Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics in Columbia, Missouri
There’s a lot to learn about substance use disorders and their consequences in Columbia, Missouri. Let’s look at some of the most recent statistics for Columbia and Boone County:3,4
- In 2017, most individuals discharged from the ER with nonfatal overdoses were male, with the majority being between the ages of 15 and 34.
- About 77% of all fatal overdoses in Boone County occur in either a house or an apartment.
- By 2018, the number of overdose fatalities increased by 50%.
- By 2021, there were a total of 765 treatment admissions, 39 of which were teenagers under 18.
- Of the total treatment admissions for 2021, 441 were male and 324 were female.
- The largest amount of treatment admissions in 2021 by race were white, African American, and Hispanic, respectively.
- 38% of fatal overdose cases in Boone County occurred among people with a history of substance use issues.
- About 8% of those who die from an overdose had previously experienced an overdose.
Paying for Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Columbia, Missouri
It is commonly thought that rehab is only affordable if you make a nice living. However, there’s quality care out there for all income levels. Costs of rehab will vary depending on the type of program (inpatient or outpatient), long-term or short-term stays, types of amenities offered, and location. You have plenty of options when it comes to paying for drug and alcohol rehab in Columbia, Missouri:
- Private health insurance: Health insurance is arguably the best way to afford treatment. All facilities generally accept private health insurance, however, the amount that your insurance will cover depends entirely on your policy’s behavioral health benefits. You’ll also need to make sure that your intended facility falls “in-network” with your insurance provider to get coverage.
- Medicaid: Medicaid provides health coverage to low-come individuals (with a few exceptions)5 and virtually all plans include behavioral health coverage. To be eligible for Medicaid, your income level must be below the federal poverty line, and you must be a legal resident of the state you’ll be receiving care in.5
- Medicare: Medicare provides insurance to people over the age of 65 and some younger individuals with disabilities. It covers a variety of substance abuse treatment services.
- Free rehab: Free rehab centers are state-funded facilities that offer completely free or low-cost care for low-income individuals with no other options. This even includes methadone clinics that provide opioid addiction treatment medication, among other types of treatment.
Some free drug and alcohol rehab options in Columbia, Missouri include:
- Family Counseling Center of Missouri – Columbia Outpatient Clinic.
- Burrell Behavioral Center.
- Preferred Family Healthcare Inc.
How Easy Is it to Travel to and Within Columbia, Missouri?
Columbia, Missouri is home to the University of Missouri. It sits as the principal city of the five-county Columbia metropolitan area and as a result, is one of the state’s most populous cities.6
Attractions
You’ll find that Columbia is a very eclectic city with plenty to do. There are diverse restaurants, tons of shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities, gardens, golf courses, and other attractions.6 There are also plenty of cultural and historical sites, including the Avenue of the Columns, Boone Junction Village, and more.6
It should also be noted that the MKT is among the most popular parks for hiking and has been ranked second in the nation for the “Best Urban Trail” by USA Today.6
Accommodations
There are also plenty of places to stay throughout the city, including camping sites, boutique hotels, commercial hotels, bed and breakfasts, and Airbnb, so you shouldn’t have an issue finding something within your budget if you’re visiting a loved one.
Public Transportation
Lastly, Columbia, Missouri hosts decent public transportation services via its Go COMO Public Transport. While the public transportation here is mainly dependent upon buses, you shouldn’t have an issue finding ride-shares or cabs if needed. The most walkable neighborhoods here are Tenth Hitt Elm Locust, Douglass Park, and Downtown. The rest of the city isn’t considered walkable and if you plan to stay a while to tour the city with a loved one staying in a treatment facility, it’s a good idea to rent a car to get around.
Resources
- Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. (n.d.). Drug Overdose Dashboard – Fatal Overdoses.
- Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. (n.d.). MO Hope Project – Good Samaritan Brochure.
- Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. (n.d.). Boone County Opioids Fact Sheet 2019.
- Missouri Department of Mental Health. (n.d.). Substance Use Disorder Treatment – Fiscal Year 2021 Boone County.
- Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services. (n.d.) Medicaid Eligibility.
- Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau. (n.d.). What to Do in Columbia, Missouri.
