(800) 662-HELP (4357)
Who Answers? 
4.3 (13,000) South Dakota Drug and Alcohol Statistics
When it comes to alcohol use, residents of South Dakota report a higher average than America as a whole. In 2020, South Dakota reported nearly 24% of adults engaged in binge or heavy drinking, compared to the national average of 17.6% of adults.1,2 Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men on one occasion during the past 30 days.3
Engaging in heavy drinking does not mean you have alcohol use disorder (AUD); however, AUD can be developed from heavy drinking or binge drinking. Statistics show that over 12% of South Dakota residents experienced AUD in 2017 while 17% had a substance use disorder (SUD).2
Cost of Drug and Alcohol Rehab in South Dakota
The cost of South Dakota alcohol rehabs and drug rehabs can vary greatly depending on many factors such as the type of treatment you receive. Types of treatment for drug and alcohol addiction include detox, residential inpatient, outpatient, and ongoing counseling therapies.4 Some other factors that contribute to costs are whether the rehab is state funded or a private facility. South Dakota offers free and low-cost rehabs as well as higher-end luxury rehabs.
Free Treatment Options in South Dakota
You may have free treatment options as well as rehabs that offer financial assistance to help with costs. When searching for “drug rehabs near me,” you will find that some of the South Dakota drug rehabs are state-funded, while others require private pay or insurance coverage. A rehab that is state-funded can offer free treatment since it receives money from the government to operate. To see a list of state-funded rehabs in your area, visit the government website, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and search the directory of South Dakota free rehabs.5
You may need to prove residency in South Dakota or provide income information to qualify for free treatment.
While state-funded programs often do not have the same amenities as private rehabs, they still offer quality treatment programs and are just as effective. State-funded rehabs offer evidence-based treatment and professional care for all patients.
Insurance
Most insurance policies will cover part or all the cost of rehab. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all state-funded insurance policies, including Medicaid and Medicare, are required to provide coverage for addiction treatment.6
To qualify for Medicaid, you must be part of an eligible group including low-income individuals, pregnant women, children, or those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI).7
To qualify for Medicare, you must be an American citizen over 65 years or have a qualifying disability.8
Private insurance policies are provided through employers or through the government health exchange website. Private insurance policies may not cover all the costs but instead will offer copays and coinsurance rates to help share costs with you. Talk to your insurance provider directly to find out details of your coverage.
Rehab Scholarships and Sliding Scales
If you do not have insurance and do not qualify for free treatment, you still have other options available. Many rehab centers offer programs to help you pay for treatment. Some places have scholarships available that cover part or all the cost of a program. These scholarships are paid for by private donors or public funds.
You can also ask the rehab staff about sliding scales. A sliding scale usually takes your income into consideration when determining the rate you must pay for treatment.
Should I Travel to South Dakota for Drug and Alcohol Treatment
How do you know if traveling to South Dakota for drug and alcohol treatment is the best choice for you? It can be difficult to conclude, but some things to help you consider are:
- Is treatment offered near where you live?
- Do you have people in South Dakota whom you want to be near during your treatment?
- Does your insurance cover rehab in South Dakota?
- Would you like to attend a rehab away from where you live for privacy reasons?
Regional Considerations for Drug and Alcohol Rehab in South Dakota
South Dakota is divided into four tourism regions: the Black Hills & Badlands region in the west, the South Dakota Missouri River region in the center, the Glacial Lakes & Prairies region in the northeast, and the Southeast region in the southeast.
Black Hills and Badlands
The western region of South Dakota offers beautiful landscapes of mountains. This area has many national parks, monuments, and caves to explore.
South Dakota Missouri River
This region provides more than 440 miles of waterways for prime water recreation, including boating, fishing, sailing, swimming, and kayaking.
Glacial Lakes and Prairies
This region is full of fresh glacial lakes and plenty of outdoor camping opportunities. It is also filled with historical museums and Native American culture.
Southeast
This region offers bustling cities, quiet country escapes, fine arts and culture, family attractions, and an abundance of outdoor adventures.
How Do I Choose a Drug or Alcohol Rehab?
When you search for “alcohol rehabs near me,” you may be overwhelmed by the options available in South Dakota. How do you decide as to which one is right for you? Some questions to ask include:9
- What type of care is best for you?
- Do you have specialized care needs, and does the rehab provide them?
- What does the success rate look like for previous patients?
- How does the rehab center respond to relapses?
- Is the location convenient for you?
- What amenities does the rehab offer?
- What are the program rules regarding visitors?
- What are the costs of the program and what financial assistance is available?
If you are unsure what your treatment needs are, you can take a substance misuse assessment. Many rehabs and doctors offer this free assessment to determine what level of care you need and if specialized care would be appropriate.
Specialized care is offered for those that need treatment tailored to a specific population such as the elderly, LGBTQ, or religious people.
What to Pack for Drug Rehab in South Dakota
Each rehab will have its own requirements and rules for packing items. Some of the typical items you will need include:
- Comfortable clothing including shoes
- Laundry supplies (if not provided by the rehab)
- Toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, and haircare (avoid anything with alcohol like mouthwash and perfume)
- Medications
- Identification info and insurance cards
- Money
- Items that will bring you comfort such as photos, blankets, or pillows
- A journal or notebook for reflecting
- Contact information of loved ones
- Envelopes and stamps to send letters to loved ones
Depending on your rehab center, you may be allowed to bring electronic devices like computers or phones. There may be a dress code for your rehab, so check their website or give them a call to verify what is allowed.
Treatment Settings Compared
Different treatment settings are available based on what level of care you need. Treatment settings include inpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and standard outpatient.
Inpatient Alcohol and Drug Rehab in South Dakota
Inpatient care provides around-the-clock care while you stay overnight at the facility. This is the highest level of care available, and inpatient stays range from weeks to months and sometimes even a year, depending on your situation.
The benefits of inpatient care include:10
- Daily structure and routines that help in recovery
- A safe, trigger-free environment
- Quick and easy access to the medical staff and medicine at any time of day or night
- A consistent support system built with others at the inpatient level
Inpatient treatment is typically recommended when your substance use is severe and if you do not have a good support system at home.
Outpatient Drug Rehab in South Dakota
Outpatient rehab includes various levels of care. Often, a person leaving inpatient treatment will step down to an outpatient program.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) look a lot like inpatient programs but without the overnight stay. You will still attend multiple treatment sessions per week.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) provide many of the same services as a PHP but on a less frequent basis.
A standard outpatient program often involves just one or two sessions a week compared to the higher number of treatment appointments in other outpatient programs.
There are some benefits to outpatient treatment over inpatient. One is that you get more flexibility in your daily schedule, and you get to return to the comfort of your own home at night. Costs are often lower for outpatient programs as well. You also get the chance to return to daily life in between treatment sessions, which allows you to put into practice what you are learning in rehab.
Outpatient is an appropriate treatment choice if your drug and alcohol addiction is not severe and if you have a good support system at home.
Not everyone starts with an inpatient program and then steps down to outpatient. You can be recommended for any level of care based on your assessment and what the professionals think you need.
What is a Typical Day Like at Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab?
Schedules will vary from place to place, but here is an example of what you can expect from an inpatient rehab program.
Breakfast will be served at a specific time in the morning. One of the goals of rehab is to help you establish routines, so the same schedule will be followed from day to day.
After breakfast, you may attend a 12-step meeting like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. These peer support groups provide a safe environment to hear other experiences and share your own.
Lunch will be provided by the rehab at a specific time. After lunch, you may attend an individual therapy session. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a technique commonly used to help you identify unhealthy patterns of thinking that lead to addictive behaviors. Once these thought patterns are identified, they can be changed over time.
After therapy, you may be given a few hours of free time. This can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the amenities offered at your facility. Art, exercise, outdoor activities, or even spa services may be available to access during free time.
Dinner will be served at the same time each evening and may be followed by a group therapy session. These sessions are led by a mental health professional.
You can also expect occasional appointments with a doctor or psychiatrist to discuss any adjustments to medications.
How Long Does Rehab Last?
How long you stay in rehab is dependent on many factors. Research shows that positive outcomes are dependent on staying in treatment longer and that participation for less than 90 days has limited effectiveness.11
Even though the length of treatment varies widely, some of the typical time frames for inpatient treatment are around 30-90 days. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) can range from 8-12 weeks long. Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are typically 2-4 weeks long. Standard outpatient treatment can last anywhere from a few weeks to several years but usually involves just one therapy session a week.
Your treatment team will recommend the appropriate length of treatment that is specific to your needs. Following recommendations gives you the best chance for a positive outcome.
What Happens After Rehab?
Leaving rehab does not mean your recovery journey is complete. Your team will work with you to create an aftercare plan that guides you through steps to take care of yourself and continue recovery.
Many rehab programs include a relapse prevention plan as well. If you experience a relapse, it does not mean you have failed at recovery. In fact, relapse is a normal part of drug and alcohol addiction. Addiction is considered a chronic condition and relapse rates for addiction are like those of other chronic medical conditions.12
Relapse is not something that happens overnight. It is a process that often unfolds over time in three stages:13
- Emotional relapse: When you begin to ignore or bottle your feelings and do not express needs to those around you
- Mental relapse: When you begin thinking about using the substance again, craving it, and minimizing the negative effects it had on you previously
- Physical relapse: When you start using the substance again
Many drug and alcohol rehabs in South Dakota will educate you on the early signs of relapse and how to cope with them as part of the preparation to leave the program.
Other activities that make up an aftercare plan include attending Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings, staying in sober living, and continuing ongoing therapy.
Alcohol and Drug Laws in South Dakota
The Good Samaritan Law
The Good Samaritan statute provides immunity from civil damages for individuals who render emergency care, in good faith, for those in need. This includes helping someone from a drug or alcohol overdose.
Naloxone Access
According to South Dakota law, a prescriber may prescribe naloxone, directly or by standing order, to a person at risk of overdose or a family member, friend, or another person able to help someone experiencing an overdose.
Seeking treatment is important and shouldn’t be hindered by barriers such as the cost of treatment or fear of losing your job. Many programs can help you afford treatment, and laws exist to protect your job while you receive the care you need.
If you or someone you know needs help with drug or alcohol addiction, please call (800) 662-HELP (4357) to speak to a treatment specialist about what treatment is right for you.
Resources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). South Dakota State-Specific Tables.
- 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 Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Drinking Levels Defined | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (nih.gov). National Institutes of Health.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Types of Treatment Programs.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Single State Agency Directory.
- Healthcare.gov. (n.d.). Mental health and substance abuse health coverage options.
- Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Eligibility Medicaid.
- Mentalhealth.gov. (n.d.). Health Insurance and Mental Health Services.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help. National Institutes of Health.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022, March 22). Treatment and Recovery. National Institutes of Health.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). How long does drug addiction treatment usually last?. National Institutes of Health.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022, March 22). Treatment and Recovery. National Institutes of Health.
- Melemis, S. M. (2015, September 3). Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery. The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 88(3), 325-332.