Pennsylvania Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics
In 2019, roughly 316,000 people in Pennsylvania were known to have a drug use disorder.1

Approximately every 2 hours, someone in the state of Pennsylvania dies from a drug overdose.1

Chronic alcohol consumption among Pennsylvania adults is at its highest rate since 2011.2

On a single day in March 2019, 66,969 people in the state were enrolled in a treatment program.

In 2019, a total of 23,351 residents received methadone in an outpatient treatment program.
Cost of Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Pennsylvania
When determining the cost of an alcohol or drug rehab in Pennsylvania, there are several factors to consider. First, you need to think about the facility. Is it state-run or private? A state-run facility often costs less than a private one, but private treatment centers may address your needs better.
Costs associated with drug or alcohol rehab in Pennsylvania vary between centers and depend on factors such as:
- Income level for sliding scales
- Type of rehab (inpatient vs. outpatient)
- Location (high vs. low cost of living areas)
- Features and amenities (luxury vs. standard)
- Accepted insurance plans
- Duration of treatment
Inpatient or residential alcohol rehab in Pennsylvania generally costs more than outpatient care due to the costs of room and board. Additionally, luxury or executive Pennsylvania rehabs have extra costs to provide upscale amenities and features.
Additionally, health insurance can make treatment affordable. Many are surprised to learn their private health insurance, Medicaid, or Tricare significantly reduce or cover their rehab. To determine the cost of alcohol or drug rehab in Pennsylvania, it is vital you contact your health insurance company first. They will inform you what they cover in the area and how to maximize your benefits. Potentially, a high-cost rehab facility that accepts your insurance may be more affordable than a low-cost rehab due to your coverage.
Care costs in Pennsylvania should not bar you from treatment. Many free and low-cost rehab facilities across the state; others operate on sliding-scale fee schedules based on your income. Furthermore, many centers for rehab in Pennsylvania offer payment plans. This enables you to pay for your care in monthly payments.
Financing Drug or Alcohol Rehab in Pennsylvania
What if you don’t have insurance, the community-funded options are full, or you don’t qualify for funding options? Well, there are other ways to pay for alcohol or drug rehab in Pennsylvania.
Choose a Program that Offers Payment Plans: When researching a drug or alcohol rehab in Pennsylvania, ask about payment plans. These let you finance the cost of your treatment through monthly payments instead of paying for all the costs upfront. Do not be afraid to ask. Many facilities are flexible and want to work with you so you can start treatment.
Apply for a Rehab Scholarship: Though it does take a little research to find one, more scholarship programs are offered to help people go to rehab. The 10,000 Beds Scholarship Program provides scholarships to cover the cost of treatment at participating centers. Their application process is easy and can be found on their website.13 SAMHSA also has several grants available which you may qualify for.14, 15
Find a Sliding Scale Rehab Program: A sliding-scale fee payment method is a common option at drug and alcohol rehab in Pennsylvania. These payment plans are based on your ability to pay and your current income.
You must meet some criteria to qualify for this program. Our treatment support specialists at
800-926-9037
(Who Answers?)
can help you identify a rehab facility that offers a sliding-scale option.
7 Ways to Pay for Addiction Treatment in Pennsylvania
Private Insurance
Insurance providers must cover substance abuse and mental health treatment services to some extent. However, specific coverage varies by plan, so Pennsylvania residents must contact their providers to confirm how much and which treatments are covered by their plan.
Pennsylvania Medicaid
Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program, Medical Assistance (MA), provides health insurance to low-income residents. It covers treatment services like inpatient drug rehab and outpatient substance abuse treatment. To qualify, residents typically are required to provide proof of income. Additionally, to use MA to pay for rehab, the facility must accept MA as a method of payment.
Pennsylvania Medicare
Pennsylvania Medicare is a federal program providing healthcare coverage to residents over the age of 65 as well as those with certain health conditions or disabilities. Pennsylvanians can use Medicare to cover the cost of drug addiction treatment services, including rehab. However, not all rehabs accept Medicare insurance.
TRICARE in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania TRICARE (East region) is a government program that provides health insurance coverage for military personnel, veterans, and their families. TRICARE coverage includes addiction treatment services; however, specific coverage varies by plan.
Sliding Scale Rehabs
Sliding scale rehabs charge only what a resident can reasonably afford to pay, based on their income. To qualify for a sliding scale rehab in Pennsylvania, residents must provide proof of income.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
Drug rehabs funded by the Indian Health Service (IHS) provide free addiction treatment to Alaskan Natives and Native Americans.
Levels of Care for Rehabs in Pennsylvania
Several levels of substance abuse care are available to effectively meet each Pennsylvanian’s recovery needs.
Alcohol and Drug Detoxification
Detox is the process of safely removing drugs or alcohol from your system. This occurs in a supervised setting, such as a hospital or inpatient rehab, so professionals can comfortably manage your withdrawal symptoms.
Inpatient Care
Residential or inpatient treatment involves living at a rehab facility under 24/7 supervision and care. Treatment services usually include individual and group therapy, nutritional counseling, experiential therapies, and medication.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)
PHPs allow you to live at home while receiving addiction treatment at a hospital. Treatment methods may be similar to inpatient rehab, but you can return home during non-treatment hours.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
A step down from a PHP, IOPs allow you to attend a few hours of counseling each week, spread out over several days. You can spend the rest of your time at home, working, or fulfilling other obligations.
Standard Outpatient
As the least intensive treatment option, standard outpatient care involves just one to two hours of treatment per week. Because it has the least oversight and supervision, this level of treatment is typically appropriate for highly motivated people who have a strong support system.
Relapse Prevention
Relapse Prevention, also known as aftercare, begins when you complete a Pennsylvania rehab program. It includes ongoing support and encouragement through 12-step groups, non-12-step groups like SMART Recovery, ongoing therapy, sober living homes, and more. Aftercare is an important part of relapse prevention.
Types of Therapy Used in Alcohol or Drug Rehab
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is designed to modify harmful behaviors. CBT is considered one of the most effective therapy options for young adults with anxiety and mood disorders. It is also effective for those with a substance use disorder, particularly those with a co-occurring mental health condition.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is designed to reduce self-harming behaviors and drug use. It is one of just a few treatments that has been shown to be effective for people diagnosed with a personality disorder.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) focuses on improving your motivation to change. A therapist trained in MET can help the patients look at their behaviors more objectively and empower them to start the recovery process.
Contingency Management
Contingency management (CM) promotes positive behavioral changes by using reinforcement, such as a gift card, when you meet your treatment goals. It is most often used in treatment programs that last at least 90 days. The guiding principle of CM is that rewards encourage repeated behaviors.
Group Therapy
Group therapy can be used in inpatient and outpatient settings. The benefits include receiving support and motivation from peers, learning healthy coping skills, boosting structure and routine, building a sense of self-worth and optimism, and developing relationships that can be used outside of sessions for support and encouragement.
Family Therapy
Addiction can significantly affect families. Family therapy is designed to improve the familial relationship and support the person in recovery. These services can help spouses, partners, caregivers, children, siblings, and even friends. There is evidence that people who receive support from their families are more likely to stay in treatment and stop misusing substances.12
Should You Travel for Drug Rehab in Pennsylvania?
Depending on your situation, it may make sense to travel to Pennsylvania for a drug or alcohol rehab. If you are currently on your own but have family and friends in the state who could serve as a strong support system, moving could be beneficial to your recovery.
Pennsylvania is divided into five different regions: the Atlantic Coast Plain, the Piedmont or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the Ridge and Valley, the Allegheny Plateau, and the Lake Erie Plain.
Each region offers its own benefits.
- Atlantic Coast Plain: This area extends across the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania and borders the Delaware River. Philadelphia, the biggest city in the state, is here. For those interested in the Revolutionary War or other American history, this city may prove to be a motivating factor in seeking treatment.
- The Piedmont: Known for its rolling hills and ridges, the rich soil of the Piedmont attracted many farmers, including the people who are known as the Pennsylvania Dutch. This rural area features dozens of covered bridges.
- Ridge and Valley: Home to the state capital of Harrisburg, Ridge and Valley extends from the state’s south-central border toward New Jersey. It includes the Appalachian Mountains range.
- Allegheny Plateau: The largest region in Pennsylvania is the Allegheny Plateau, which makes up almost half of the north and west sections of the state. Marked by hills and low mountains, more than half of the high plateau is forest. Pittsburgh, the area’s major city, is where two rivers come together to form the Ohio River.
- Lake Erie Plain: This is the smallest region. It is located along Lake Erie in far northwest Pennsylvania and was once part of the lake.
Alcohol and Drug Laws in Pennsylvania
Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative: The Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative, or LETI, allows residents of participating Pennsylvania counties to contact local law enforcement, including probation and parole officers, for help in identifying a rehab facility without the threat of arrest or prosecution. This policy also allows law enforcement to connect individuals to treatment at their discretion. LETI also makes sure the person has transportation to the facility of choice.
Good Samaritan Law: Pennsylvania’s Good Samaritan law offers legal protection to those seeking medical attention or administering naloxone to someone experiencing a drug-related overdose. Its goal is to reduce the number of fatal overdoses by encouraging people to call for help if they experience or witness an overdose rather than avoiding police due to fear of arrest for drug-related crimes.
Naloxone Standing Order: Pennsylvania has passed laws making naloxone or Narcan available as a standing order. A standing order prescription allows pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a prescription. Naloxone reverses opioid overdoses by temporarily blocking their effect and helping the person to resume breathing.
Marijuana Laws: In Pennsylvania, marijuana is illegal for recreational use. Residents can apply for a medical marijuana card if they have a qualifying medical condition. Qualified patients can carry a 30-day supply of marijuana in a non-smokable form. Illegal possession of marijuana can lead to a 30-day imprisonment and a $500 fine. If the illegal possession is for more than 30 grams of marijuana, the penalties can include up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine.
If you need help in identifying an addiction or finding treatment for you or someone you know, call
800-926-9037
(Who Answers?)
. Our treatment support specialists are available 24/7 to help. You can also consult our rehab directory to find an alcohol or drug rehab in Pennsylvania or wherever you live.
Resources
- Pennsylvania Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention. (2022). Pennsylvania ODSMP – Drug Overdose Surveillance Interactive Data Report.
- Pennsylvania Department of Health. (2020). Alcohol Consumption, Pennsylvania Adults.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Behavioral Health Barometer: Pennsylvania, Volume 6: Indicators as measured through the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Publication No. SMA–20–Baro–19–PA. Rockville, MD.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Comorbidity: Substance Use and Other Mental Disorders. National Institutes of Health. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Mohamed, I. I., Ahmad, H. E. K., Hassaan, S. H., & Hassan, S. M. (2020). Assessment of anxiety and depression among substance use disorder patients: a case-control study. Middle East Current Psychiatry, 27(22).
- Vahratian, A., Blumberg, S. J., Terlizzi, E. P., & Schiller, J. S. (2021). Symptoms of Anxiety or Depressive Disorder and Use of Mental Health Care Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, August 2020–February 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 70(13), 490–494.
- Smith, J. P., & Book, S. W. (2008). Anxiety and Substance Use Disorders: A Review. The Psychiatric Times, 25(10), 19–23.
- National Center for PTSD. (2022). PTSD: National Center for PTSD, Substance Abuse. U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- National Center for PTSD. (2022). PTSD and Substance Abuse in Veterans. U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). An Introduction to Bipolar Disorder and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders. Advisory, 15(2).
- Parmar, A., & Kaloiya, G. (2018). Comorbidity of Personality Disorder among Substance Use Disorder Patients: A Narrative Review. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 40(6), 517–527.
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2020). Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Family Therapy. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 39. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US).
- Ten Thousand Beds, Inc. (2021). How to Apply for a Scholarship.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Fiscal Year 2022 Grant Announcements and Awards.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant.