Top 30 Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers in Durham, NC & Free Treatment Resources

The opioid epidemic has affected people, families, and communities all over the United States. In North Carolina, overdose deaths involving opioids have doubled in the past ten years. From 2000 to 2020, more than 28,000 people in the Tar Heel State died from drug overdoses. From 2020 to 2021, 185 people died from overdoses in Durham.¹ If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, know that help is within reach. There are nearly 40 accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in Durham that can put you on the path to recovery.²

Like many densely populated United States cities, Durham has faced growing substance use issues within the community for many years. Many residents of both the city and Durham County as a whole live with addiction, as evidenced by the following drug and alcohol use statistics:^{1, 2, 3}

In 2017, 17% of Durham County adults engaged in excessive drinking, and 21% of county high school students reported drinking alcohol at least once in a 30-day period.

In 2020, 82 Durham County residents died of a drug overdose.

In 2020, 1,126 Durham County residents engaged in an addiction treatment program, and roughly 1,400 people received medication for opioid use disorder.

In the first quarter of 2021, there were 96 opioid-related emergency department visits in Durham County. In 2022, the county saw 99 such visits within the same time period.

If you or someone you love is among the thousands of Durham County residents with drug or alcohol addiction, quality treatment is readily available, regardless of your financial situation.

The cost to enroll in a drug or alcohol rehab in Durham varies based on many factors, such as the type of treatment facility you select (luxury vs. standard) and whether you have health insurance. Other variables that impact the cost include:

Whether you need inpatient or outpatient (inpatient is generally more expensive)

Features and amenities (luxury or standard facility)

The length of time you spend in care (most programs last 30 to 90 days)

The type of health insurance a rehab facility accepts

Your extent of coverage for addiction treatment services

Whether the treatment center receives non-profit or government funding (facilities that get subsidies often provide reduced-cost services)

Whether you require specialized services, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or dual-diagnosis care

If you’re concerned about your ability to pay for addiction treatment, know that you have many options. No matter your income level, you can find a Durham program that meets your needs and budget.

If you lack insurance and cannot pay for care out of pocket, you may qualify for subsidized care at state-funded facilities and detox centers in Durham. These facilities receive government funding distributed by the State of North Carolina, which allows them to provide low-cost or free care for low-income persons.

Although state-funded programs are a public health service and anyone can access them, not everyone is eligible for reduced-cost treatment. To qualify, you must demonstrate considerable financial need and show proof of legal North Carolina and U.S. residency. You’ll likely also need to prove that you are uninsured or underinsured.

You can find free drug or alcohol rehab centers in Durham by contacting the Durham County Department of Social Services.

Yes, your health insurance should provide partial or full coverage for alcohol or drug rehab in Durham. The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to provide a basic level of coverage for both addiction and mental health services. It also requires insurers to cover these services even if you signed up for your plan with a pre-existing addiction or mental health condition.⁴

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act also stipulate that your provider cannot place annual or lifetime limits on behavioral health coverage. The Act further stipulates that your provider cannot charge you a higher premium for increased use of your addiction treatment or mental health benefits.⁵

Private Insurance

If you have insurance through a private company, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Ambetter, or UnitedHealthcare, it should cover drug and alcohol rehab in Durham. However, your coverage can vary from facility to facility based on the type of healthcare plan you have and whether your provider is in-network.

Some plans partially cover inpatient and outpatient services, while others pay for the entire cost of care. If you use your insurance, be aware that you may need to pay a deductible out of pocket before your plan will cover costs. Your plan may also have a copay that you’ll need to cover out of pocket.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a type of public health insurance funded by the federal government and the government of each state. You may be eligible for North Carolina Medicaid if you’re a legal resident of the state and you:⁶

• Have a low or very low income
• Are pregnant
• Have dependents under the age of 18
• Are 65 years of age or older
• Have a qualifying disability
• Are blind

Medicaid is the largest payer in the United States for behavioral health services, which includes inpatient and outpatient addiction and mental health treatment. Other covered services include medication-assisted treatment, dual-diagnosis care, home health, medication management, peer support services, and more.⁷

If you’re a Medicaid beneficiary, your coverage depends on the type of plan you have and the federal authority under which your benefits are provided. Furthermore, not all Durham alcohol rehab facilities accept Medicaid as a payment option.

Medicare

Medicare is another type of public insurance provided by the federal government. If you’re over the age of 65 or are a younger person with a qualifying disability, you may be eligible for this type of health insurance. Like Medicaid, Medicare covers various types of addiction and mental health care, but only if they’re considered medically necessary. Screenings, assessments, inpatient and outpatient, medications, telehealth programs, and several other services are typically covered.⁸

If you have Medicare, your extent of coverage will depend on the type of plan you have (Original Medicare, Part C, and/or Part D). You’ll also need to enroll in a Medicare-approved facility for your insurance to pay for treatment. Be aware that your plan may require you to pay a deductible, co-insurance, and/or copay out of pocket before coverage kicks in.

If you have private or public health insurance, it should provide, at the very least, partial coverage for addiction treatment. If you don’t know your policy’s extent of coverage, call the number on the back of your insurance card. You can speak directly with a benefits representative who can break down the details of your plan. You can also request a list of the Durham detox centers and drug rehabs that accept your insurance.

If you don’t have private health insurance and do not qualify for a government-sponsored plan, paying for addiction treatment out of pocket may be difficult. Still, even if you’re experiencing a tough financial situation, you have several options for making care more affordable.

Find a Program That Offers Payment Plans: If you can pay for addiction treatment out of pocket but can’t afford a substantial lump sum upfront, some Durham drug rehabs offer payment plans. These facilities can finance the cost of your program and split your payments up into manageable monthly installments.

Apply for a Scholarship: Some Durham facilities offer scholarships that partially or fully cover the cost of addiction treatment. These scholarships are reserved for people who are in financial distress and would not be able to enroll in care without payment assistance.

Sliding-Scale Program: Many Durham drug and alcohol rehabs recognize that your income and basic living expenses directly impact your ability to pay for services. To make care more accessible, these facilities offer a flexible, sliding scale fee system, which calculates your out-of-pocket costs based on your income.

Before you begin alcohol or drug addiction treatment, you’ll undergo a comprehensive needs assessment with a physician or addiction expert. Your provider will then use the information from your assessment to determine whether inpatient or outpatient rehab is the best fit for your needs.

Medical Detox

When you stop using substances and your body begins to detoxify itself, you may experience highly uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes, these symptoms can be dangerous, especially if you have a history of benzodiazepine, alcohol, opioid, or barbiturate use.

Medical detox programs allow you to withdraw from substances in the safest possible setting. Addiction and medical experts provide 24/7 supervision and support to keep you comfortable and stable as your body rids itself of alcohol and/or drugs. You may receive medications and IV fluids, depending on your needs, which will allow you to achieve a substance-free and medically stable state.

Inpatient

Inpatient programs provide the most intensive, structured, and supervised level of care for addiction treatment. These programs take place in a residential facility, and you must live on-site for the length of your program. Expect your stay to range from 30 to 90 days, depending on your needs. Your team may recommend a longer stay if they feel you can benefit from more time in highly structured, supervised care.

When you complete your residential program, you may move on to a step-down program, depending on your needs. In step-down treatment, you’ll continue building on the skills you learned in inpatient but in a more flexible, outpatient setting.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), also known as day treatment, are the most time-intensive and structured form of outpatient addiction rehab. In a PHP, you’ll attend sessions five to seven days per week with both addiction and medical professionals. Depending on your needs, you may receive medications as well as several hours of evidence-based therapy during each session.

Most PHPs provide a combination of individual and group therapy, as well as substance use and relapse prevention education. You can live at home while in care, but because these programs require a substantial time commitment, work or school may not be feasible.

Intensive Outpatient Programs

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are more flexible than PHPs, typically providing three to five weekly sessions. Like PHPs, IOPs provide several hours of evidence-based addiction therapy per week in both individual and group settings. These programs typically also provide relapse prevention education and planning, as well as substance use education.

While enrolled in an IOP, you can live at home or in transitional housing, so you may be able to work, go to school, or care for loved ones while engaging in care. Many programs offer evening or daytime sessions to accommodate various scheduling needs.

Standard Outpatient

Standard outpatient rehab programs are the most flexible and least intensive form of addiction treatment. These programs typically provide alcohol, drug, and relapse prevention education and help participants focus on achieving behavioral changes that support long-term sobriety.

In a standard outpatient program, you’ll likely attend one or two sessions per week. Most programs provide five to 10 hours of weekly care, so you’ll have the opportunity to work or go to school.

Aftercare

Aftercare provides invaluable relapse prevention support that can help you stay strong in your recovery as you transition back to normal, daily life. Some of the more common aftercare options you may want to consider include:¹²

• Recovery support groups like SMART Recovery, NA, or AA
• Peer support groups
• Alumni programs provided by your facility
• Ongoing individual and/or group counseling
• Sober-living housing
• Step-down care in an outpatient program

Alcohol and drug rehabs in Durham that offer specialized, population-specific programs focus on catering to the unique needs of certain groups of people. Treatment is sensitive to the lived experiences and circumstances of each patient and can provide an invaluable source of support from peers with similar experiences.

Veteran

Veteran-specific programs are sensitive to the unique needs of retired military members with addiction. Because veterans can be particularly susceptible to co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, these programs often provide dual-diagnosis care.

LGBTQ+ 

Members of the LGBTQ+ community often face discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, stigmatization, and other difficult issues that non-LGBTQ+ persons may not understand. Many Durham alcohol rehabs recognize that LGBTQ+ persons have unique lived experiences that often impact substance use and/or mental health conditions.

Men-Only 

Because stoicism and self-sufficiency are common cultural expectations for men, male patients may feel that entering rehabilitation means they’re weak or have failed. Men-focused programs work to shift these negative views around addiction treatment, so patients can feel safe being vulnerable and expressing their needs.

Women-Only

Women-specific programs focus on addressing women’s unique lived experiences that often impact addiction and/or mental health disorders. These programs not only provide a community with supportive peers but also an environment where women can feel safe and understood in expressing their needs.

Teen

Teen programs provide targeted care for adolescents with substance use disorders. These programs are sensitive to the unique social challenges teens face, as well as the many developmental changes this demographic experiences.

You may want to travel to a drug or alcohol rehab in Durham if you don’t have access to the services you need where you currently live. Traveling may also be in your best interest if leaving your local area would eliminate triggers and distractions that could complicate your recovery.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you are considering traveling:

• You prefer the climate of Durham or need a change of scenery
• You want to attend a particular facility or detox center
• You have family or friends who live there and can provide support
• Your insurance covers treatment in Durham

1. Opioid, Substance Use, And Addiction Services | Durham County – NC – Public Health. (n.d.). Www.dcopublichealth.org. 
2. FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov. 
3. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2022). Durham County Opioid Overdose Emergency Department Visits.
4. Durham County Department of Public Health. (2021, March). Durham County Community Health Assessment 2020.
5. North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services. (2022). Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard.
6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.) What Does the Affordable Care Act Mean for Behavioral Health?.
7. Frank, R. G., Beronio, K., & Glied, S. A. (2014). Behavioral Health Parity and the Affordable Care Act. Journal of Social Work in Disability & Rehabilitation, 13(1-2), 31-43.
8. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). North Carolina Medicaid Program.
9. Medicaid and CHIP Access Commission. (n.d.). Behavioral health benefits.
10. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2016). Medicare Coverage of Substance Abuse Services.
11. North Carolina Legislature. (2021, May 5). House Bill 852.
12. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2017, August). FAQ on Naloxone Standing Order in North Carolina.
13. North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. (2010). The Minimum Standards for the North Carolina Drug Treatment Courts.
14. McKay J. R. (2009). Continuing Care Research: What We Have Learned and Where We Are Going. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 36(2), 131–145.