Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs in South Carolina

South Carolina Drug and Alcohol Rehab Facilities

According to SAMHSA, South Carolina was home to 121 substance abuse treatment facilities treating 20,539 patients in March of 2019. These centers comprise a wide variety of treatment programs, including

These treatment programs provide specialized services to 18 demographic groups, including the following:

• Active duty military members
• Pregnant and postpartum women
• Patients with co-occurring disorders
• Adolescents
• Members of the LGBT community.
• Thanks to these many options, patients who require support to overcome their addictions can typically find a facility that is equipped to meet their unique treatment needs.
• South Carolina Drug Rehab Breakdown
• Demographic Breakdown (By percentage of drug rehab facilities):
• Adult women: 47.1 percent
• Adult men: 43 percent
• Patients with co-occurring mental health disorders: 38.8 percent
• Adolescents: 38 percent
• Pregnant or postpartum women: 30.6 percent
• Patients who have suffered domestic abuse: 22.3 percent
• Seniors: 17.4 percent
• Veterans: 13.2 percent
• LGBT: 12.4 percent
• Active duty military: 7.4 percent
• Payment Options Breakdown (By percentage of drug rehab facilities):
• Cash or self-payment: 89.3 percent
• Private insurance: 69.4 percent
• Medicaid: 68.6 percent
• Minimal charge or no-charge treatment for patients in need: 57.9 percent
• Sliding fee: 38.8 percent
• Federal military insurance: 31.4 percent
• Medicare: 19.8 percent
• ITU funds: 3.3 percent

With a wide variety of payment options available, South Carolina provides many options for patients who require treatment. As a result, patients should be confident in seeking addiction treatment in the state.

Treatment Approaches in South Carolina

12 Step

12-step programs have a reputation for success, thanks to their ability to provide structure and community to addicts who seek treatment. As a result, an average of 74 percent of facilities nationwide utilize these programs at least occasionally. In South Carolina, 70.2 percent of facilities provide 12-step facilitation. Defined by 12 principles and regular community meetings, these programs are almost 90 years old and often work for patients seeking to maintain their recoveries over the long term.

Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring

Mental illnesses as varied as bipolar disorder and anxiety, PTSD and depression can all coexist alongside substance use disorder (SUD), because many patients utilize addictive substances to cope with the symptoms of their mental illness. In 2020, dual diagnoses afflicted 17 million Americans. In South Carolina, 38.8 percent of facilities provide integrated treatment, which refers to treatment that focuses on both the mental illness and the SUD.

Detox

Medically supervised detox is a critical first step in rehab because it allows for the safe and comfortable withdrawal of the addictive substance from the patient's body. With 24/7 medical support and medication, these programs can make it easier for patients to complete their withdrawal and continue on to a rehab facility. In South Carolina, the majority of detox facilities (14 facilities) are available in an outpatient setting.

Short-Term Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab refers to facilities that allow patients to live at the rehab center and receive intensive, 24/7 support and treatment. These programs that last 30 days or less are referred to as short-term inpatient rehab. In South Carolina, 8.3 percent of facilities provide this type of residential service.

Long-Term Residential Rehab

Inpatient programs that last 30 days or longer are referred to as long-term residential rehab. Often, these programs are more effective than short-term programs because they provide the patient with more time to break their addiction and receive focused treatment. In South Carolina, 10.7 percent of facilities offer long-term residential rehab.

Rehab Costs In South Carolina

There is no set rehab cost in South Carolina, due to factors such as the following:

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

As a result, patients need to consult with their preferred rehab center in order to determine the treatments they will require and the costs of those treatments. In addition, patients can explore the following and other payment options for their treatment:

Private Health Insurance for Addiction Rehab

Private healthcare in South Carolina is available through both healthcare exchanges and through employers. As a result of requirements from the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans are required to provide at least some coverage for drug rehab services. However, these plans can differ in the copays and deductibles they require, the treatment programs they would cover, and other factors. In South Carolina, 69.4 percent of facilities accept some form of private health insurance. Patients interested in using this payment method should consult with their insurance provider regarding the details of their coverage.

Medicaid and Medicare for Addiction Rehab

Medicare is a federal healthcare program that provides coverage for patients who are at least 65 years of age. Medicaid is a federal healthcare program that provides coverage for patients who meet certain low income requirements. Both of these programs cover the costs of drug and alcohol treatment in full, as long as patients attend a treatment center that accepts Medicare or Medicaid. In South Carolina, 19.8 percent of facilities accept Medicare, while 68.6 percent of facilities accept Medicaid.

Uninsured Addiction Rehab

Uninsured individuals in South Carolina can also access drug treatment, as long as they choose a facility that provides assistance for financially needy patients. These are two of the most common ways in which facilities make treatment more affordable for patients:

Sliding Scale Payments

Sliding scale fees are fees that adjust downward for patients who can afford to pay less. In South Carolina, 38.8 percent of facilities provide their services on a sliding scale in order to make treatment more widely available to patients.

Free drug rehab

7.4 percent of facilities in South Carolina provide free treatment for all patients. In addition, 57.9 percent of facilities offer treatment at no charge or minimal charge if patients cannot afford their treatment any other way.

These options in South Carolina mean that no patient should avoid rehab because of concerns about cost. Instead, they should consult with addiction counselors to receive support in finding rehab programs that fit both their recovery and their financial needs.

South Carolina Drug Treatment Overview

South Carolina's drug treatment options are not as robust as those of other states. However, the state still has some pros, as well as a number of cons, for patients to consider:

Pros

The designated residential bed utilization rate for South Carolina is low: 96.9 percent, which can make it easier for patients to access a bed with less waiting.

96.7 percent of facilities provide relapse prevention services to assist patients with maintaining their recoveries over the long term.

Cons

Only 26.4 percent of facilities provide comprehensive mental health diagnoses, which could make it difficult for undiagnosed patients to receive the diagnosis and support they need to manage a mental illness.

South Carolina has one of the lowest rates of Medicare adoption in the nation: Just 19.8 percent.

Only 7.4 percent of facilities provide specialized services to active duty military and their families, making it hard for these patients to receive specialized services to help them deal with addiction.

At only 38.8 percent, the percentage of rehab centers offering sliding scale fees is also low. As a result, patients who require assistance with paying for their rehab may need to wait to find a spot at one of the facilities that works with financially needy patients.

South Carolina Drug Use Statistics

South Carolina faces a struggle with illicit drugs in much the same was as the rest of the nation does. Here is a look at the state's most important drug use statistics:

From the South Carolina DAODAS:

• 1,103 deaths occurred from drug overdoses in the state in 2018.
• 816 of these deaths were opioid-related.
• Opioid deaths increased 9 percent between 2017 and 2018.
• 460 of these deaths were from fentanyl.

From the SAMHSA:

• 21,892 individuals over the age of 12 were admitted for substance abuse treatment in South Carolina in 2020.
• 8 percent of treatment admissions were for amphetamines.
• 9 percent of treatment admissions were for heroin.
• 7.8 percent of treatment admissions were for other opiates.