Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics in Asheville, NC
The following statistics reveal substance abuse and overdose rates in Asheville:2,3,4,5
Buncombe County saw a 5% decrease in overdose deaths in 2020.
In 2018, there were 265 opioid overdose ED visits in Buncombe County.
Overdose emergency department visits decreased by 7% in 2021.
Financing Drug and Alcohol Rehab in North Carolina
If you are worried that you won’t be able to afford drug and alcohol rehab, check out these strategies for financing addiction treatment.
Private Insurance
If you have private health insurance through work or purchased from the Healthcare Marketplace, you can use it to cover the cost of drug and alcohol rehab, either partially or fully, depending on the treatment program you choose.
North Carolina Medicaid
North Carolina Medicaid is a government program providing health insurance coverage for low-income families and individuals. If you have Medicaid, you can use it to cover substance abuse treatment services, although you’ll want to make sure to find a rehab that accepts this form of payment.
Medicare
If you have North Carolina Medicare, you can use it to pay for the cost of drug and alcohol treatment services; however, you’ll want to make sure to find a facility that accepts Medicare.
TRICARE in North Carolina
North Carolina is in the East Region for TRICARE and provides coverage for drug and alcohol addiction treatment and rehab for military personnel, retirees, and their families.
Sliding Scale Rehabs
If you need financial assistance, you can seek out a sliding scale rehab, which charges a reduced price based on your income.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
The Indian Health Service funds various alcohol and drug treatment centers that provide free care to Indigenous people with substance use disorders.
Resources
- Patel, A. (2022, May 31). Polysubstance use rising in the mountains, particularly involving methamphetamine. WLOS. https://wlos.com/news/local/polysubstance-use-methamphetamine-asheville-buncombe-henderson-haywood-counties-wnc-western-north-carolina
- James, A. (2021, November 18). Amid 28.5% increase in overdose deaths in U.S., Buncombe County reports 5% decrease. WLOS. https://wlos.com/news/local/amid-285-increase-in-overdose-deaths-in-us-buncombe-county-reports-5-decrease
- Staff, S. N. (2022, January 25). “Poison”: Mountain county reports record number of fentanyl trafficking cases. Spectrum News 1 Charlotte. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2022/01/25/buncombe-co–reports-record-number-of-drug-trafficking-cases
- Opioid addiction symptoms & treatment – Buncombe County. (n.d.). Asheville, NC. Retrieved September 22, 2022, from https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/hhs/initiatives/closer.aspx
- Jones, A. (2022, April 18). Buncombe 2020 overdose death rate among NC’s highest. An incoming $16M is supposed to help. Asheville Citizen Times. https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2022/04/18/buncombe-county-nc-2020-overdose-deaths-highest-percentile/7330251001/