Expert Insights
There are 380 Ohio residents in need of treatment for every one provider, according to the Ohio Council of Behavioral Health. Obviously, this doesn’t meet current needs, and it definitely won’t meet future needs. The state must beef up its behavioral health workforce. But there are so many barriers, this is nearly impossible. The first is excessive educational requirements. I have a bachelor’s degree in social work, but I need a master’s to be licensed in Ohio. This limits the earning potential for behavioral health professionals. Ohio needs to update policies to establish better career pathways and competitive compensation to draw workers to this field.
~ Kerry Nenn
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in Ohio?
Ohio is ranked 25th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $56,688 (without insurance).
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $139,757
- Long-term inpatient drug rehab in Ohio costs an average of $50,024
- Outpatient addiction treatment in Ohio costs an average of $8,312
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,385
The exact cost of drug or alcohol rehab in Ohio varies widely and depends on several factors:
- Inpatient vs. outpatient
- Where the facility or detox center is located
- Insurance plans accepted
- Amenities and features (luxury vs. standard)
- Length of stay
How to Pay for Drug Rehab in Ohio
As of 2024, there were over 680 drug rehab facilities across the state of Ohio. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those treatment facilities, the following numbers reflect how many accept their respective payment methods:
582 accept self-payment or cash
418 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
577 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
303 accept state funded insurance coverage
484 accept private health insurance
305 offer free or low-cost treatment
5 offer free treatment for all clients
27 accept tribal funding
If you do not qualify for a free program or do not have medical insurance, there are other available options, such as payment plans, scholarships, and sliding-scale fees. Do not hesitate to call treatment centers and ask about payment options or financial assistance. Many facilities will work with you to help you get the help you need at an affordable cost.
Payment Plans: Addiction treatment centers may offer the ability to make monthly payments. Rather than paying a lump sum upfront, many programs let you make regular payments during or aftercare.
Scholarships: Many facilities provide scholarships to those in need of help. Some scholarships cover the entire cost, while others may cover only a portion.
Free and Sliding-Scale Options: Some programs offer sliding-scale payment options for those in need. Your treatment cost is based on your ability to pay.
Employee-Assistance Programs: Many employers provide assistance programs for employees (or their dependents) that can help pay for drug rehab in Ohio.
Are There Low-Cost and Free Drug Rehab Centers in Ohio?
For individuals who need financial assistance for alcohol or drug rehab in Ohio, state-funded or government-funded programs may be affordable. State-funded programs offer addiction treatment services to qualifying individuals at low costs or even free of charge.
Although state-funded facilities may not offer the same types of amenities available at private ones, that does not mean they do not provide effective care. State-funded programs often have long waiting lists, but many can work with patients to help them receive the help they need as quickly as possible. To qualify, you may need to show proof of state residence, proof of income, and personal information related to your drug or alcohol addiction.
To learn more about free drug rehabs in Ohio, view the SAMHSA directory of Single State Agencies (SSA) for Substance Abuse Services.
Does Insurance Cover Rehab Center Costs?
If you have medical insurance – whether that’s private insurance through your employer, Medicare, or Medicaid – you may be able to use it to reduce the cost of care significantly. Insurance is one of the most common payment methods for addiction treatment.
Many plans pay for at least a portion of care; some cover it entirely. The amount covered will depend upon the specifics of your plan. Verify with your insurance provider before entering any program to see if the provider accepts your insurance and what it covers.
If you are not sure what questions to ask, treatment centers will often work with you to contact your insurance company and explore what is covered under your plan.
If you have insurance questions, you can also get help today at
800-681-1058
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Who Answers?)
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Does Ohio Have a Drug and Alcohol Problem?
In 2020, 17.7% of adults in Ohio engaged in binge drinking or heavy drinking (national average is 17.6%).1
In 2017, roughly 6% of Ohio residents aged 12 and older experienced alcohol use disorder (AUD).2
Ohio ranked the fifth-highest state for overdose deaths in 2020, at 35.9 deaths per 100,000 people.3
Fentanyl was involved in 76% of all overdose deaths in Ohio, usually in combination with other drugs.4
Important Drug Laws in Ohio
Addiction Discrimination Laws: Employees are able to request time off work to attend addiction treatment, and employers are required to provide reasonable accommodation to them, as long as the employee’s absence won’t cause hardship for the company.
Naloxone Access Law: Anyone can purchase naloxone at a pharmacy without a prescription.
Good Samaritan Overdose Law: Much like other states, this law provides protection from drug-related prosecution for those who call 911 when someone is overdosing. Unlike other states, the person must seek screening and referral for addiction treatment within 30 days of calling 911. They also won’t get immunity if they’ve already sought immunity twice under this law.
Resources
- Ohio Population 2020 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs). (n.d.). Worldpopulationreview.com.
- Drug Overdose. (2021). Ohio.gov.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- America’s Health Rankings. (2021). Trend: Excessive Drinking, Ohio, United States. Analysis of CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. United Health Foundation.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2017). 2016-2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health National Maps of Prevalence Estimates, by State.
- National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. (2020). Drug Abuse Statistics.
- Ohio Department of Health. (2019). Violence & Injury Prevention Section: Drug Overdose.
- Pettinati, H. M., & Dundon, W. D. (2011). Comorbid depression and alcohol dependence. Psychiatric Times, 28(6).
- Harvard Medical School. (2007). National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). Data Table 1: Lifetime prevalence DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI disorders by sex and cohort.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2008). Comorbidity: Addiction and Other Mental Illnesses.
- Gielen, N., Havermans, R. C., Tekelenburg, M., & Jansen, A. (2012). Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among patients with substance use disorder: it is higher than clinicians think it is. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 3, 10.3402/ejpt, v3i0, 17734.
- Walker, M. S., Kaimal, G., Gonzaga, A., Myers-Coffman, K. A., & DeGraba, T. J. (2017). Active-duty military service members’ visual representations of PTSD and TBI in masks. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 12(1), 1267317.
- Ostacher, M. J., & Sachs, G. S. (2006). Update on bipolar disorder and substance abuse: recent findings and treatment strategies. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 67(9).
- Goretti, S., Sanchéz, M. D. C. S., Borja, P. L., Rivera, G. B., & Lara, M. R. (2017). The relationship between personality disorders and substance abuse disorders. European Psychiatry, 41(S473-S474).
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2013). Family Therapy Can Help.
- U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2016). Chapter 6: Health Care Systems and Substance Use Disorders. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). Office of the Surgeon General (US). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.
- Gray, C., & Argaez, C. (2019). Residential Treatment for Substance Use Disorder: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health.
