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If you are looking for an alcohol rehab in North Carolina, you have plenty of options, including low-cost and free rehabs, inpatient and outpatient care, dual diagnosis, Christian rehab, and specialized treatment for teens, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and beyond. Many North Carolina alcohol rehabs accept private insurance, as well as Medicaid and Medicare. Regardless of the severity or duration of your alcohol addiction, there is the right treatment program for you. Check out treatment in Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, and more.

North Carolina Alcohol Use Statistics

In 2020, 15.8% of adults in North Carolina engaged in excessive drinking, defined as binge drinking in the past 30 days or consistent heavy drinking.¹ This means that nearly one in every six adults in North Carolina regularly engages in excessive drinking on a yearly basis. If you are struggling with alcohol dependence and considering treatment at an alcohol rehab in North Carolina, you are not alone.

Other trends in North Carolina’s 2020 alcohol consumption statistics include:¹

The 18-44 age group showed the highest percentage of excessive drinking, with 22.6% reporting this behavior.
5% of men in the state reported excessive drinking, compared to 12.4% of women.
Overall, higher income levels showed higher excessive drinking rates, with 19.6% of people with an income over $75,000 a year engaging in excessive drinking, compared to 12.4% of those with an income less than $25,000 a year.

Excessive drinking does not necessarily indicate a serious problem; however, it remains a significant risk factor in the development of alcohol use disorder. Excessive drinking can also lead to many other consequences, such as alcohol poisoning, memory and learning disturbances, violence and injuries, an increased risk of certain types of cancer, and mood instability.¹

How Much Does a North Carolina Alcohol Rehab Cost?

The cost of alcohol rehab in North Carolina will vary greatly depending on the facility and multiple factors, including:

Type of rehab (inpatient vs. outpatient)
Location
Government funding
Accepted insurance plans
Features and amenities (luxury vs. standard)
Duration of treatment
Level of income

In general, inpatient alcohol rehabs in North Carolina will cost more than outpatient rehabs due to the higher costs of residing at a facility and the accompanying high intensity of care. Additionally, luxury rehab facilities in North Carolina will provide upscale amenities and comfort during treatment, though this comes at a higher cost.

How to Find Free Rehabs in North Carolina

If you do not have enough insurance coverage or funds to afford treatment, there are free and low-cost options for alcohol rehab in North Carolina. These programs are subsidized by various sources, including charitable donations, private donations, and government grants.

Typically, free programs are only offered to individuals who could otherwise not afford rehab; being above a certain income level will likely limit your ability to qualify for this type of alcohol rehab in North Carolina. To see what kind of free or low-cost programs you qualify for, call us at 800-948-8417 Who Answers? for assistance.

Does Insurance Cover Alcohol Rehab in North Carolina?

Many people looking for alcohol rehab in North Carolina are pleasantly surprised to learn that their insurance provides at least some coverage level for alcohol use disorder treatment. With the help of the Affordable Care Act and Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, health insurance coverage for alcohol rehab has seen a significant expansion over the past decade.

While some insurance plans will provide more help than others, you are likely to receive at least some assistance to pay the treatment costs of alcohol rehab in North Carolina if you have health insurance.

Private Insurance Coverage for Treatment

Private health insurance will often cover some portion of costs for treatment of alcohol use disorder and associated psychiatric conditions. The insurance company, coverage level, and treatment facility will determine how much of your treatment will be covered and how much of the cost you will be personally responsible for paying.

More comprehensive insurance coverage, such as a gold or platinum plan, will generally cover a large portion or all of the costs for alcohol rehab. Lower-level bronze and silver plans will usually provide some coverage, but you will likely find your out-of-pocket costs to be higher. Popular insurers in North Carolina include Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Aetna, Cigna Health, Bright HealthCare, and United Healthcare.

Using Medicaid to Pay for Alcohol Rehab

North Carolina Medicaid provides health coverage for specific categories of people in the state with low income through state and federal funding. To be eligible for NC Medicaid, you must be a resident of the state, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health insurance assistance, and in a financial situation that would be characterized as low or very low income. You must also be one of the following:

Pregnant
Responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger
Blind
Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability
65 years of age or older

As one of the largest payers for alcohol use disorder treatment and mental health conditions, NC Medicaid is accepted at many alcohol rehabs in North Carolina. While NC Medicaid will likely not cover the entire cost of your treatment, it will go a long way in reducing the amount you will pay out-of-pocket for treatment.

Using Medicare to Pay for Alcoholism Treatment

Medicare is the federal government’s health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain people with disabilities, and individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital treatments, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some types of home health care, while Medicare Part B covers certain types of doctor services, general outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.

Medicare provides coverage for inpatient and outpatient alcohol rehab services in North Carolina as long the treatment program is considered medically necessary by a qualified professional. Part A covers some costs for inpatient alcohol rehab, while Part B covers certain costs for outpatient rehab services; in both cases, patients are expected to pay the same copays they would for any other inpatient or outpatient service with Medicare coverage.

Medicare’s coverage of services for behavioral health, mental health, and alcohol use disorder is not as extensive as for other services; unfortunately, there are limits such as total length of stay in inpatient rehab and treatment costs over the course of a year. To learn specific details about costs, coverage limits, and participating treatment programs in North Carolina, call us at 800-948-8417 Who Answers? or contact your Medicare plan administrator.

Does My Insurance Plan Provide Rehab Coverage?

With the wide variety of insurance providers and individual plans you could have, it is very difficult to know to what extent your insurance covers addiction treatment without doing some research. Thankfully, there are two great options for figuring out what kind of coverage your insurance plan will provide for alcohol rehab in North Carolina. You can give us a call at 800-948-8417 Who Answers? to go over what your plan will cover, the best rehabs for your plan, and what you can expect in terms of costs.

Additionally, the phone number listed on the back of your health insurance card gives you a direct line to your insurance provider, allowing you to discuss rehab options and figure out how much coverage they will provide for your rehab treatment.

How to Pay for Alcohol Addiction Treatment in North Carolina

If you still find yourself unable to afford alcohol rehab in North Carolina without outside financial support, there are other options to help finance your treatment. These include scholarships, sliding scale programs, and payment plans.

Apply for a Rehab Scholarship

Rehab scholarships can be a great way to increase your ability to afford alcohol rehab in North Carolina. Scholarships are generally offered only to those who need treatment but are unable to afford it without help. They are most often provided by individual rehabs but are also sometimes offered by corporations that own multiple treatment facilities, in addition to non-profit foundations.

You will need to contact the participating facility, corporation, or foundation directly to learn the steps involved in applying. Rehab scholarships are limited to that specific treatment facility while corporate scholarships will generally apply to several of the treatment facilities operated by that corporation, and non-profit foundation scholarships tend to offer some flexibility when choosing a program for treatment.

Find a Program That Offers Sliding Scale Fees

In order to make alcohol addiction treatment more affordable and accessible to more people in the state, many alcohol rehabs in North Carolina their services on a sliding scale cost basis. This means that people with higher incomes with pay higher rates for treatment, whereas individuals with lower incomes will pay less to receive treatment. Sliding scale programs usually consider household income when determining the cost of rehab, which allows members of lower-income households to pay lower rates for treatment services, while the program can still make enough money to cover operating costs for the facility.

To find a rehab offering sliding scale pricing in North Carolina, call us at 800-948-8417 Who Answers? for assistance.

Choose a Program that Offers Payment Plans

If the prospect of paying the entire cost of a rehab stay upfront is too daunting, payment plans allow you to pay for your treatment over a period rather than paying everything up front. Some rehabs will provide you with their own payment plan by setting a total cost for treatment at the start and establishing a monthly rate you will pay for the duration of the agreement. Other rehabs will involve a third party to finance the treatment where the third party provides full payment up front to the facility, and you then make payments to the third party until you have satisfied the full balance.

When looking for alcohol rehabs in North Carolina, they will generally advertise if payment plan options are offered. If you need more help finding affordable options, call us at 800-948-8417 Who Answers? , and we’ll work to pair you with a rehab that fits your needs, budget, and preferred payment method.

Popular Alcohol Rehab Programs in North Carolina

Family Preservation Services North Carolina

Family Preservation Services provides individual and family-centered treatment for adolescents and adults presenting with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Using evidence-based approaches, their treatments are centered around building and strengthening family support to improve the resilience and long-term commitment in those recovering from substance use issues. After successful completion of the 12-week program, you can transition into their Continuing Care program – a weekly hour and a half-hour group that provides continuous support throughout the crucial first year of treatment.

Carolina Community Support Services

Carolina Community Support Services, Inc. is a premier agency that provides comprehensive substance misuse and mental health services. Their experienced employees possess deep compassion and understanding for people and families struggling with mental health and substance use issues. They understand the struggle that their clients go through, and utilize all of their expert training and skills provide the appropriate care and support their clients need.

Genesis Project 1

The Genesis Project 1 works with families to provide services such as counseling, structured groups, exposure events, and in-home meetings, with the goals of empowerment, family growth, and success. Believing that many people have written off our youth and their families in at-risk communities, Genesis’ services have been developed to address the developmental, social and community needs of children and their families in communities. The Genesis Project’s purpose is to introduce new supports, skills, awareness, and opportunities to youth adults in order to mitigate negative life decisions and inspire individuals and families to progress from a perpetual state of surviving to a more satisfying and productive state of thriving!

North Carolina Rescue Mission Rebound

For those seeking a spiritually-based rehab setting, North Carolina Rescue Mission believes that God’s power can deliver individuals with alcohol use issues from the compulsion to drink and to set them free from the associated emotional, spiritual, physical, and social consequences of excessive drinking. They believe that professional therapy and treatment is necessary to help individuals overcome the consequences of alcohol use disorder and that they are a “family disorder”, meaning that all of the members of the individual’s family need to be a part of the recovery process by receiving specialized help.

Western Carolina Rescue Ministries

Seeking to provide Rescue, Recovery, and Restoration in Jesus’ name, the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries believes that God has so much more to offer for the men, women, and children of Western North Carolina struggling with poverty, homelessness, and addiction. In addition to many other wonderful services, they offer a free residential addiction program, allowing those looking for spiritually-guided and affordable treatment to receive the care they need and desire.

Alcohol Rehab Settings

Inpatient Alcoholism Treatment

Inpatient rehab programs in North Carolina are designed for patients who require structured routines with a high level of support and round-the-clock care. They are also the ideal choice for those who require support for the initial detox before proceeding with therapy and other treatment approaches. In inpatient rehab, you reside at the facility for the full duration of treatment, generally lasting 30, 60, or 90 days. When you arrive at inpatient rehab, you complete your intake paperwork, receive a room and bed assignment, and go through a professional psychological assessment administered by highly qualified clinicians. Based on the assessment, you are provided with a highly structured schedule and a personalized treatment plan, which may include several of the following approaches:

Individual, group, and family therapy
Relapse prevention education
Holistic treatments
Post-discharge planning
Recreational therapy

Inpatient rehab offers many advantages for those requiring a more intensive, supportive environment for alcohol use disorder treatment. These benefits include:

Detoxification: Inpatient programs provide a safe place to detox while medical professionals monitor vitals. Alcohol detox lasts anywhere from 3 to 10 days, with withdrawal symptoms starting within 6 hours of alcohol cessation and generally being at their worst at 72 hours. Being in an inpatient rehab gives you constant access to assistance for withdrawal symptoms through medical monitoring and appropriate medication.
Success Rate: When someone with alcohol use disorder engages in outpatient rehab, they may continue to be exposed to stressors and triggers in their environment that originally led them to cope with using alcohol. The inpatient setting limits your access to alcohol and increases your chances of reaching and maintaining recovery from alcohol use disorder by providing you with a structured framework to manage relapses and ensure you have the time and treatment resources to address the underlying causes of your alcohol use disorder.
Community: Inpatient facilities encourage the development of community and fellowship between staff, counselors, and other patients. This sense of community can help you feel less isolated, provide greater support, and give you higher confidence to overcome recovery challenges.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), otherwise known as day treatment programs, is a type of alcohol rehab that delivers a high level of care while allowing patients to return home at the end of the day. PHPs offer a similar intensity and structure compared to inpatient programs, meeting four to six hours a day for at least five days a week. This type of rehab is helpful for individuals who:

Need a high level of care but are able to remain clean outside the rehab center
Have already completed an inpatient treatment program but feel at high risk of relapse
Have a hard time motivating themselves to continue treatment
Have a co-occurring psychiatric disorder such as anxiety or depression
Live in environments where they are at risk of relapsing and have little support
Are not making optimal recovery progress in standard outpatient

The major benefits of a PHP are the ability to receive intensive therapy and treatment while still being able to return home each night, access to individual and group therapies, a heavily structured daily routine, and a supportive community that can help you in the transition from inpatient to outpatient treatment programs.

Intensive Outpatient Programs

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are less than intense than PHPs, but still maintain a high level of care for individuals who are not ready for standard outpatient treatment. During an IOP, patients undergo treatments including group therapy sessions, individual counseling, life skills classes, and support groups that help build a supportive social network, re-establish routines, and begin the process of returning to a sober life with greater self-management tools. The goal of an IOP is to slowly transition from intensive treatment to a more flexible schedule, initially meeting for two to four hours a day, several days a week, and gradually decreasing the intensity of treatment. The major benefits of an IOP include maintaining household responsibilities, including childcare, the ability to get assistance from friends and family, lower cost than inpatient and PHP programs, and the ability to build a community with others in recovery in your area.

Standard Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

Standard outpatient alcohol rehab is the most flexible option and is a great choice if you need to continue your routine and duties such as working, attending school, or fulfilling familial obligations while you receive treatment for alcohol use disorder. In outpatient rehab, you live at home while attending treatment and counseling sessions at a local outpatient facility. This offers several benefits compared to more intensive programs, including:

Maintaining Employment: Let’s face it: taking weeks, or even months, off work, is not an option for most of us. Most outpatient rehab programs are offered during off-hours, allowing you to get treatment while still maintaining your job. Although a leave of absence to attend alcohol rehab is typically protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the ability to receive outpatient treatment while still being able to work can help relieve your financial concerns and maintain your everyday routine.
Treatment Cost: Compared to inpatient rehab or the more intensive outpatient options, the cost of standard outpatient treatment is much more affordable. Without the costs for housing, food, and a high level of care, your standard outpatient costs will be considerably lower, and your insurance may cover a larger portion of them.
Family Focus: outpatient treatment makes it much easier to keep close connections with your friends and family, accept their support, and spend meaningful time with them. The outpatient treatment model facilitates the building of community in your daily life.

Virtual Alcohol Rehab and Telehealth

The rising availability of telemedicine and online medical interventions has made receiving treatment for alcohol use disorder from the comfort of your home an increasingly viable option. Telehealth treatments allow you to work face to face with medical and mental health practitioners to address your alcohol use disorder, as well as any mental health issues that may be creating barriers to successful recovery.

Recent research has demonstrated that patients undergoing telehealth treatments for alcohol use disorder experienced a marked decrease in alcohol consumption and depression, along with improved accessibility, patient satisfaction, and quality of life.² In addition to video healthcare visits, telehealth for substance use disorders often includes online educational courses, apps focusing on lifestyle and habit change, and email and text check-ins to increase accountability. The major advantages of telehealth and related treatments include high accessibility, a lower cost compared to other treatment options, scheduling flexibility, and a wide range of resources and potential treatments.

Medical Detox Services

If you find yourself needing to consistently consume alcohol to feel “normal,” you may require a medical detox before proceeding with the next steps in rehab. Suppose your alcohol intake is consistently high enough. In that case, your body can become so accustomed to the presence and effects of alcohol, that suddenly stopping your consumption can leave your body struggling to keep your vital signs stable.

Medical detox is typically performed in an inpatient rehab or hospital, where you can be stabilized by medical professionals and assisted with withdrawal symptoms. Detox from alcohol can last anywhere from 3 to 10 days, with symptoms beginning as soon as 6 hours after you stop drinking, but generally reaching the worst level around 72 hours. Medical detox does not replace treatment for alcohol use disorder; it is rather the first step on your path to recovery in alcohol rehab.

Specialized Alcohol Rehab Programs in North Carolina

Veteran Rehab

Studies show that veterans tend to have a higher rate of alcohol use disorder than the general public.³ This is likely due to a variety of complex factors, including a much higher prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and potential stress and challenges when transitioning back to civilian life after returning from deployment. As a result, veterans being treated for alcohol use disorder often require additional consideration and evaluation for psychiatric issues that are common with many former service members.

Veteran rehab combines care for alcohol use disorder with specialized mental health assessment, counseling, and support. This can include group therapy with other veterans, family therapy, and medication, all administered by clinicians who are well versed in the challenges and needs of veterans. In this setting, the unique stressors veterans may have experienced are better understood and considered when treating their substance use issues to provide a supportive therapeutic environment.

LGBTQ+ Rehab

Individuals in the LGBTQ+ community often face discrimination, social stigma, and other significant challenges those who identify as heterosexual do not typically experience. They also face a higher incidence of violence and harassment and are at an increased risk for multiple mental health and substance use issues.⁴

LGBTQ+ rehab cultivates a welcoming and supportive environment for those who have experienced such challenges and need treatment for alcohol use disorder. Experienced staff and therapists provide care without judgment or stigma that addresses the alcohol use issues in the context of any underlying psychiatric problems and past difficulties that may be contributing to their current circumstances.

Men-Only Rehab

Men and women can both have very different experiences with substance use disorders and rehab. In many cultures, men are often taught to conceal any emotion and vulnerability, making the process of healing from substance use and mental health issues contrary to their emotional disposition. Men in alcohol rehab often take longer than women to open up, which can become even more complicated when women are present during group therapy and other treatments. Men also experience and process emotions and trauma differently from women, requiring different therapeutic approaches that are specific to their needs.

Men-only rehab allows you to interact exclusively with other male patients, allowing you to be more open during treatment and to receive the men-specific help you need. You will engage in group therapy alongside other men, providing you with an environment where you are understood, and your needs as a man dealing with alcohol use disorder can best be addressed.

Women-Only Rehab

Much like men, women can also have a more positive rehab experience when surrounded only by other women. Studies show that women are more likely to experience some of the more dangerous side effects of alcohol use disorder, including higher death rates from alcohol poisoning, a larger risk of relapse, and a higher incidence of sexual assault. Women who are primary caregivers may fear the loss of custody of their children if they do not have appropriate childcare options during their time in rehab. Women-only rehab programs provide guidance for these potentially devastating issues, giving assistance to find childcare options and addressing similar barriers to treatment. Additionally, many female patients who pursue alcohol rehab have been abused by male partners or members of their family, making a male presence in rehab more emotionally challenging.

Women-only rehab nurtures a supportive environment where your needs and experiences as a woman are taken into consideration throughout the treatment process. Concerns such as caring for children, recovery from abuse, pregnancy, and societal pressure are addressed through group therapy attended exclusively by other women, allowing you to pursue alcohol rehab in a way that maximizes your comfort and healing potential.

Teen Rehab

Alcohol use disorder in teens can be highly challenging for teens and their families and should be addressed as soon as possible to reduce the risk of long-term consequences. Many teens struggle with emotional or physical trauma and sexual abuse, which require proper behavioral counseling and therapies in addition to the specific substance use disorder treatment. Teen rehab focuses on addressing the specific needs of teens while emphasizing healthy family involvement through group and family therapy. This helps to build a supportive network to maximize the effectiveness of rehab and promote long-term success.

Should I Travel to North Carolina for Alcohol Rehab?

Many people travel to North Carolina every year for alcohol addiction treatment. This may be for many different reasons, such as:

They live in a nearby state that doesn’t offer the type of rehab program they need.
They desire a change of scenery.
They have loved ones who live in the area.
Their insurance is accepted at rehabs in North Carolina.

A major benefit of traveling to North Carolina for rehab is that it gives you an escape from previous triggers and associations with drinking. A change of scenery allows you to start your treatment on a blank slate, free of negative associations or maladaptive habits.

Areas of North Carolina to Consider for Alcohol Rehab

North Carolina, sitting in a warm temperate zone with mild winters and hot summers, is made up of three major geographic region: the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, and the Mountains. If you are looking for access to beaches, islands, and saltwater, the Coastal Plain is a great place to look for rehab facilities. The Piedmont, French for “foot of the mountain,” is sometimes referred to as “the foothills.” It is a high, mostly flat section of the state sandwiched between the Coastal Plain to the east, and the Mountains to the west.

If you want wide open, flat expanses of beautiful scenery, the Piedmont may be the best choice for you. Finally, the Mountains region, home to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains, is full of hiking, national historic sites and parks, and breathtaking views. If you want recreational therapy and outdoor retreats to be part of your recovery process, you will want to look in the Mountains area.

Alcohol and Drug Laws in North Carolina

Drug Treatment Courts (DTC) use a team of court and community professionals to help ensure that individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes who have problems with alcohol receive the appropriate treatment they need to become healthy, law-abiding, and productive members of their family and community. Adult DTC works with non-violent, repeat offenders who are facing jail or prison time.

The goals of the adult DTC program are:

To reduce alcoholism and other drug dependencies among offenders;
To reduce recidivism;
To reduce the drug-related court workload;
To increase the personal, familial, and societal accountability of offenders; and
To promote effective interaction and use of resources among criminal justice personnel.

Aftercare Options for Ongoing Support and Relapse Prevention

Going to alcohol rehab for weeks or months, while an extremely important step on the road to recovery, is only a very small period compared to the many years of recovery that follow. For many people, adjusting to life after rehab poses a serious challenge, especially after losing the dedicated support and structured routine that inpatient rehab provided.

Thankfully, there are many aftercare options that can assist people in minimizing their risk of relapse, according to research.⁵ Many rehab programs help to provide sober-living arrangements, follow-up counseling and therapy, scheduled medical evaluations, and alumni support groups after discharge. There are numerous organizations that provide valuable aftercare services and resources to people in recovery.

Sober living homes are residential facilities that come with a commitment to remaining sober, abiding by curfews, and following general guidelines to reduce the risk of relapse and ease the transition out of rehab for individuals recovering from substance use disorders.
Support groups, such as Alcoholic Anonymous meetings in North Carolina and SMART Recovery, provide ongoing support from peers who underwent treatment for substance use disorders.

Aftercare is very important in maintaining sobriety and continuing to build your skillset for healthy coping skills and abstaining from alcohol.

Rehab provides many helpful treatments and educational resources, but ultimately, sobriety is a lifelong commitment. Thankfully, you don’t need to go through that process alone, as there are many options to find support. Call us at 800-948-8417 Who Answers? for more information.

Resources

America’s Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation. (2021). Trend: Excessive Drinking, North Carolina, United States.
Kruse, C. S., Lee, K., Watson, J. B., Lobo, L. G., Stoppelmoor, A. G., & Oyibo, S. E. (2020). Measures of effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of telemedicine in the management of alcohol abuse, addiction, and Rehabilitation: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 22(1).
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Substance Use and Military Life
Mereish E. H. (2019). Substance use and misuse among sexual and gender minority youth. Current opinion in psychology, 30, 123–127.
Blevins, C. E., Abrantes, A. M., Kurth, M. E., Gordon, A. L., & Stein, M. D. (2017). Alcohol treatment outcomes following discharge from a partial hospital program. Journal of Substance Use, 22(6), 643–647.