How to Find Detox in Georgia

Overdose deaths for 2018 numbered 1,404 in Georgia and the mortality rate was 13.2, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[1] To help reverse this trend, American Addiction Centers continues to focus on its mission to help people find treatment regardless of whether or not it is at one of our facilities.

This page is a comprehensive resource of information about addiction treatment in Georgia. We detail the different types of rehab in Georgia, how to pay for private rehab, how to find state-funded resources, and where to look for accreditation information.

Types of Rehab in Georgia

There are three different types of treatment for those seeking help with substance abuse: detox, inpatient care, and outpatient care.

People struggling with addiction are vulnerable to the dangers associated with withdrawal. Detox is often the first step before moving to longer-term treatment options.[2] Detox includes medical support and guidance for an individual who is in withdrawal so they can physically stabilize before engaging in long-term, therapy-based treatment.

Inpatient care involves a residential setting where patients receive around-the-clock care. Outpatient care is for those who have already completed inpatient care or for people who may not be able to take time away from work obligations or family responsibilities.

The table below showcases the number of rehab facilities in Georgia that offer each level of care:

Type of Care, by number and percent
	Facilities
	No.	%
Outpatient	285	85.84%
Regular	254	76.51%
Intensive	122	36.75%
Day Treatment/Partial Hospitalization	62	18.67%
Detoxification	55	16.57%
Methadone/buprenorphine maintenance or naltrexone treatment	91	27.41%
Residential (non-hospital)	65	19.58%
Short Term	26	7.83%
Long Term	54	16.27%
Detoxification	16	4.82%
Hospital Inpatient	25	7.53%
Treatment	21	6.33%
Detoxification	25	7.53%
Total	332	100.00%

The majority of care facilities in Georgia (86 percent) are outpatient. Among outpatient facilities, the majority are regular (77 percent), followed by intensive (37 percent) and methadone/buprenorphine (27 percent). Residential facilities outside of a hospital represent 20 percent of facilities; 16 percent are long-term, while 8 percent are short-term, which gives people almost equal options about where is best for them to stay.

Cost of Rehab in Georgia

The expense of paying for individual treatment can be daunting for people seeking enrollment in an addiction treatment program, especially for those who do not have health insurance coverage. Most people in Georgia attending treatment either use private or state insurance plans.

Addiction treatment can be costly. Projections anticipate that healthcare costs will rise to $6 trillion by 2027.[3] In 2019, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities recently received a $10.3 million federal grant to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction and overdoses. In 2018, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration gave Georgia $10.4 million for treatment, prevention, and recovery services.[4]

How much treatment costs depends on several factors: the type of care required, whether it is inpatient or outpatient, the type of facility, the amenities, and more. Costs also depend on the type of treatment centers you choose, either state-funded or privately-funded.

Private & State-Funded Rehab in Georgia

Private treatment is the best option for people with private insurance coverage through an employer. Those with independent financial security may also choose private treatment as well.

Among the two options, private treatment is ideal considering the challenges that often arise seeking government-run addiction treatment programs.

The following table breaks down the number of facilities in Georgia by whether they are private non-profit, private for-profit, locally funded, state-funded, or federally funded.

Facility Operation, by number and percent
	Facilities
	No.	%
Private Non-Profit	89	26.81%
Private for Profit	177	53.31%
Local, county, or community government	17	5.12%
State government	41	12.35%
Federal Government	8	2.41%
Tribal Government	0	0.00%
Total	332	100.00%

Less than half (27 percent) of the number of treatment centers in Georgia are private non-profit while more than half (53 percent) are private for-profit, so while there are more private facilities, there are still adequate options for those seeking treatment in the state of Georgia.

Ways to Pay for Rehab in Georgia

While 188 of the total 332 treatment facilities in Georgia accept private insurance, 298 also accept cash or self-payment. At least 133 of the 332 accept state-financed health insurance and 121 accept federal military insurance plans.

About 14 percent of people in Georgia are without health insurance.[5] While not having a private insurance plan might limit your options, always remember that there are several treatment facilities that will serve your needs regardless.

The table below breaks down the typical payment methods used and how many facilities in Georgia accept each payment type.

Facility Payment Options, by Number and percent
	No.	%
Cash or self-payment	298	89.76%
Private Health Insurance	188	56.63%
Medicare	114	34.34%
Medicaid	182	54.82%
State-financed Health insurance	133	40.06%
Federal military insurance	121	36.45%
No payment accepted (free treatment for all clients)	13	3.92%
IHS/Tribal/Union (ITU) funds	6	1.81%
Other payments	4	1.20%
Sliding fee scale	162	48.80%
Treatment at no charge or minimal payment for clients who can’t pay	128	38.55%
Total	332	100.00%

Treatment is possible in Georgia for those with the least resources. Cash represents the majority (90 percent) of payment options in Georgia followed by private health insurance (57 percent) and Medicaid (55 percent). For clients who struggle with their finances, half of the facilities (49 percent) accept patients on a sliding fee scale, and 39 percent provide treatment at no charge or for minimal payment.

Treatment Center Accreditations in Georgia

Now that you understand the types of care available, the differences in facility types, and how to pay for treatment, the last thing you’ll want to consider about a facility is its accreditation.

Georgia has many different levels of certification as offered through the Alcohol Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia, which offers certification to Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors and to supervisors in alcohol and drug counseling and is based on the standards and methods offered by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, a multi-state and federal body organized to promote uniform professional standards and quality for the substance abuse counseling profession.[6]

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accredits operators worldwide at the request of health and human service providers and can be a good reference point when looking for accredited drug and alcohol treatment facilities. The Joint Commission Accreditation for Addiction Treatment Providers (often referred to simply as the Joint Commission) also provides accreditation to service providers.[7]

Below is a table outlining the typical types of accreditations or licenses so you can understand what number of facilities have these and how common they are.

Facility Licensing, Certification, or Accreditation, by number and percent
	No.	%
Any listed agency/organization	307	92.47%
State substance abuse agency	225	67.77%
State mental health department	130	39.16%
State department of health	146	43.98%
Hospital licensing authority	19	5.72%
The Joint Commission	73	21.99%
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)	186	56.02%
National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)	13	3.92%
Council on Accreditation (COA)	22	6.63%
Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP)	14	4.22%
Other national organization or federal, state or local agency	13	3.92%
Total	332	100.00%

The good news is that there are a number of reputable providers with accreditations serving the state of Georgia. Almost all agencies (92 percent) have some kind of accreditation while almost three-fourth (68 percent) of all agencies are accredited state substance abuse agencies. You can rest assured there are many reputable options available no matter your individual circumstance.

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