Expert Insights
I recently learned about a new bill making its way through the North Carolina Senate, and I am very impressed with the bipartisan proposal meant to help fight back against the opioid epidemic. Known as Senate Bill 189, the proposal asks for much stricter charges and sentences for drug dealers, expansion of the state’s Good Samaritan Law in order to encourage more people to call 911 when they witness a potential overdose, and the creation of a task force that would aid state and local law enforcement in the trafficking and manufacturing of fentanyl, heroin, and other control substances. To illustrate the potential power of this bill, let’s say someone is caught selling fentanyl in North Carolina. Under this bill they can be prosecuted under a B2 felony – that’s a charge of second degree murder! .This bill has already passed the first round of reading in the NC Senate. If it’s signed into law, as it is expected to be, it would go into effect on December 1st of this year. Way to go, North Carolina!
~ Nikki Seay
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in North Carolina?
North Carolina is ranked 28th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $56,759 (without insurance).
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $139,932
- Long-term inpatient drug rehab in North Carolina costs an average of $50,086
- Outpatient addiction treatment in North Carolina costs an average of $8,322
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,394
The exact cost of rehab for addiction in North Carolina can vary widely. The final cost to you will depend on many factors, including:
Type of rehab (inpatient vs. outpatient)
Location (city vs. suburb)
Amenities and features (luxury vs. standard)
Length of treatment stay
Insurance plans accepted
How Do You Pay for Addiction Treatment in North Carolina?
North Carolina has rehab facilities that use state or federally awarded grant money to help uninsured or individuals with a low socio-economic status pay for substance use treatment. In some cases, it can be harder to find a free rehab program.
However, there are directories you can use to find a program that best fits your specific needs. Funding for free rehab programs often come from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
It’s important research and contact your desired programs to ensure your needs are being met appropriately.
As of 2024, there were over 700 drug rehab facilities across the state of North Carolina. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those treatment facilities, the following numbers reflect how many offer free or low-cost addiction treatment:
545 accept self-payment or cash
286 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
421 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
325 accept state funded insurance coverage
415 accept private health insurance
238 offer free or low-cost treatment
21 offer free treatment for all clients
29 accept tribal funding
If you are uninsured, you can still seek testament at a state-funded facility. There are plenty of options when it comes to free drug and alcohol rehab in North Carolina.3
The centers serve specific regions within the state, so you would go to the center that treats people in the county where you live. Your doctor can refer you to one of the state centers, or you can seek treatment yourself without a referral. All admission decisions are based on evaluation by the center staff. If you don’t qualify for admission to the center, the staff will refer you to another facility.
If you can’t get a bed in a state-run center, you can still get help. Some private or non-profit facilities will work with you on managing your costs if you don’t have insurance.
In most cases, you will need to contact the facility and discuss your financial concerns with the staff directly. Together you can work out a plan that best services your needs.
If you work, your employer may offer to help you pay. Check if your workplace has an Employee Assistance Plan that could be helpful to you.
When you look for a center, ask if it offers:
Choose a Program that Offers Payment Plans: Some facilities offer payment plans. They will work with you and your insurance company to determine your share of the cost. Rather than asking you to pay all at once, they will set up a schedule of payments.
Apply for a Scholarship: You may be able to find a non-profit organization or treatment center that will offer a scholarship to pay for addiction treatment. The North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services can provide information about state-issued assistance.
Find a Sliding-Scale Program: Many North Carolina drug rehabs adjust their fees based on a sliding scale according to what patients are able to pay. The staff at the facility will ask you about your income, savings, and insurance policies.
Private Pay + Insurance
You have options to pay for treatment in North Carolina, with many of them accepting health insurance. Some providers will even allow you to self pay. Each insurance is different in what specific type of rehab that it covers. It is important to talk with your insurance provider to understand in and out of network benefits and coverage.
Here are some of the following major private insurance carriers in North Carolina:
- Cigna
- Humana
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
- Oscar Health
Medicaid and Medicare
Medicaid will cover most or all expenses related to substance use screenings and intervention services. It will also help cover the cost of maintenance and craving medications, such as Suboxone, methadone, or naltrexone. It can also help pay for family counseling and inpatient care. For individuals who are 65 years or older and have Medicare, it can cover the costs of inpatient and outpatient drug rehabilitation. Medicare consists of four parts that cover different parts of addiction recovery programs.
Military Insurance
If you’re a veteran or have military insurance such as TRICARE, substance use treatment can be covered. TRICARE covers a variety of services such as inpatient care, medication assisted treatment, outpatient services, partial hospitalization programs, and residential care. Each Veterans Administration in the state of North Carolina has its own resources to ensure you get the help you need. Some of them may even have their own alcohol rehab or substance abuse programs on site. Contact them for further assistance regarding their specific modalities and programs to start the process of getting admitted for treatment.
Tribal Funding/Programs
The purpose of SAMHSA’s Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) Grant program is to address the opioid crisis in tribal communities. TOR has helped with the lack of access to treatment and has increased the access to culturally appropriate and evidence-based treatment. In North Carolina, the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority helps members of the Cherokee tribe access substance abuse treatment.
Other low-cost options
Each addiction treatment center is different and other low-cost options can vary between each one, depending on the amenities and luxuries featured. Some programs may offer financial aid, such as scholarships, to help pay for treatment. Others may offer a sliding payment scale based on income. It’s important to talk with your provider to see what options they offer when it comes to paying for or accessing treatment.
Free Addiction Treatment Resources in North Carolina
- Charlotte Rescue Mission Rebound – Charlotte, NC: They provide alcohol and drug treatment to adults 18 and older. They’re a Christian, faith-based program. This program uses Biblical applications to help handle triggers. You’ll also get to address the mind, body, and spirit as a whole. You will also learn how to rebuild your healthy relationships, obtain employment, and find supportive, stable housing.
- Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers (TROSA) – Durham, NC: This program is a nonprofit organization that can provide multi-year residential treatment services. They offer free housing, meals, clothing, health services, vocational skills, life skills, and counseling. They have a comprehensive approach that addresses all conditions, such as homelessness or incarceration, in addition to alcohol and drug rehab programs. You will learn new coping skills to live a long, sober life.
- Bethel Colony of Mercy – Lenoir, NC: This program is specific to men. They’re located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a faith-based program. You will be in this program for over 65 days and will focus on your relationship with God as a treatment for your substance abuse, study the Bible, and engage in therapeutic approaches to transitioning into a substance-free lifestyle.
- Christian Recovery Houses – Wilmington, NC: This a nonprofit, faith-based residential halfway house for men and women. This program is designed to help you get clean and sober as well as establish a relationship with Christ. They stress an importance on your relationship with Christ as the center of your recovery. They provide an array of services such as Bible study, prayer, worship, and Christ-centered 12 Step meetings.
- Freedom Detox – Gastonia, NC: This addiction treatment center provides medically monitored detox programming with 24/7 support and monitoring. You will have the chance to engage in individual and group therapy as well as medication services. They have additional services for veterans who have experienced military trauma. They also treat individuals with mental health issues alongside addiction.
North Carolina Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics
In 2021, 10.5% of adults in North Carolina said they used drugs (excluding cannabis) for non-medical reasons.1 Some other North Carolina substance use stats include:1
Illicit drugs were the most used category, followed by prescription medications.
American Indian/Native Alaskan residents had the highest rate of drug use, followed by Asian, Black, Hispanic, and white residents.
People earning less than $25,000 per year had higher rates of drug use than those in high-income brackets.
College graduates reported higher rates of drug use than those with only some college or high school education.
Nearly 23% of adults between the ages of 18 and 44 engaged in excessive drinking.
Nearly 20% of men engaged in excessive drinking, compared to 12.4% of women.
People making at least $75,000 annually exhibit the most excessive drinking behaviors.
College graduates had the highest rates of excessive drinking (16.4%) compared to high school graduates, some college, or those who did not graduate high school.
Drug Laws in North Carolina
- Marijuana Laws in North Carolina: North Carolina has decriminalized marijuana possession for the most part. However, it does carry a maximum of a $200 fine for possessing less than one-half ounce. The charge will not become a felony unless you are found in possession of at least 1.5 ounces. In 2015, the Hope for Haley and Friends bill was passed that allows individuals with intractable epilepsy to use cannabidiol, or CBD oil, to treat seizures.
- North Carolina- DWI Law: The court system handles your legal issues, and the North Carolina DMV handles your driver’s license suspension and requirements concerning alcohol and drug intoxication. A first or second offense is a misdemeanor charge if you’re at least 21 years old, and did not cause an accident. A third and subsequent DWI is a felony charge. Three DWI convictions within seven years will earn you the label of a habitual offender. A judge may require forfeiture of your vehicle.
- Drug Testing Laws: North Carolina has state specific requirements when it comes to employers doing a drug test. For example, a North Carolina employee who is fired on the basis of an onsite drug screen rather than a test performed by an approved laboratory might have a valid legal claim to contest their dismissal. If you need a re-test, you can request one, but you will pay for the expenses.
- Death by Distribution in North Carolina: This law is set in place for dealers who sell certain controlled substances, and their buyer dies. The sellers are held responsible for the death. You can be charged with a Class B felony charge. It’s considered an aggravated death. A controlled substance includes any opium, opiate, or opioid; any synthetic or natural salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of opium, opiate, or opioid; cocaine.
Resources
- Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard | NCDHHS. (n.d.). Www.ncdhhs.gov.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- American Health Rankings. (2022). Non-Medical Drug Use North Carolina.
- American Health Rankings. (2022.) Excessive Drinking in North Carolina.
- NC Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Centers.
- UNC Police. (n.d.). Federal, State and Local Regulations.
- North Carolina Judicial Branch. (n.d.). Recovery Courts.
- TROSA: https://trosainc.org/finding-free-programs/
- Rehabs.org: https://rehabs.org/centers/north-carolina/
- FindLaw: https://www.findlaw.com/state/north-carolina-law.html
- NOLO: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/drug-testing-laws-north-carolina.html
- Cherokee Hospital: https://cherokeehospital.org/locations/the-kanvwotiyi-residential-treatment-center/
