Expert Insights
Mississippi is predominantly a rural state, with 79.3% of its counties considered to be rural areas. Rural areas face unique challenges when providing substance abuse treatment. Residents often have reduced access to hospitals, clinics, mental health facilities, and not-for-profit organizations that offer addiction treatment services.
One factor in the rural lifestyle, however, can be a mitigating factor and even an added benefit. In such smaller communities, churches, schools, and other community organizations tend to work more collaboratively together, and often become sites for community education and recovery treatment services. Clients may benefit from the support offered by familiar, friendly faces.~ Rita Milios
Top 5 Drug Rehabs in Mississippi
Every alcohol and drug rehab in Mississippi offers its own set of unique amenities, programs, and therapies. Evidence-based treatment is available at multiple inpatient centers in Mississippi. These facilities often provide a range of therapies, faith-based treatments, and outpatient options for recovery.
Below are the top five addiction treatment centers in Mississippi based on the following criteria:
- Offering evidence-based treatment
- Accreditation
- Certifications
- Client testimonials / reviews
Oxford Treatment Center – Etta
Oxford Treatment Center is an alcohol and substance abuse treatment program located in Etta, Mississippi. Their main campus, which is set on 10 acres of wooded, rolling hills, provides clinical-based treatment for co-occurring disorders and substance misuse. Special tracks include veterans services, couples programs, and trauma-informed care.
Oxford Treatment Center specializes in:
- Medical Detox
- Inpatient
- Partial Hospitalization
- Intensive Outpatient
- Telehealth
- Veteran’s
- Couple’s Program
- Trauma Support Treatment Track
- Sober Living
Treatment programs are supported by:
- The Joint Commission
- Mississippi Department of Mental Health
Location and contact information:
297 County Road 244
Etta, MS 38627
(928) 900-2011
Defining Wellness Centers – Jackson
Defining Wellness Center is a premier drug and alcohol rehab center located just outside of Jackson, in the small town of Brandon, Mississippi. Situated on 26 acres of green landscape, Defining Wellness Center provides conventional treatments along with music therapy, equine therapy, trauma care, fitness classes, and wellness services. The staff is comprised of board-certified addiction medical doctors and licensed clinicians who assess and oversee the entire treatment course.
Defining Wellness Centers specializes in:
- Medical Detox
- Inpatient
- Partial Hospitalization
- Outpatient
- Dual Diagnosis
- Equine Therapy
- Music Therapy
- Aftercare
Treatment programs are supported by:
- The Joint Commission
- LegitScript Certified
Location and contact information:
3949 Highway 43 North
Brandon, MS 39047
(855) 790-9303
Vertava Health – Southaven
Vertava Health is a comprehensive, evidence-based behavioral health treatment center with locations throughout the state of Mississippi. Specialty programs such as adolescent-focused, veteran’s support, LGBTQIA support, men’s rehab, women’s rehab, and professional tracks are available. They also provide a long-term stay option for those interested in rebuilding their life upon completion of the initial acute phase of treatment.
Vertava Health specializes in:
- Detox
- Long-term Inpatient
- Partial Hospitalization
- Intensive Outpatient
- Outpatient
- Co-occurring Diagnosis
- Medication Assisted Treatment
- Telehealth
- Adolescent Program
Treatment programs are supported by:
- The Joint Commission
- LegitScript Certified
Location and contact information:
340 Stateline Road West
Southaven, MS 38671
(888) 956-6369
Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center – Biloxi
Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center is a family owned and operated drug and alcohol rehab location in Biloxi, Mississippi. Their treatment programs last from 30 – 90 days to support a full detox and time spent working through the underlying causes of the addictive tendencies. New coping skills for living outside of rehab are introduced and integrated prior to discharge.
Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center specializes in:
- Detox
- Residential Inpatient
- Partial Hospitalization
- Intensive Outpatient
- Aftercare
Treatment programs are supported by:
- The Joint Commission
Location and contact information:
3251 Reece Bergeron Road
Biloxi, MS 39532
(855) 334-6120
Home of Grace – Vancleave
The Home of Grace is a Christ-centered, faith-based recovery program for men and women in Vancleave and Gautier, Mississippi. They provide three month programs that emphasize spiritual disciplines for recovery, therapy, work readiness, and community living. Scholarships are provided for those in need.
Home of Grace specializes in:
- Residential Treatment
Treatment programs are supported by:
- Legit Script Certified
Location and contact information:
14200 Jericho Rd
Vancleave, MS 39565
(228) 826-5283
Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Use Statistics
In 2019, 3,000 individuals (0.11% of the MS population) aged 12 and older had a heroin use disorder.1
In the same year, approximately 96,000 individuals (3.9% of the MS population) aged 12 and older experienced prescription pain reliever misuse.1
Approximately 2.4% (58,000 individuals) of the MS population aged 12 and older had an illicit drug use disorder.1
In 2019, 4.4% (107,000) of individuals aged 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder.1
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost?
The costs of addiction treatment centers in Mississippi depend on the type you attend (such as inpatient vs. outpatient), the duration of your stay during care, and the services you receive.
For example, an inpatient stay after a medical detox for 60 days would be more expensive than receiving weekly outpatient therapy sessions for 30 days. Ultimately, you can expect to pay between $0 (if you have insurance or attend a free facility) and tens of thousands of dollars (if you choose a luxury treatment center or attend long-term inpatient).
Low-Cost and Free Drug Rehab Centers in Mississippi
If you find that the cost of alcohol and drug rehab centers in Mississippi prevents you from seeking help, you may have low-cost or even free options. One of the best options is a state-funded facility. This type of facility receives financial grants from the government to provide addiction treatment at a low or no cost to those who can’t afford it.
State-funded facilities are usually available to those with low income or no insurance.
Does Insurance Cover Rehab Center Costs?
By law, private insurance is required to cover the cost of addiction treatment services, though the extent may vary depending on your plan and provider.
Private Insurance
Whether you purchased insurance from the Healthcare Marketplace or have benefits through your workplace, your private insurance plan can cover some of the cost of alcohol and drug addiction treatment. This might include inpatient and/or outpatient services.
Medicaid
Mississippi Medicaid can be used to cover the cost of several addiction treatment services, like prescription medications, inpatient rehab, PHPs, IOPs, and more.
Medicare
Mississippi Medicare can also be used to pay for drug and alcohol services for those who qualify for this government health program.
TRICARE
TRICARE provides health insurance to members and retirees of the U.S. military and their dependents. People with this federal insurance program can use it to pay for drug and alcohol rehab in Mississippi.
Do I need a Substance Abuse Assessment?
When you first decide to seek out alcohol or drug rehab, you may contact your healthcare provider or the facility of your choice to start the screening process.
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
Understanding Addiction Treatment Settings
Medical detox is often the first step on your long-term recovery path. This is used to help you manage distressing and potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms that come from suddenly stopping substances.
Inpatient rehab is a type of care that requires you to spend the entirety of your treatment in a residential facility, offering you a highly structured environment free of triggers.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) allow you to receive comprehensive care while leaving the facility and returning home in the evenings.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) utilize intense therapy while also allowing you to return home each night.
Standard outpatient treatment gives you comprehensive therapy on a more flexible schedule. With outpatient therapy, you can usually go to work or school and also spend your nights in your own home.
Aftercare is a form of ongoing support such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous), Smart Recovery, sober living homes, and ongoing therapy.
What to Consider When Choosing a Mississippi Rehab
Choosing the best Mississippi drug rehab for you is an important first step on your road to recovery. When searching, you should consider the following:
Program Accreditation
Program accreditation is a process that facilities go through to ensure you can trust them to provide high-quality services. If you find drug rehab centers in Mississippi that are accredited, it lets you know that your program of choice has met the standards set forth by accreditation bodies and, therefore, is able to provide high-quality services.
Credentialing of Staff
Staff credentials show that your team has had the proper training to give you the best care. A quality facility will have certified staff since Mississippi doesn’t currently offer licensing for substance use disorder counseling.5
Utilizing Individualized Treatment Plans
A quality rehab uses individualized plans tailored to meet your needs and address your specific triggers and stressors so that you can develop and implement a plan to help you stay on the road to recovery.
Staff-to-Patient Ratio
A low staff-to-patient ratio allows you to get the individualized care that you need without feeling as if you are being neglected, ignored, or rushed in your experience.
Financing Options
The cost can be a huge factor in preventing you from getting the treatment you need. High-quality drug and alcohol rehab centers in Mississippi will understand this and work with you to make sure that finances aren’t stopping you from journeying toward recovery.
Aftercare Planning
A quality facility may offer an aftercare plan that includes employment options, educational goals, a plan to prevent relapse, and continued support from both your team and your peers.
Alumni Programs
Staying connected to your support system is important in your recovery journey. A quality rehab understands and appreciates the bonds and connections that you make with your peers as you go through treatment together.
Should You Travel for Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Mississippi?
When deciding whether you should travel to drug rehab in Mississippi, keep these things in mind:
- There is a particular facility you want to attend in Mississippi
- You have friends or family in Mississippi, and their support will help you
- Your insurance covers treatment in Mississippi
- You found a Mississippi drug rehab that has all of the amenities you want
Drug and Alcohol Laws in Mississippi
Possessing and/or using illegal drugs in Mississippi is a crime. Mississippi has strict drug laws, and if you are found guilty of possessing, selling, and/or using illegal drugs, you can be sentenced to prison time and/or a hefty fine.
The length of your sentence depends on the amount and type of drug possessed.
DUI Laws: In Mississippi, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and drugs is considered a crime punishable by jail or prison time, fines, or both. You may also lose your driver’s license for up to 120 days. With a first-offense DUI, you can be sentenced to up to 48 hours in jail and a fine of up $1,000. Second offenses can require up to six months of community service and participation in an alcohol or drug rehab program.
Mississippi Good Samaritan Overdose Law: This life-saving law encourages a witness to an overdose to call 911 by protecting them from prosecution for drug possession.
Mississippi Naloxone Access Law: Residents can obtain naloxone (Narcan) from pharmacies without a prescription.
Resources
- Opioids and Substance Use – Mississippi State Department of Health. (n.d.). MS Department of Health.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- HHS Publication No. SMA–20–Baro–19–MS. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2020. Behavioral Health Barometer: Mississippi, Volume 6: Indicators as measured through the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- Screening and Assessment Tools Chart | National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
- de Andrade, Dominique; Elphinston, Rachel A.; Quinn, Catherine; Allan, Julaine; Hides, Leanne. 2019. The effectiveness of residential treatment services for individuals with substance use disorders: A systematic review. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 201, 227-235.
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues intensive Outpatient Treatment. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 47. 2006. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 06-4182. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- US Department of Health and Human Services. 2019. Credentialing, Licensing, and Reimbursement of the SUD Workforce [Ebook] (p. viii).
