Addiction Treatment Programs in Alaska

Alaska Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs

Alaska provides almost 100 drug rehab options for those struggling with addiction. These centers and programs include 7 detox centers and 49 outpatient treatment programs. Other services patients can access include 11 long-term inpatient rehabs and 11 transitional living facilities.

About 24% of facilities in Alaska provide long-term residential care, where patients live at the facility and receive 24/7 support for longer than a month.

Alaska's variety of rehab facilities cater to numerous demographics in order to meet the often varied needs of patients. For example, the state provides programs tailored specifically for adolescents, adult women, adult men, pregnant and postpartum women, seniors, veterans, DUI/DWI patients, those with co-occurring mental illnesses, and more.

Alaska Drug Rehab Breakdown

Demographic Breakdown (By percentage of drug rehab facilities):

• Patients with co-occurring mental health disorders: 53.1 percent
• Adult women: 39.6 percent
• Adult men: 37.5 percent
• Adolescents: 31.3 percent
• Patients who have suffered domestic abuse: 25 percent
• Pregnant or postpartum women: 21.9 percent
• Seniors: 13.5 percent
• Veterans: 13.5 percent
• LGBT: 11.5 percent
• Active duty military: 8.3 percent
• Payment Options Breakdown (By percentage of drug rehab facilities):
• Private insurance: 93.8 percent
• Cash or self-payment: 92.7 percent
• Medicaid: 88.5 percent
• Sliding fee: 81.3 percent
• Federal military insurance: 70.8 percent
• Minimal charge or no-charge treatment for patients in need: 61.5 percent
• Medicare: 50 percent
• ITU funds: 38.5 percent

Patients seeking treatment for their addiction are likely to find it in Alaska, thanks to this wide array of tailored options and payment choices.

Treatment Approaches in Alaska

12 Step

12-step programs began in 1938 as a way to structure addicts' lives toward recovery. Today, these programs provide 12 principles that help patients work toward a recovery that lasts. These programs are defined by regular group meetings, acknowledgment of their addiction, and a commitment to a higher power. The community, support, and structure these programs offer are effective tools for recovery. One study of veterans found that 18-month abstinence rates for 12-step participants were twice as high as for those who did not attend a program.

Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring

Often, mental illness goes hand-in-hand with substance abuse. Called co-occurring or dual diagnosis, this reality adds complexity to an individual's recovery because the patient requires treatment for both illnesses in order to successfully reclaim their life. Co-occurring illness existed in 9.5 million people in 2019, according to a SAMHSA report. One by SAMHSA found that 9.5 million people in 2019 suffered from a co-occurring substance abuse disorder and mental illness. In order to serve their need for mental health and substance abuse recovery, more than 53 percent of rehab programs in Alaska cater to this demographic.

Detox

As the first step in recovery, detox provides a medically supervised and safe environment where patients can withdraw from the substances to which they are addicted. Once these substances leave their systems, patients typically go on to a rehab program in order to gain the tools they need to successfully continue their recovery once they return to their daily lives. Often, detox centers in Alaska are standalone locations, although they can exist as part of a broader rehab facility or medical center. Only about 3 facilities in Alaska offer detox services.

Short-Term Inpatient Rehab

Patients who require inpatient care to overcome complex or severe addiction can find both short-term and long-term options in Alaska. Short-term inpatient rehab lasts less than 30 days. Residential programs that Rehab programs of less than 30 days where patients live at the rehab facility and receive services round the clock are called short-term inpatient rehab. In Alaska, 12.5 percent, or about 12 facilities, offer this type of addiction recovery program.

Long-Term Residential Rehab

Programs that provide inpatient care for more than 30 days are referred to as long-term residential rehab. These programs are most suitable for patients who suffer from complex addiction, multiple addictions, or who have struggled to overcome their addiction in other programs. About 24 percent of rehab programs in Alaska offer this type of rehab.

Rehab Costs In Alaska

Drug rehab costs in Alaska are not the same for everyone. Instead, they vary based on many different factors, including the following:

• Rehab program
• Therapy
• Aftercare
• Treatment approaches
• Insurance coverage
• And more

The good news is that anyone can access drug rehab in Alaska, because the state's programs accept many different forms of payment. A small number of facilities even provide free treatment for any patient. allow patients to pay in a wide variety of ways. These options make drug rehab affordable, regardless of a patient's insurance coverage.

Private Health Insurance for Addiction Rehab

The vast majority (93.8 percent) of drug rehab facilities in Alaska accept private health insurance plans. Patients can use the applicable benefits from these plans to help pay for the costs of their rehab. However, before entering a facility, patients need to determine how much of their rehab their insurance will cover. Coverage varies depending upon the specific policy they hold, the specific program they enter, and the specific services they require. Patients can contact a rehab program or their insurance company to better understand how their insurance will affect their rehab costs in Alaska.

Medicaid and Medicare for Addiction Rehab

Medicaid and Medicare provide healthcare coverage for Americans who meet certain low income thresholds that make it difficult for them to obtain private insurance. A large majority of facilities (88.5 percent) of facilities accept Medicaid payment in Alaska, while 50 percent of facilities accept Medicare. Drug and alcohol rehab are covered, often 100 percent, under these insurance programs, making it easier for patients to access the addiction recovery support they need.

Uninsured Addiction Rehab

Some patients may lack insurance coverage altogether. For example, some individuals make too much to qualify for Medicare or Medicaid but not enough to afford private insurance. In order to serve these patients, some facilities in Alaska provide services for free or for reduced costs.

Sliding Scale Payments

A large majority (81.3 percent, or 78 facilities) offer their services on a sliding scale. This means that they charge patients based upon the patient's ability to pay. The less an individual makes, the less they have to pay for their rehab services.

Free drug rehab

In Alaska, 3 facilities offer completely free services to all of their patients. However, a much larger percentage of facilities (61.5 percent, or 59 facilities), will offer their services at no charge or almost no charge for patients who cannot afford to pay for their treatment. This means that they do not refuse patients based on their inability to pay. Often, these facilities use donated funds or state funding to cover the costs of drug rehab for needy patients so that everyone who requires addiction recovery support can get it.

The best way to find a drug rehab program that you can afford is to call at treatment center and speak with their finance professionals or counselors. These centers can not only evaluate your rehab needs but direct you to the programs that are both affordable and suitable for your circumstances.

Alaska Drug Treatment Overview

Alaska has drug rehab programs for everyone, but does not always have enough facilities to make affordable or specialized rehab easily accessible.

Most of Alaska's drug rehab facilities are private, non-profit programs, which can translate into lower costs and more resources for low-income individuals.

Because 81.3 percent of Alaska's drug rehab programs offer services on a sliding scale, in addition to 61.5 percent of facilities offering no-charge or minimal-charge services for needy patients, affordable rehab is within reach for many of the state's residents, regardless of their income or insurance status.

Free treatment is available to patients who cannot afford to pay for rehab.

Alaska's drug rehab programs encompass every stage of recovery, from assessment to aftercare. Patients can even receive counseling and support for additional health issues, such as HIV, hepatitis, or co-occurring mental illnesses, making Alaska a place where addicts can receive treatment for all of their health concerns.

Alaska's drug rehab programs serve many demographics, including adolescents, pregnant and postpartum women, veterans, active duty military, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

More than half (51 percent) of the state's drug rehab programs offer services in a language other than English (including sign language). This makes treatment more accessible and comfortable for a wider range of patients.

Programs that accept ITU funds are relatively common in Alaska (38.5 percent).

Alaska's detox services are limited, with only 8.3 percent of outpatient programs, 2.1 percent of non-hospital residential programs, and 1 percent of hospital residential programs offering this service.

While patients can find facilities that provide childcare and beds for children accompanying their parents in rehab, these facilities are extremely limited, with only 4.2 percent of facilities providing beds and 7.3 percent providing childcare.

Alaska Drug Use Statistics

As are many parts of the country, Alaska is combating a rise in substance abuse. Over the last 3 years, overdose deaths have increased by 4.79 percent, and the state averages 132 overdose deaths a year. Here is a look at some of the state's most important drug use statistics.

From the National Institute On Drug Abuse:

• 70 percent of overdose deaths in 2018 were caused by opioids.
• Deaths from synthetic opioids (including fentanyl) are rising.
• From the SAMHSA:
• More than 5,500 individuals over the age of 12 were admitted for substance abuse treatment in Alaska in 2020.
• 10.8 percent of treatment admissions in Alaska were for amphetamines.
• 20.7 percent of treatment admissions in Alaska were for heroin
• 3.4 percent of treatment admissions in Alaska were for other opiates
• 54.3 percent of opiates treatment admissions in Alabama were between 30 and 45 years old