Alcohol and Drug Rehabs in Virginia: Finding Rehab in Virginia
If you live in Virginia and struggle with substance misuse, you aren't alone. The average number of Virginians, aged 12 or older, with a substance use disorder each year between 2017 and 2019 was nearly 500,000.1
Luckily there is help for Virginians struggling with substance misuse and addiction.
Where Is Addiction Treatment Located in Virginia?
In Virginia, 40 community services boards (CSBs) serve as points of entry for the state’s public behavioral health services, including treatment for mental health issues, substance misuse and addiction, and more.2,3 Each CSB provides different services. Some offer detox, inpatient, and outpatient care; others offer counseling, sober housing, and medication.3
A 2020 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services survey listed 249 drug and alcohol treatment facilities in Virginia.4 Of these, 103 operate as private, for-profit treatment centers; 87 are run by local, county, or community governments; 46 are private nonprofit treatment centers; 8 are run by the federal government; 5 are run by the state government; 4 are run by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and 4 are run by the Department of Defense.4
What Addictions Do Rehabs in Virginia Treat?
Like so many other states, the opioid crisis has had a devastating impact in Virginia. Opioids, specifically illicit, prescription, and analog fentanyl caused or contributed to 76.4% of the 2,669 fatal drug overdoses in the state in 2021.5
In Virginia, there are 158 facilities that provide medication for opioid addiction and therapies, including methadone, buprenorphine, and injectable naltrexone.4 However, opioid addiction is not the only substance use treatment facilities in Virginia provide. Other substance misuse and addictions treated in Virginia rehab centers include (but are not limited to):1,4
- Alcohol.
- Benzodiazepines and other prescription drugs.
- Cocaine.
- Methamphetamine.
- Marijuana.
- Heroin.
In addition to treating substance use disorders, 145 of the 249 addiction treatment centers in Virginia also provide treatment for disorders that often co-occur with substance misuse, such as depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).4
How Much Does It Cost to Go to Rehab in Virginia?
The cost of rehab in Virginia depends on several factors, including the facility’s location, amenities offered, and the services provided. For instance, inpatient care, where you live at the facility for the duration of treatment, costs more than outpatient programs, where you return home or to a sober living environment at the end of each day.
Addiction, however, can cost you way more than treatment in the long run. Consider the price you pay to obtain the substance, the costs associated with potential legal consequences associated with its use, and the toll substance misuse takes on your physical and mental health, which can lead to expensive emergency room visits.
Treatment is an investment, yes, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial costs. Don’t let the price of treatment deter you from seeking help.
Does Insurance Cover Rehab in Virginia?
As a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), group health plans and health insurance issuers have to provide mental health and substance use disorder benefits in the same manner that they provide other medical and surgical benefits.6 The specifics of what’s covered and for how long depend on the individual plan, so contact your insurance company to understand your insurance coverage for substance use treatment.
In Virginia, the 249 treatment facilities accept a variety of payment methods, including:4
- Private health insurance, which is taken by 84% of the rehabs in the state.
- Medicare, which is accepted at 62% of the facilities.
- Medicaid, which 80% of the treatment centers in Virginia take.
- State-financed health insurance plans, which are accepted at 45% of the rehabs.
- Federal military insurance, which is taken by 58% of the facilities.
Veterans eligible for healthcare benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) can receive care at any VA medical facility or program. The VA provides medication treatments, comprehensive therapy and counseling, and support for related conditions such as depression and PTSD.7 Veterans may also be able to receive treatment through non-VA facilities, such as American Addiction Centers (AAC) through the Community Care Program, depending on the Veteran’s health needs and circumstances.8
Additionally, several new treatment approaches are now covered by Medicaid through the Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS), part of Virginia’s Medicaid program, known as Cardinal Care. These benefits include inpatient detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, opioid treatment programs, office-based addiction treatment, case management, and peer recovery supports. ARTS care coordinators help Medicaid members navigate addiction treatment options and recovery supports in Virginia.9
When using any form of insurance to help pay for drug and alcohol treatment, your out-of-pocket expenses depend on your insurance coverage. Check with your provider for details.
Other Ways to Pay for Treatment in Virginia
Not having insurance does not mean you can’t receive treatment for substance misuse in Virginia. In fact, according to the 2020 National Survey on Substance Use Treatment Services conducted by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), facilities throughout the state accept various other forms of payment, including:4
- Cash or self-payment, which is accepted at 95% of the treatment centers.
- Payment based on a sliding scale, which means your cost is determined by your income. Sliding scale payments are accepted by 57% of the state’s facilities.
Additionally, 33% of the rehabs in Virginia provided treatment in 2020 at no cost or with minimal cost to the patient.4
If you don’t have insurance or other means to pay for treatment, contact your local CSB in Virginia to apply for reduced or no-cost care.10
Veterans without VA benefits may still be able to receive care through the VA. The VA offers special assistance to homeless Veterans and those who served in combat. It also provides referrals to community-based resources for all Veterans.7
Types of Addiction Treatment in Virginia
Virginia treatment centers provide different . In fact, using March 31, 2020, as a snapshot, there were 18,878 individuals receiving treatment for substance use in a facility in Virginia. Most of them (18,184 people) participated in some form of outpatient program, 534 individuals received treatment in a residential setting, and 160 obtained treatment in an inpatient hospital setting on that day.4
Addiction treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Instead, effective treatment is tailored to meet the needs of the individual and may include:11
- Outpatient programs. Outpatient programs allow the individual to maintain a job or stay in school. Office or clinic visits occur daily or on certain days each week and may range from 1 to 9 hours total per week. More intensive programs may require up to 20 hours weekly.
- Opioid treatment programs. Opioid treatment programs, like outpatient programs, require patients to come to the clinic where they receive medication-assisted care.
- Medically managed detoxification. Detox may take place in an outpatient or inpatient setting, depending on the substance, the severity of the substance use disorder, and other co-occurring mental or physical health conditions. Medically supervised detox helps the body rid itself of the substance safely and as comfortably as possible. Detox is typically not sufficient for sustained recovery. It is typically the first step in a more comprehensive treatment plan, which includes counseling and behavioral therapies done in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
- Residential treatment. Residential and inpatient treatment requires individuals to live at the facility, which may be a hospital, therapeutic community, or residential house setting, for the duration of treatment, where they learn to live substance free.
Regardless of the setting—either inpatient or outpatient—the interventions used in addiction treatment are the same and may include:11
- Medications.
- Behavioral therapies.
- Individual and group counseling.
- The simultaneous treatment of co-occurring mental health disorders, like anxiety and depression.
- Relapse prevention, including longer-term aftercare or ongoing care.
How to Find Addiction Treatment in Virginia
Before starting your search for a treatment program, it might help to develop a list of questions to ask. Here are a few suggestions:
- What are the accreditations and licenses the facility holds? Is it accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)?
- Is the facility in-network with your insurance provider? Check with your insurance company for facilities in its network.
- Does the facility treat co-occurring mental or physical conditions?
- Does it accommodate any special needs you may have? These needs may include dietary, medical, or disability issues.
- Does the facility let you maintain contact with family members and friends while you’re in its treatment program?
- Where is the facility located? Some prefer to stay close to home, while others prefer a location that’s farther away to avoid familiar patterns that may trigger substance use.
- Are there specialized programs for Veterans, women, or members of the LGBTQ+ community?
- What amenities does the facility offer?
You may find the ideal treatment setting outside your area, and a different location can open a new world of possibilities for you in a safe and structured setting. AAC operates facilities across the country. Call today to connect with one of our knowledgeable and compassionate admissions navigators, who can answer your questions, explain your treatment options, and help you get on the path to recovery.
