Top 33 Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers in Wisconsin & Free Treatment Resources

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, alcohol and substance use-related problems are among the most significant public health issues in the state today.¹ As of 2020, alcohol use was attributed to at least 53 deaths per 100,000 residents, whereas opioids, including heroin, were attributed to 14.8 deaths, cocaine 3.9 deaths, and methamphetamines two deaths per 100,000 people.¹

Here’s an overview of how substance use has increased over the years:¹

Opioid-Related Deaths

Between 2018 and 2020, opioid-related deaths increased by 45.6%.

ER Visits

In the same period, emergency room visits for opioid-related overdoses increased by 23.6%.

Cocaine-Related Deaths

Between 2014 and 2020, there were approximately 1,595 cocaine-related deaths.

Cocaine Overdoses

In 2020 alone, there were 397 cocaine-related deaths in Wisconsin.

The cost of alcohol and drug rehab in Wisconsin depends on several different factors. Of course, the type of treatment program needed will arguably be the most prominent factor when it comes to pricing.

When it comes to figuring out a budget for potential Wisconsin drug rehabs, here are the things you’ll need to consider:

• The type of treatment you’ll need: Will you need residential treatment or outpatient care?
• The length of the treatment program: This can range anywhere from 30 to 90 days—longer if your substance use condition is severe.
• The amenities that are offered: Amenities range from necessities to luxury-style accommodations, which can alter costs significantly.
• The location: Costs may vary significantly from the mountains, beaches, or metropolitan areas.
• Insurance coverage: Whether or not you have insurance that covers drug and alcohol rehab in Wisconsin.
• Financial assistance: Whether or not you’re eligible for state funding, scholarships, or financing plans.

Keep in mind that cost doesn’t have to be a barrier to high-quality addiction treatment. There’s a drug and alcohol rehab in Wisconsin for all levels of income; you just have to do a little digging to find them.

Free rehabs in Wisconsin, also referred to as state-funded rehabs, are full-service facilities that offer free or low-cost treatment for substance use. These facilities receive their funding from both state and federal governments, and in some cases, local governments make contributions. Local governing bodies include grant money, insurance programs like Medicaid, corporate donations, and so on.

A free drug and alcohol rehab in Wisconsin will operate just like any other rehab in the state. In other words, they’ll offer medically assisted detox, interim care if the facility has no availability, various types of therapy, recovery housing, support groups, and even virtual care.

It’s important to note, however, that state-funded care is reserved for individuals who cannot otherwise afford drug or alcohol rehab. For example, you would need to provide the following information to be considered for state-funded care:

• Proof of citizenship and residency in the state
• Proof of income (or lack of employment)
• Your family size (if applicable)
• Proof of not having health insurance

As of 2008, The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) requires healthcare insurers in all states to provide plans that include both substance use disorder and mental health benefits to the extent that they do medical services.² This means if you already have insurance, you should receive some extent of coverage for most Wisconsin drug and alcohol rehabs and mental health services.

Let’s take at the different types of insurance and what they cover regarding alcohol and drug rehab in Wisconsin.

Private Insurance

Private health insurance plans should always cover at least the general costs of rehab as well as any mental health conditions you may need treatment for. If insured by providers such as United Healthcare, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Humana, Aetna, or even COBRA, then coverage for treatment should be a guarantee.

However, the amount of coverage you’re entitled to and how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket will vary based on the particular provider you have. It will also vary based on your specific insurance plan. So, you’ll need to check with your health insurance provider to find out the specifics of your coverage before entering into a treatment program.

You’ll also need to make sure that the facility you choose is 100% in-network with your insurance provider. Otherwise, you could end up having to pay the full price for treatment if you choose a facility that’s out of network.

Using Medicaid to Pay for Drug Rehab

Medicaid is both a state and federal insurance program that offers healthcare to low-income families. When it comes to alcohol and drug rehab in Wisconsin, Medicaid typically covers the basics of substance use disorder treatment. This includes intervention assistance, medical detox, inpatient and outpatient care, family counseling, cravings medication and maintenance, and various other mental health treatment needs.

Keep in mind that not all Wisconsin drug and alcohol rehabs accept Medicaid. This means you’ll need to verify with each treatment facility on your list before making official arrangements.

Using Medicare to Pay for Alcohol or Drug Rehab

Medicare is a federally-funded health insurance program designated for seniors over 65 and disabled individuals. Medicare isn’t free as it comes with a monthly premium. That premium is directly based on the individual’s yearly income.

As for substance use disorder treatment, Medicare is broken down into four “Parts,” ranging from Part A to Part D. Each Part determines the type of treatment benefits your plan falls under, which means you may not get the coverage you need or you may get everything need.

For example, you can get up to 60 days of inpatient treatment fully covered if your plan contains Part A. However, if your plan falls under Part B, you’ll only be entitled to 80% (or less) of outpatient care costs—which includes co-occurring disorders.

You’ll want to check which Part your plan contains as and which treatment programs accept Medicare as payment.

If you’re unsure as to whether or not your insurance plan will cover your treatment needs, the first thing you need to do is call the number on the back of your insurance card. By speaking directly with your insurance provider, you can find out everything you need to know about your coverage regarding rehab treatment and which facilities are in-network.

You can also reach out to our helpline at 800-405-1685 (Who Answers?) to find a drug and alcohol rehab in Wisconsin that works in-network with your insurance provider. Our team is available to guide you through every option, whether you have insurance or not.

Insurance won’t always be enough for rehab depending on what type of treatment you need and how much you have to pay out-of-pocket for associated treatment costs. Whether you need supplemental funding for drug rehab in Wisconsin or don’t have any insurance at all, you have payment options.

Apply for a Rehab Scholarship: Rehab scholarships and grants are typically provided by the treatment facility themselves, and this goes for both inpatient and outpatient centers. However, this type of funding is also often funded through the corporations that manage private facilities. Non-profit foundations also contribute to rehab scholarships, which means you have several resources to find funding.

Rehab scholarships and grants are offered on an individual basis. This means your financial situation and condition will be evaluated before a decision is made to determine how much you actually need this type of funding compared to others.

The most direct way to find rehab scholarships is by contacting the treatment facility. You can also find grant opportunities using the SAMSHA website.³

Find a Sliding Scale Rehab Program: Sliding scale rehab programs are much more common than most people realize. These programs offer individuals more flexibility regarding paying for treatment because the system is set up to allow you to pay on a “sliding scale.” The sliding scale either increases or decreases depending on factors such as your income, financial resources, the type of treatment you require, and your ability to make consistent and on-time payments.

To find out of a treatment facility offers a sliding scale payment program, you’ll need to contact them directly. You can also search through our directory or get in touch with one of our team members for more help.

Choose a Program that Offers Payment Plans: Many Wisconsin alcohol and drug rehabs also offer monthly payment plans to accommodate various financial situations. These payment plans work like a loan, where you can pay incrementally for your treatment rather than one lump sum initially or at the end of the program.

The only caveat is that you’ll likely have to pay interest or fees associated with the rehab facility’s particular payment plans. Each facility will have a different payment plan system, so you’ll need to check with them individually to see what your options are.

If you’ve never had to go through a Wisconsin drug and alcohol rehab before, then you likely don’t know what to expect from the various treatment programs. It’s important to understand that these rehab facilities are run by licensed and experienced professionals, which means you’ll receive quality treatment from people who care wherever you end up going.

However, each Wisconsin drug and alcohol rehab will differ as they operate under their own treatment philosophies and utilize different evidence-based treatments.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient Wisconsin alcohol rehabs and drug rehabs provide residential care for individuals for stays of 30, 60, or 90 days. In some cases, the stays are longer if the individual’s condition is severe or they’re not ready to move on. During your stay at an inpatient treatment facility, you’ll get a room with a bed to sleep in (sometimes with a roommate), meals throughout the day, and a treatment schedule to abide by. You may also get certain amenities, like a pool or rec room, depending on the facility.

Upon arrival, you can expect to have your personal belongings searched while you fill out the required intake forms. This is to ensure that you’re not trying to sneak in any illicit substances or contraband for everyone’s safety. Other than that, inpatient facilities are designed to make people feel comfortable and at ease, so you should feel right at home once you adjust to the environment.

Once you’ve been given a customized care plan, you’ll be required to attend scheduled therapies and classes regarding drug and alcohol education, relapse prevention, aftercare planning, and more.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) are intensive, structured outpatient programs. While they operate outside of a residency facility, they still abide by stringent schedules which involve several hours of attendance each day. This means you’ll be expected to commit time outside of your daily obligations to treatment at a designated facility. However, you’ll get to return home after.

PHPs typically serve as a transitional part of treatment, meaning that they’re often required after inpatient care. They also serve as the next best treatment solution for individuals who cannot take time away from their jobs, families, or education.

Intensive Outpatient Programs

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) work a lot like PHPs as they require several hours of treatment and therapy daily. The main difference is that rather than seven days a week, treatment is typically scheduled starting only five days per week, making it a little less intensive.

Standard Outpatient

Standard outpatient treatment requires just a few hours of therapy and treatment per week, which makes it the least intensive of all the outpatient treatment options. For those attending standard outpatient treatment, support group meetings, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), may help supplement care by providing additional encouragement and community.

Telehealth and Online Addiction Treatment

Telehealth virtual therapy makes substance use treatment much more accessible in today’s world. These virtual services allow isolated individuals or individuals with physical disabilities to get the treatment they need. However, for individuals that require a medical detox and 24/7 care, virtual drug rehab in Wisconsin won’t be enough to offer the right support and medical attention needed to recover.

Medical Detox Services

Chronic substance abuse can lead to physiological dependence, which means your body requires the presence of the drug to function optimally. If you abruptly quit using substances, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms, which can be very unpleasant and distressing. Withdrawal from certain substances, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates, can be life-threatening due to the risk of seizures—additionally, opioid withdrawal can be extremely painful.

The entire withdrawal process can last several weeks, with the severity and duration depending on the following factors:⁴

• The type of substances being used
• The duration of the substance use
• The number of substances typically used at once
• Any other co-existing health or mental health conditions

Because of the risk of seizures and severe withdrawal symptoms, medical detox is often necessary.

Medical detox involves round-the-clock care and supervision to ensure the safety of the individual and certain medications to aid in symptomatic relief. Detox is typically the first step in drug and alcohol rehab in Wisconsin, regardless of the type of substances being used.

Specialized care is also an option when it comes to alcohol and drug rehab in Wisconsin. When we talk about specialized care about rehab, we mean the specific programs that are purposefully designed to cater to specific populations.

Veteran Rehab

Veteran rehab facilities are mostly run by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Veteran rehabs specialize in providing the unique and necessary medical, social, vocational, and rehabilitation therapies for returning soldiers that have been negatively impacted during their time of active duty.

LGBTQ+ Rehab

Members of the LGBTQ+ community are about twice as likely to struggle with substance use disorders compared to the rest of the general population.⁵ This is due to several factors, including the community’s vulnerability to ongoing discrimination, family rejection, stigma, and higher rates of depression.

LGBTQ+ rehabs have a direct focus on the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, addressing all of the above factors and the patients on an individual level.

Faith-Based Rehab

Faith-based rehab programs offer a spiritual approach to addiction recovery, integrating prayer groups and literature studies into treatment plans. If your religion is important to you, you may want to consider finding a spiritual rehab.

Men-Only Rehab

Men and women may have different challenges when it comes to recovering from drug or alcohol addiction, especially because of societal expectations and pressures. Men may struggle with vulnerability or stigma related to seeking treatment. A men-only rehab may help them feel more comfortable expressing themselves.

Women-Only Rehab

Women may have been victims of domestic violence or intimate partner violence and may feel more comfortable in women-only settings.

Women-only and men-only rehab facilities allow individuals to receive treatment based on the contributing factors leading to substance use disorders regarding their specific gender.

Teen Rehab

Teen rehab focuses on the significant psychological physiological, and social changes adolescents experience that often provoke their ongoing substance use.

These types of facilities are designed to address teenagers based on these changes and an individual level to provide proper treatment. This would include giving them the tools to cope with the various pressures that tend to trigger substance dependence.

Sometimes, finding treatment in the state you’re in isn’t right for you. Sometimes traveling to a new state is much more beneficial as can allow you to get far away from the environment that triggered your substance use in the first place. In other cases, it means moving closer to your family and friends for an added layer of support.

Regional Considerations for Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a state characterized by its hills of the Superior Highlands, other major high points, lakes, and wetlands—all of which separate it into five distinct regions: The Lake Superior Lowland, the Northern Highland, the Central Plain, the Western Upland, and the Eastern Ridges and Lowlands. Its most populous cities also include Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Kenosha.

One of the most important things to consider when identifying a rehab center is the type of setting that will be best for your recovery. For example, would you prefer the noise of the city or serene nature scapes?

Life after rehab is an adjustment, to say the least. Once you complete your inpatient treatment, returning to back to normal life usually means returning to work, friends, family, school, and so on. All of these things can trigger substance cravings, tempting you to relapse. However, that’s what aftercare and aftercare planning are for.

Aftercare refers to any type of ongoing care you’ll be receiving once you leave rehab. During your inpatient treatment, you’ll come up with an aftercare plan with your recovery team to support your early recovery and help to prevent potential relapse. This will help you anticipate the potential challenges you’ll likely encounter with a ready solution to keep you on a stable path.

Aftercare is different for everybody. It can include any one of the following elements:

• Residing in a sober living home as you transition out of residential care and back to “normal” life
• Attending local support group NA or AA meetings
• Continuing individual counseling
• Participating in your rehab facility’s alumni programs

If you’re looking for assistance exploring rehab options for yourself or a loved one, get help today at 800-405-1685 (Who Answers?) .

With the ongoing substance use and rise in overdose-related deaths, there’s a major stigma to contend with. It’s enough to keep people from seeking treatment for themselves or from helping others when a serious situation arises.

Fortunately, Wisconsin legislation is working to combat this stigma so that individuals with substance use disorders feel safe enough to get help—and a second chance. Here are a few of the substance use-related laws to know about in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin State Good Samaritan Law Amendment: In 2013, Wisconsin amended its Good Samaritan law to include instances of substance overdose.⁶ With this amendment in place, it’s now possible for anyone to call 911 in response to an overdose regardless of their participation in illicit substance use with limited immunity from criminal prosecution.⁶

Wisconsin Naloxone Access and Administration Law: As of May 2021, a Wisconsin statute was put into effect negating the need for a prescription to obtain or administer naloxone (also known as Narcan). The statute also authorizes individuals in a position to assist another at risk for overdose as long as they have been properly trained to recognize an overdose and administer naloxone. However, this includes bystanders.⁷

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act: The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was passed in 2008, and Wisconsin has been expanding health coverage to make its drug and alcohol rehabs more affordable.

This law ensures that substance use treatment and mental health treatment are both covered by insurance. Insurance providers are therefore prohibited from limiting the benefits associated with mental health care and substance use programs so that treatment may be more accessible.

1. Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2019, December 13). Substance Use: Drug Overdose Deaths Dashboard.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, November 10). Mental Health and Substance Use Insurance Help.
3. Elliott. (2013, May 13). Grants.
4. Mansi Shah, & Huecker, M. R. (2019, June 4). Opioid Withdrawal.
5. LGBT Substance Use—Beyond Statistics. (n.d.). SocialWorkToday.
6. Wisconsin Legislature: 961.443. (n.d.). CHAPTER 961 Unform Controlled Substances Act.
7. Wisconsin Department of Corrections Division of Community Corrections. (n.d.). AD 21-03 Use of Naloxone.pdf.