ask your insurers which rehabs are part of their network.

Should I Travel to Maine for Drug and Alcohol Treatment?

There are a lot of personal factors that apply to choosing a location for rehab. You may feel that staying close to home is your best choice. It may be better for you to travel to a new location and start treatment away from your old patterns. You might want to go to Maine if:

There is a particular facility you want to attend in Maine.

You have friends or family in Maine, and their support will help you.

Your insurance covers treatment in Maine.

Maine appeals to you because of the climate, scenery, or general vibe.

Maine is one of the northernmost states in the contiguous United States. It’s located at the top of the I-95 corridor, and there are commercial airports in Portland as well as nearby, in New Hampshire. Much of the state is coastal, and it has a thriving tourism economy.

The climate of Maine is typical of New England, with long cold winters and mild summers. The landscape offers everything from Atlantic beaches to mountain ranges in the western part of the state.

Regional Considerations for Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Maine

Maine is home to several large cities, like Portland, Bangor, and Lewiston. These are popular detentions for tourists. The cities are home to a variety of dining options and opportunities for entertainment, such as live music and museums.

There are many resort areas such as Bar Harbor, Camden, and Kennebunkport. These quaint towns are rich with opportunities for outdoor activities. Boating, fishing, hiking, and camping are popular warm-weather sports. During the winter, Maine and surrounding New England states have plenty of places for skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating.

Types of Maine Drug or Alcohol Rehab Programs

Holistic rehab: Look for a holistic rehab if you want a program that will focus on spiritual, physical, and emotional balance. Most holistic programs have evidence-based addiction counseling procedures, as well as complementary and alternative treatments like massage, yoga, acupuncture, meditation, or hypnotherapy.

Faith-based rehab: If you prefer treatment that accommodates your religious values, you should look for a faith-based program. Faith-based rehab programs may include worship and prayer, as well as secular, evidence-based counseling and therapy.

Luxury treatment: If cost is not a concern, you can find luxury rehab programs. These treatment facilities boast high-end amenities like private rooms for patients and increased privacy and security at the facility. You might find facilities that have fitness programs, swimming pools, horseback riding or equine therapy, spa services, and high-end outings.

Executive treatment: If you can’t take time away from work, you may want to try executive rehab. Inpatient executive rehab programs build in time for participants to continue working remotely during treatment. They may allow more phone and computer access than other programs.

What to Look for in a Treatment Program

You should look for a rehab program that makes you feel comfortable and encouraged. It’s also helpful to look for a facility that helps with any other mental health needs you have in addition to substance use disorder. You should research the philosophies and amenities of various rehab programs so you can find one that meets all your needs.

Before going to any rehab, you should check that it has proper accreditation. Treatment centers should be licensed by the state and should provide documentation to prove that. If the clinic offers medication-assisted treatment such as methadone, it should be registered with federal authorities. In addition, check to see if the facility is accredited by organizations such as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities or the Joint Commission. Oversight by professional organizations helps ensure that the facility is performing evidence-based care.

You should also investigate what types of therapy the program uses for treatment. It’s best to choose a program that utilizes evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management programs. Whenever possible, programs should create individual treatment plans based on each participant’s needs.

If you have any medical conditions that require ongoing care, look for a treatment facility that has trained medical staff. They can support you with care for health-related needs or a disability that requires assistance.

What to Pack for Drug Rehab in Maine

When you arrange to go to inpatient rehab, you will need to bring personal items to use during your stay. A typical packing list might include:

• A contact list
• Writing supplies, journal, and postage stamps
• Prescription medications (bring in original bottles with documentation from prescribing doctors)
• New and unopened bottles of OTC medicines, such as aspirin or antacids.
• Small amounts of cash for miscellaneous expenses
• Insurance cards and Photo ID
• Appropriate reading material
• Personal photos of family, friends, or pets (frames may not be allowed)
• Clothing, including pajamas, undergarments, and socks
• Comfortable shoes
• Shower shoes, sippers, and robe
• Bathing suit or workout clothes (if applicable)
• Alcohol-free toiletries and personal hygiene items
• Electric razor

Most rehabs also supply a list of prohibited items which may include:

• Drugs
• Alcohol
• Jewelry, except what you wear every day, such as wedding rings
• Weapons, including pocketknives
• Prescription narcotics
• Pornography
• Outside food or drink
• E-cigarettes/vaping supplies

You may not be permitted to use electronic devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, iPads, and laptops at all during rehab. Some facilities allow you to bring them but have strict rules about using them.

Treatment Settings Compared

Medical Detox

When you abruptly quit using drugs or alcohol, you’ll likely experience painful or even dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox provides you with round-the-clock care in a hospital-based setting to help manage withdrawal, keep you safe, and help you achieve a medically-stable, substance-free state.

Medical detox is just the first step on your addiction recovery journey. Once you detox, you’ll want to transition into an inpatient or outpatient program.

Inpatient Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Maine

Inpatient treatment is sometimes called residential treatment. You will live on-site at the facility during your treatment program. There will be staff present around the clock to supervise your activities and provide counseling.

Inpatient rehab allows you to focus on treatment without worrying about work, family, or other responsibilities. Because you won’t leave the facility unsupervised, you have very few chances to relapse while you’re impatient. After you’re discharged, you may be able to participate in aftercare programs run by the facility.

Outpatient Rehab in Maine

If you go to outpatient rehab, you will attend treatment for substance use while still living at home. If you want an intensive program, you can try a partial hospitalization program (PHP), where you spend most of your time at a treatment facility. Other programs are less intensive. The schedule may have you going daily for a few hours or only a few times per week.

With outpatient, the schedule may be flexible enough that you can continue working or attending school during outpatient treatment. Staff at the treatment center can explain their scheduling practices.

Outpatient care typically costs less than inpatient rehab. You won’t be responsible for the cost of housing, food, and medical costs. Your insurance plan may provide coverage for outpatient therapy, so you have lower out-of-pocket costs.

What is a Typical Day Like at Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab?

If you start out with a detox program, you will spend most of that time recovering from the physical effects of withdrawal. Once you move into inpatient rehab and begin behavioral therapy, your daily schedule will be highly structured.

A typical day might follow a schedule like this:

How Long Does Drug Rehab Last?

Inpatient programs can last as little as 30 days, but longer stays are helpful if you spend time doing detox before beginning treatment planning.

Longer treatment programs help you plan for new routines after discharge. You may also need extended treatment times if you have co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, or PTSD.

Research suggests that a longer stay in rehab offers more benefits than shorter stays. According to a 2019 study, patients who do not complete treatment or attend a treatment program under 120 days long have a greater risk of relapse than those who do.⁵

Outpatient treatment can take longer than inpatient programs. Some behavioral therapy programs work best if you continue attending them for months—some experts recommend that intensive outpatient programs should be a minimum of 90 days and less intense programs should be longer. Medication-assisted programs are prescribed around medical best practices. For example, methadone maintenance therapy for opioid addiction usually lasts a minimum of 12 months.⁶

What Happens After Rehab?: Aftercare

There is no finish line for substance use treatment. Even after you complete a program, you will need support to maintain your recovery. Your care team may have suggestions for continued support.

You might spend transition to an outpatient rehab program. If you still want substantial support, you can attend a partial hospitalization program where you go back to your inpatient facility to get care during the day. You can continue with your therapy program and work with your usual care team. You can also opt for an intensive outpatient program. You will still have a regular schedule for treatment, but it’s fewer hours per week PHP. You could also attend sessions at a standard outpatient program.

Sober living homes are helpful for some people as they transition to independence after rehab. A sober living facility is a group residence you will live with roommates who share similar recovery.

Peer support networks are a helpful long-term support tool after rehab. Maine has many 12-step recovery programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). If the 12-step model doesn’t appeal to you, you can try SMART Recovery, a peer support group that works on fostering behavioral changes.

Alcohol and Drug Laws in Maine

Both medical and recreational cannabis is legal in Maine. It is legal to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis in Maine. It is not legal to sell or give away marijuana, except for licensed dispensaries.⁷

Maine has a Good Samaritan law that protects you from arrest if you call for help during an overdose. If you call for medical assistance when you or someone you know is experiencing an overdose, you will not be arrested for drug possession. You may also be immune from arrest for other outstanding offenses.⁸

Maine allows pharmacists to dispense Naloxone to anyone without a prescription. Community health centers provide naloxone, but they give priority to people at high risk of overdose.⁹

Maine operates treatment courts that provide alternative sentencing for eligible individuals. Sentencing involves court-ordered substance use treatment, regular drug testing, community supervision, as well as regular check-ins with court officers. Offenders can apply for the program at their arraignment.¹⁰

Resources

1. America’s Health Rankings. (2021). Non-Medical Drug Use – Past Year in Maine.
2. America’s Health Rankings. (2020). Excessive Drinking in Maine.
3. America’s Health Rankings. (2020). Drug Deaths in Maine.
4. Maine Department of Health and Human Services. (2022). Substance Use Disorder Recovery Supports.
5. Andersson, H. W., Wenaas, M., & Nordfjærn, T. (2019). Relapse after inpatient substance use treatment: A prospective cohort study among users of illicit substances. Addictive Behaviors, 90, 222–228.
6. Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment. (2016). Chapter 3. Intensive Outpatient Treatment and the Continuum of Care.
7. Office of Cannabis Policy State of Maine. (2022). Frequently Asked Questions.
8. Office of Governor Janet T. Mills. (2019). Governor Mills Signs Good Samaritan Bill.
9. Maine Public Radio. (2022). After compromise, Mills supports expansion to Maine’s ‘Good Samaritan’ law.
10. WGME. (2018). New law lets anyone buy naloxone in Maine.
11. State of Maine Judicial Branch. (2022). Adult Drug Treatment Court.