Expert Insights
Lincoln has seen more than its fair share of drug overdose deaths in recent years. More and more of these deaths are due to fentanyl. In 2019, 33% of opioid deaths involved this powerful drug.
By 2021, that number was up to 95%. Fortunately, in August of 2021, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department issued a Health Alert, after the police department responded to 50 overdose case in 30 days. Lincoln also offers crisis hotlines and locations that provide free naloxone. These efforts seemed to help, since the city’s overdose rate decreased somewhat in 2022, after three straight years of increases.
It’s good to see the city stepping up with effective efforts that will prevent future tragedies.
How We Rank Listings
Every facility on this page is evaluated against the same criteria so families can compare options on the things that matter most in recovery. We prioritize licensing and accreditation, the range of care levels offered, the payment types accepted, and whether a program treats co-occurring mental health conditions alongside substance use.
Listings are organized to surface programs that meet verified quality standards and serve a broad range of needs. We look at the following when ordering and presenting facilities:
- Current state licensure and recognized accreditation from the Joint Commission or CARF
- Breadth of care, from medical detox and inpatient treatment through outpatient and aftercare
- Accepted payment methods, including Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and sliding-scale options
- Availability of dual diagnosis care and specialty tracks for populations such as veterans, women, and young adults
We do not accept payment in exchange for a higher ranking. Facility information is reviewed regularly and updated as programs change.
Rehab in Lincoln: What to Know
Lincoln is the seat of Lancaster County and Nebraska’s second-largest city, and it functions as one of the state’s two hubs for substance use treatment alongside Omaha. Our directory lists 27 treatment facilities in the Lincoln area, spanning medical detox, inpatient care, and a deep bench of outpatient options. Families across southeast Nebraska frequently travel to Lincoln for care because rural counties in the region have few local providers. You can compare programs statewide through the Nebraska rehab directory, then narrow to Lincoln for options close to home.
The city’s treatment landscape is anchored by a small number of nonprofit and hospital-affiliated providers. CenterPointe, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, operates a broad continuum of crisis response, outpatient, residential, and peer support programs and serves many clients living on very low incomes. The Bridge Behavioral Health, a nonprofit that has served Lincoln for more than 40 years, runs a voluntary medical withdrawal unit and residential and outpatient programs from its location at 721 K Street. Bryan Health and the Lincoln VA also provide substance use services. Understanding the full range of addiction treatment options can help you match a program to the level of support you need.
Lancaster County has recorded a marked decline in fatal overdoses in recent years. The Lincoln Police Department reported drug overdose deaths falling from 224 in 2022 to 86 in 2024. Even so, treatment providers caution that methamphetamine use remains steady in the area and that Nebraska’s low reported overdose death rate is disputed. A 2025 Flatwater Free Press analysis found the state likely undercounts drug deaths, and CenterPointe’s clinical leadership has reported a sharp rise in opioid-related emergencies in recent years despite the falling death count.
Because treatment options are concentrated in Lincoln and Omaha, access can hinge on transportation and program capacity. Medicaid-covered programs and nonprofit providers tend to fill quickly, so calling ahead to confirm openings and verify benefits is worthwhile.
Cost of Rehab in Lincoln
The cost of treatment in Lincoln depends on the level of care, program length, and whether you use insurance. Nebraska ranks 42nd nationally for treatment affordability, and services in Lincoln generally track statewide averages. The figures below reflect Nebraska averages for care without insurance and are a useful starting point when planning. Most programs work with insurance and offer payment options that lower these out-of-pocket amounts considerably.
These are statewide averages, not Lincoln-specific quotes. Because Lincoln is one of Nebraska’s two treatment hubs, local costs are generally at or near the state average. The single biggest factor in what you actually pay is insurance coverage. Verifying your benefits before admission is the most reliable way to understand your real cost, and you can learn more about using insurance for rehab before you call a program.
When comparing options, weigh the cost of a full inpatient program against lower-cost outpatient care, which can be appropriate for people with stable housing and milder symptoms.
How to Pay for Rehab in Lincoln
Across the 27 facilities in the Lincoln directory, a wide range of payment methods is accepted. Most programs take self-payment and private insurance, and a strong majority accept Medicaid and Medicare. Sliding-scale fees, financial assistance, TRICARE, and financing are available at a meaningful number of programs as well. The overview below reflects how many Lincoln-area facilities accept each payment type.
The right payment path depends on your coverage and financial situation. The sections below explain the most common options for Lincoln residents.
Medicare
Twelve Lincoln-area facilities accept Medicare, which covers medically necessary substance use treatment for eligible adults age 65 and older and for some younger adults with qualifying disabilities. Coverage typically includes inpatient hospital care, outpatient services, and counseling. Because covered services and cost-sharing vary by plan, it helps to understand how Medicare covers addiction treatment before enrolling in a program.
Medicaid
Nebraska Medicaid, branded as Heritage Health, is accepted at 15 Lincoln-area facilities and is one of the most reliable paths to affordable care in the state. Heritage Health is delivered through managed care organizations, and all of them cover substance use disorder treatment, including buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. Nebraska expanded Medicaid to adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level, which broadened access for many low-income residents. If medication-assisted treatment is part of your plan, confirm which specific medications your managed care plan covers.
Military Benefits
Nine Lincoln-area facilities accept TRICARE, and the Lincoln VA clinic operates a dedicated substance use disorder program for eligible veterans. Service members, veterans, and their families can access care through these channels, and additional support is available through rehab resources for veterans and military.
Insurance and Private Pay
Private insurance is accepted at 23 Lincoln facilities, and 25 accept self-payment. Under federal parity rules, most plans cover substance use treatment comparably to other medical care, though network status and prior authorization requirements differ by plan. Verifying benefits ahead of time prevents surprises about deductibles and covered services.
Other Low-Cost Options
Nine Lincoln facilities offer sliding-scale fees, 11 offer financial assistance, and 6 offer financing. These options make care accessible to uninsured and underinsured residents by tying costs to income or spreading payments over time.
Free Treatment Programs
One Lincoln facility offers fully free treatment, and nonprofit providers such as CenterPointe and The Bridge Behavioral Health serve many clients regardless of ability to pay. Some programs are supported by grants and community funding. If cost is a barrier, ask about rehab scholarships and grant-funded slots when you call.
Major insurance carriers accepted at Lincoln-area programs include:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
- Cigna
- Heritage Health
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Molina Healthcare
- Nebraska Total Care
- TRICARE
- UnitedHealthcare
Levels of Care Available in Lincoln
Lincoln offers a full continuum of care, with 16 facilities providing medical detox, 16 offering inpatient treatment, and 24 providing outpatient services. Nineteen programs treat co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions.
Medical detox is the supervised process of clearing substances from the body while managing withdrawal safely. It is often the first step for people dependent on alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines. The Bridge Behavioral Health operates a voluntary medically supervised withdrawal unit in downtown Lincoln. Learn more about what to expect during medical detox.
Inpatient and residential treatment provides 24-hour care in a structured setting, typically for 30 days or longer. This level suits people who need to step away from daily triggers and focus fully on recovery. Read more about residential treatment.
Outpatient treatment is the most widely available level in Lincoln, letting people live at home while attending therapy and medical appointments. It ranges from standard weekly counseling to more intensive schedules. Explore outpatient rehab and intensive outpatient programs.
Dual diagnosis care treats substance use alongside conditions such as depression or anxiety, which frequently occur together. Nineteen Lincoln programs offer this integrated approach, which is important because untreated co-occurring depression can undermine recovery.
Aftercare and sober living support the transition back to daily life once formal treatment ends. Ongoing rehab aftercare such as counseling, peer support, and structured housing helps people maintain progress over the long term.
Specialty Programs in Lincoln
Lincoln programs offer specialized tracks that tailor treatment to specific populations and substances. These tracks recognize that recovery needs differ by age, gender, background, and the substance involved. The counts below reflect how many Lincoln-area facilities offer each specialty.
Alcohol remains the most commonly treated substance in Lincoln, with 25 programs offering dedicated care for alcohol use disorder. Sixteen programs treat opioid use disorder, often combining medication with counseling. Twenty programs serve young adults, a group whose treatment often benefits from age-specific peer support and attention to young adult and college student substance use. Five programs offer LGBTQ+ affirming addiction care, and four provide dedicated tracks supported by rehab resources for veterans and military. Gender-specific programming is widely available, with 19 men’s and 18 women’s programs.
Free and Low-Cost Rehab Resources in Lincoln
Beyond formal treatment programs, Lincoln and Lancaster County offer crisis lines, government services, and nonprofit resources for people who need immediate help or cannot afford private care. The organizations below provide crisis support, treatment connections, and harm reduction services.
Crisis Lines
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7. Nebraska calls are routed to the Boys Town National Call Center. See more crisis and suicide prevention resources.
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service.
- CenterPointe Crisis Response: Free and confidential crisis support for Lancaster County residents experiencing a substance use or mental health crisis. A mobile crisis team responds within Lincoln city limits. Phone: (402) 475-8748.
- Mental Health Crisis Center of Lancaster County: 825 J Street, Lincoln. Emergency crisis assessment and short-term stabilization. Phone: (402) 441-8276.
Nonprofit and Community Providers
- The Bridge Behavioral Health: 721 K Street, Lincoln. Nonprofit voluntary medical withdrawal, residential, and outpatient care serving southeast Nebraska. Phone: (402) 477-3951.
- CenterPointe: 2220 South 10th Street, Lincoln. Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic offering crisis response, outpatient, residential, and peer support. Phone: (402) 475-8748.
- Lutheran Family Services Substance Abuse Program: 2201 South 17th Street, Lincoln. Behavioral health and substance use counseling on a sliding scale. Phone: (402) 441-7940.
Government and Statewide Support
- Nebraska 211: Dial 211 to connect with local social services, including mental health and substance use treatment, housing, and utility assistance.
- Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department: Provides public health services and referrals for county residents. Website: lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Health-Department.
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services: 301 Centennial Mall S, Lincoln. Maintains treatment finders and the statewide resource database. Website: dhhs.ne.gov.
Harm Reduction
- Stop Overdose Nebraska: Provides a statewide list of pharmacies that carry naloxone (Narcan), including many in Lincoln. CenterPointe also offers harm reduction education and helps community members access naloxone. Website: stopodne.com.
Veterans and Military
- Lincoln VA Substance Use Disorders Program (NWIHCS): 600 South 70th Street, Lincoln. Dedicated substance use treatment for eligible veterans. Additional guidance is available through veterans addiction resources.
Drug and Alcohol Use Statistics in Lincoln
Lancaster County has seen a substantial drop in fatal overdoses over the past several years, though public health researchers caution that Nebraska’s reported figures likely undercount the true toll. The most recent local data shows fatal overdoses in Lincoln and Lancaster County fell sharply between 2022 and 2024, even as methamphetamine use and non-fatal overdoses persist.
The decline in fatal overdoses is notable, but it does not tell the whole story. A 2025 Flatwater Free Press analysis of CDC data found that Nebraska’s overdose death rate and its rate of non-fatal overdoses do not align, indicating the state has long undercounted drug deaths. Emergency departments in Nebraska reported non-fatal overdoses at roughly the same rate as Montana and Texas in 2023, yet those states recorded overdose deaths at about double Nebraska’s rate. Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have estimated that the state’s drug-involved death rate rose 73% between 2010 and 2022.
For people concerned about opioid risk in the area, understanding opioid use disorder and the treatment options available locally is an important first step. National context on substance use trends is available through published substance use statistics.
Resources
- Lincoln Police Department, via KOLN/1011 Now. (2025). New study shows Nebraska has lowest opioid overdose deaths in country. https://www.1011now.com/2025/08/05/new-study-shows-nebraska-has-lowest-opioid-overdose-deaths-country/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, via USAFacts. (2023). How many drug overdose deaths happen every year in Nebraska? https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-drug-overdose-deaths-happen-every-year-in-the-us/state/nebraska/
- Flatwater Free Press. (2025). We don’t know the real number of Nebraskans dying from drugs. It’s costing us. https://flatwaterfreepress.org/we-dont-know-the-real-number-of-nebraskans-dying-from-drugs-its-costing-us/
- CenterPointe. (2025). Crisis Response. https://centerpointe.org/programs/crisis_response.html
- Lancaster County, Nebraska. (2025). Mental Health Crisis Center. https://www.lancaster.ne.gov/368/Mental-Health-Crisis-Center
- The Bridge Behavioral Health. (2025). A safe passage to recovery starts here. https://thebridgenebraska.org/
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. (2025). Heritage Health. https://dhhs.ne.gov/
- Addictions.com. (2026). Alcohol and Drug Rehabs in Nebraska. https://www.addictions.com/rehabs/nebraska/
