Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics
In 2019, an estimated 730,000 people 12 years and older had a SUD in Maryland, and 575,000 people 12 years and older had an alcohol use disorder. That means about 1 in 8 people had a SUD, and 1 in 10 people had alcohol use disorder statewide in 2019.3
State or publicly funded Maryland drug or alcohol rehabs admitted 118,748 people 12 years and older for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) in 2019. This was the highest number of admissions per capita (2.3 per 100) in the U.S.4 Here’s the breakdown:4
61% were admitted for heroin or other opioid use (oxycodone, codeine, etc.)
19% were admitted for alcohol or combined alcohol and SUDs.
7% were admitted for cocaine/crack use.
5% were admitted for marijuana use.
Unintentional alcohol and drug intoxication deaths rose 16% in Maryland in 2020, a trend that mirrored the situation across the U.S. Of the 2,773 overdose-related deaths that year, opioids were involved 90% of the time. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, was a contributing substance in 2,326 deaths.5 Maryland ranks the sixth highest in the U.S. for overdose deaths.6
While overdose deaths in most of the U.S. continued to rise in 2021, Maryland saw slightly fewer unintentional alcohol and drug-related deaths last year, as noted in a preliminary report by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).7
How Much Does Drug Rehab in Maryland Cost?
The cost of rehab in Maryland ranges from about $5,000 for three months of outpatient rehab to about $56,000 for inpatient (residential) rehab, according to a survey by the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.8
Even if that seems out of your reach financially, rehab options that may better fit your budget are also available. Insurance, payment plans, scholarships, and grants can all make rehab more affordable. And some rehabs are free.
How to Find Free Rehabs in Maryland
Charity- and non-profit-run programs may offer free or low-cost rehabs near you. Government-funded rehabs in Maryland also provide free and low-cost alcohol and substance use treatment if you have no insurance, income, or assets. To qualify, facilities may ask for proof of state residency and your lack of financial resources or insurance to pay for rehab on your own.
Does Insurance Cover Drug Rehab in Maryland?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) states health insurance companies must cover treatment for alcohol and substance use disorders (SUDs). Since these disorders are classified as pre-existing conditions, coverage can’t be denied.9
In Maryland, however, short-term health insurance policies lasting less than three months aren’t required to cover pre-existing conditions.10
For coverage under large group health plans, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)11 states the annual or lifetime benefits for mental health or SUDs are to be equivalent to benefits for medical and surgical claims. Your out-of-pocket expenses (such as co-pays and deductibles) for substance use and mental health treatment need to be on par with your out-of-pocket expenditures for medical or surgical treatments.
Private Insurance
Private insurance can greatly reduce the amount you need to pay for rehab. The amount you’ll pay out of pocket depends on your plan and the type of rehab you enter. Typically, choosing a rehab that is in-network reduces the amount you owe. Your deductible and co-pays vary with the type of plan you have.
Kaiser, Aetna, and Cigna are popular private insurance providers.
Medicaid
Maryland’s Medicaid program covers alcohol and SUD treatment. To be eligible for the state’s Medicaid, you must:12
- Live in Maryland.
- Be a U.S. citizen or someone who meets immigration status requirements.
- Earn less than 138% of the federal poverty level ($1,564 per month for one person in 2022).
These are the basic requirements. The only way to receive Medicaid is to apply for it.
Please visit Maryland’s Health Department online or call one of our specialists for assistance.
Medicare
Medicare covers inpatient and outpatient alcohol and drug rehab. Inpatient treatment is covered under Medicare Part A, while outpatient treatment falls under Medicare Part B. Both parts cover 80% of the allowed amount. Medicare Part D covers prescription medications used in your treatment.
Medicare covers healthcare providers’ fees, psychotherapy, medication-assisted therapy, and post-hospitalization follow-up. It may cover a limited number of telehealth appointments depending on your access (or lack of access) to healthcare.13
For 2022, Medicare Part A fees for inpatient care vary by length of stay:14
- Days 1-60: $1,556 deductible.
- Days 61-90: $389 coinsurance per day.
- Days 91 and beyond: $778 coinsurance every “lifetime reserve” day for each benefit period (up to a maximum of 60 reserve days over your lifetime).
If you have a co-occurring mental health disorder and require treatment in a psychiatric hospital rather than a general hospital, you’re limited to 190 days of inpatient care in your lifetime.13
Does My Insurance Plan Cover Substance Abuse Treatment?
Before entering rehab, it’s best to make sure your insurance coverage will cover your treatment. Our specialists are happy to see if your insurance covers treatment and what portion you’ll be expected to pay.
You can also speak directly with your insurance carrier. Its number is on the back of your insurance card or online. Coverage details to verify include:
The rehab types that are covered (detox, inpatient, and outpatient).
Features and amenities (luxury or standard rehab facility)
The number of treatment days covered.
Whether or not you’re covered for rehab in an out-of-network facility.
The types of treatment that are covered (psychotherapy, medication-assisted treatment, or holistic treatments).
What your maximum out-of-pocket expense will be, including co-pays and deductible.
How to Finance Addiction Treatment in Maryland
If you are uninsured or underinsured, and you and your family don’t have enough money to cover the full cost of rehab, you have options:
Choose a Program That Offers Payment Plans: You can also search for rehab facilities that offer payment plans. You’ll be able to begin treatment right away and pay as you go along.
Get a Rehab Scholarship: Start by asking the rehab you’re interested in if it has scholarships. If it doesn’t, the facility may be able to refer you to corporations, non-profit organizations, or church groups that do offer scholarships.
You can also check out 10,000 Beds scholarship from the 10,000 Beds non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with no financial resources enter treatment.15
Find a Sliding Scale Rehab Program: When a rehab offers you a sliding scale payment, it means what you pay is adjusted based on your income or financial situation.
When looking for a rehab that meets your treatment needs, you can narrow down your search to include facilities that accept sliding scale payments. Or call one of our specialists to help with the search.
Popular Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in Maryland
Rehabs across the state range from free to luxury, and urban to rural.
Helping Up Mission
Baltimore’s Helping Up Mission provides detox, treatment for alcohol and SUDs, and treatment for dual diagnoses (SUDs plus mental health disorders). Treatment settings include inpatient rehab, outpatient facilities, and sober living homes. It provides aftercare as well. Care is provided for men, veterans, and older adults.
It offers free treatment.
Sandstone Care Rockville Rehab Center
Rockville’s Sandstone Care offers detox, inpatient residential and outpatient care, sober living homes, and aftercare for alcohol and SUDs. It has men’s and women’s programs and is LGBTQ+-friendly.
It accepts private insurance and self-pay. Sandstone Care offers sliding-scale payment plans.
Tranquility Woods Addiction Treatment Center
Located in Pasadena, Tranquility Woods Addiction Treatment Center offers comprehensive detox, inpatient treatment, and aftercare for alcohol and SUDs in a luxury setting. They treat dual diagnoses. It blends traditional and holistic treatments, including yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and equine therapy. Amenities include a pool and hiking trails.
It accepts private insurance, military insurance, self-pay, and sliding scale payments. Financing is available.
Serenity Treatment Center
Frederick’s Serenity Treatment Center is an outpatient rehab that treats alcohol use disorder, SUDs, and dual diagnoses. It is LGBTQ+-friendly.
It accepts a wide range of payments, including private and military insurance, Medicaid, and self-pay. Financing is available.
Fresh Start Recovery Center
Fresh Start Recovery Center, in Gaithersburg, treats alcohol misuse, SUDs, and dual diagnoses. It has inpatient, outpatient, and aftercare. Rehab is offered for men, women, and young adults.
It accepts Medicaid, private insurance, and self-pay.
Levels of Addiction Care: Treatment Settings
Treatment for alcohol and SUDs occurs in inpatient (residential) or outpatient settings. The treatment environment that will work for you depends, in part, on your clinical assessment.
The assessment begins with a counselor asking questions about:
The types of substances you use
How long you’ve been using them
How often you use them
Any symptoms of withdrawal or a history of withdrawal
Prior alcohol or SUD treatment
How much you use
Any mental health symptoms or known disorders
Any physical health problems
Family and living conditions
Legal or financial issues
Based on your answers, your counselor will recommend a treatment plan that may include:
Medical detox
Individual counseling
Support group meetings
Group therapy
Medication-assisted treatment
Family counseling
Aftercare planning
Your counselor will also determine the best treatment setting.
Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Receiving inpatient care means you live full time at the rehab facility during treatment. This is also called residential treatment. Some inpatient rehab takes place in a hospital, but this is less common.
Inpatient treatment offers more intensive or immersive treatment and some separation from everyday life. Inpatient rehab typically lasts 30 to 90 days.16 Longer stays in rehab translate to better outcomes.17
Partial Hospitalization Programs
Partial hospitalization is the next most intensive treatment. You’ll participate in four to eight hours of treatment daily, five to seven days a week but sleep at home or stay in a sober living home. Rehab typically runs for 90 days.16
Partial hospitalization works best if you have a supportive family and stable living conditions.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
You’ll spend between nine and 20 hours in treatment each week with intensive outpatient rehab. Treatment is based in a clinic, health department, outpatient rehab facility, or counselor’s office. Programs typically last a minimum of two months.16
You’ll need a stable home environment and transportation for this to work well.
Standard Outpatient
Standard outpatient rehab involves meeting with your therapist and/or attending therapy once or twice a week for several hours. You’ll have the most flexibility in continuing work or school and being with loved ones and friends with this type of treatment.16
You’ll be encouraged to spend time attending peer support groups. Groups include 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous. Non-faith-based groups include SMART Recovery (Self Management and Recovery Training), Secular Organizations for Sobriety, and LifeRing Secular Recovery.
Telehealth and Online Addiction Treatment
Cost, location, lack of transportation, work conflicts, lack of childcare, and stigma may be barriers to treatment. With telehealth and online addiction treatment, you’ll receive high-quality therapy at home by phone or via video call. You may be allowed to schedule therapy around your other commitments.18
Telehealth and online addiction treatment provide individual and group counseling and appointments with healthcare providers. For video meetings, high-speed internet access is a must. The government’s Broadband Benefit Program can help you pay for your internet services.19
Medicare covers some telehealth. Some insurance companies don’t cover virtual rehab at all so it’s best to call one of our specialists about your insurance coverage.
Medical Detox
Medical detoxification, or detox, is a process that helps you clear alcohol and/or substances from your body after chronic use. With prolonged substance use, your body begins to function normally with alcohol or drugs in your system. Stopping the alcohol or drugs abruptly can cause uncomfortable and potentially harmful withdrawal symptoms (especially seizures, delirium, and suicidal thoughts). Symptoms vary by substance:
- Stopping alcohol can cause nausea, headaches, anxiety, hallucinations, tremors, and seizures.
- Stopping benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium or Xanax) can cause nausea, headaches, anxiety, sleep disturbance, sweating, seizures, and suicidal thoughts.
- Stopping barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital or secobarbital) can cause nausea, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, fatigue, tremors, seizures, delirium, and hallucinations.
- Stopping opioids (e.g., heroin, fentanyl, or Oxycontin) can cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you abruptly stop any drug. Medical detox is often necessary if you have withdrawal symptoms after stopping alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and high doses of opioids.
With medical detox, you have access to care around the clock. You may receive medications and intravenous fluids to ease the withdrawal symptoms.
The length of time detox varies from several days to several weeks. It is not a substitute for rehab, but instead the first step toward recovery.
Once you are in a substance-free state, you can begin treatment for your alcohol misuse or SUD.
Specialized Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Maryland
Matching a treatment center to your demographic may be important. You’ll be among others who have similar life experiences. And counselors who have a deeper understanding of how your background, sexual orientation, or stage of life affects treatment can be more effective. Specialized rehabs include:
Veteran Rehab
Rehabs specializing in treatment for veterans recognize the importance of treating both co-occurring mental health disorders and alcohol or SUDs. Mental health disorders include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Psychotherapy and group therapy with other veterans who have similar experiences (such as combat, trauma, deployment, or reintegration into society) are beneficial.20
LGBTQ+ Rehab
As an LGBTQ+ person, you may have a higher rate of alcohol misuse and SUDs.21 One study showed rehabs specializing in the treatment of gay and bisexual men with alcohol or SUDs showed better outcomes.22
Men-Only Rehab
Men sometimes feel they need to be stoic, self-sufficient, and independent. In a mixed-gender rehab, men may remain quiet rather than share their vulnerabilities and perceived weaknesses. Men-only rehabs give men the freedom to speak openly about their addiction, being victimized, their feelings of losing control, and issues with anger.23
Women-Only Rehab
A history of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse often accompanies SUDs in women. Mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression, and eating disorders are often associated with alcohol and SUDS as well. Addressing these co-occurring issues and SUD treatment in a safe, secure women-only rehab can be beneficial.24
Teen Rehab
At a time when teens are bonding more with peers than parents, alcohol and substance use treatment is more effective in a teen rehab. It’s geared toward the changes happening in the adolescent brain and psyche. Group therapy with fellow teens allows them to share their viewpoints, struggles, and victories with others in the same situation. Treatment focuses on their level of development and contributing factors such as family dynamics and childhood trauma.25
Should I Travel to Maryland for Drug or Alcohol Rehab?
Even though receiving treatment in your home state may be more affordable, sometimes traveling to a new place might be a better choice. Here are some reasons to consider traveling to Maryland for rehab:
- Your home state doesn’t offer the treatment you need.
- Your insurance has more in-network facilities.
- You have a strong support system.
- You’ll have more privacy.
- You need some distance from a stressful home environment.
Regional Considerations in Maryland
The Eastern Shore region of Maryland includes Baltimore, the mid-Atlantic coastline, and the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore has historic landmarks, attractions, restaurants, and plenty of access to the water. Beach towns are scattered along the bay and ocean.
The Capitol area offers easy access to all this metropolitan area has to offer. Potomac ranks highly in the area.
The Western region is home to the historic city of Frederick and the Allegheny Mountains. This part of the state is ideal for those who enjoy spending time in nature.
Alcohol and Drug Laws in Maryland
Protection Against Discrimination: Article 49B affords protection against discrimination for Maryland residents who are currently in rehab, have previously completed a substance use disorder treatment program, and are no longer using drugs illegally.26
Marijuana Laws: On November 8, 2022, Maryland voted to legalize recreational marijuana use. Titled “Question 4” on the ballot, voters approved the amendment which allows residents to possess, use, and grow marijuana. Beginning on July 1, 2023, adults aged 21 and up can possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to two plants for personal use in Maryland.27
Low-Level Drug Possession: Currently possessing small amounts of illicit drugs and/or drug paraphernalia is no longer prosecuted. This took effect in March 2020 to reduce the number of people jailed for minor offenses during COVID-19, and it remains in effect.28
Alcohol and Drug Courts: Rather than seeking punishment, alcohol and drug courts help you receive treatment for SUDs with the goal of lasting recovery.
The Good Samaritan Law: This law protects anyone who seeks medical care for themselves or others after taking drugs or drinking alcohol. The law protects you from being arrested or prosecuted for:29
- Having or taking a controlled substance.
- Having or using drug paraphernalia.
- Providing alcohol to a minor.
- Drinking alcohol if you are a minor.
Ongoing Support and Aftercare Options
Aftercare provides essential support and relapse prevention after you’ve completed a rehab program. You will work with your counselor to set up an aftercare plan before you’re discharged from rehab. This is a small step with huge benefits in making your transition less stressful.
Aftercare may include:
- Admission to outpatient step-down rehab after inpatient treatment.
- Staying in a sober living home.
- Having a sober mentor.
- Continued individual or group counseling.
- Faith-based recovery meetings such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous.
- Secular recovery meetings such as SMART Recovery, Secular Organizations for Sobriety, or LifeRing Secular Recovery.
- Staying in touch with your counselor or case manager.
Resources
- U.S. News & World Report. (2019). Best States: Maryland.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). 2019 Drug Overdose Rates.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Maryland — National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2019-2020.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2021). Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS): 2019 Admissions to and Discharges from Publicly Funded Substance Use Treatment.
- Maryland Opioid Operational Command Center. (2021). 2020 Annual Report.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). National Center for Health Statistics: Maryland.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts.
- National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. (n.d.). Average Cost of Rehab.
- Healthcare.gov. (n.d.). Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coverage.
- Maryland Insurance Administration. (n.d.). Is a Short-Term Medical Plan for You?
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (n.d.). The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
- Maryland Department of Health. (2022). Maryland Medicaid Administration.
- Medicare.gov. (2022). Your Medicare Coverage — Mental Health.
- Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. (2022). 2022 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles.
- 10,000 Beds. (2022). How to Apply for a Scholarship.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Addiction Treatment Settings.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Principles of Effective Treatment.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Telehealth for Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders.
- Federal Communications Commission. (2022). Emergency Broadband Benefit.
- National Institute for Drug Abuse. (2019). Substance Use and Military Life Drug Facts.
- Medley G, Lipari R, Bose J, Cribb D, Kroutil L, McHenry G. NSDUH Data Review. (2016). Sexual Orientation and Estimates of Adult Substance Use and Mental Health: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Substance Use and SUDs in LGBTQ* Populations.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Addressing the Specific Behavioral Health Needs of Men.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Addressing the Specific Needs of Women for Treatment of Substance Use Disorders.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Screening and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders in Adolescents.
- Maryland Department of Health. (n.d.). Drug Abuse as a Disability.
- Ballotpedia. (2022). Maryland Marijuana Legalization Amendment (2022).
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (2021). Baltimore’s No-Prosecution Policy for Low-Level Drug Possession and Prostitution Finds Almost No Rearrests for Serious Offenses.
- Queen Anne’s County Health Department. (n.d.). Good Samaritan Law.
- Maryland Courts. (2022). Drug Treatment Courts.
