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?
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.
How to Find Free Drug Rehab Centers in North Carolina
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.
Does Insurance Cover Rehab Center Costs?
If you have health insurance, your policy will pay for some treatment. All insurance must cover some care, whether it’s private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or military insurance. Coverage varies among providers and plans, so you should check the specifics of your insurance.
Some insurance policies will pay for care at state facilities. Check with your insurer to see how much it will cover. Not all facilities and detox centers in North Carolina accept every type of insurance, so you will need to be sure the North Carolina drug rehab you choose works with your policy.
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.
Does North Carolina Have Strict Alcohol and Drug Laws?
Drug Laws: North Carolina has strict drug laws, with a set of minimum sentences for trafficking offenses.4 Selling drugs or drug paraphernalia to minors carries additional penalties.
Court-Ordered Rehab: North Carolina does allow judges to order rehab instead of jail time. The state assists people in court-ordered recovery through “Recovery Courts.”5
Good Samaritan Law: There is a limited immunity provision for “good Samaritans” who call for medical assistance for someone experiencing an overdose. Callers cannot be charged with any misdemeanor possession violation or a felony possession violation if they have less than one gram of cocaine or heroin.
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.
