Outpatient Drug & Alcohol Rehabs in California

Studies have shown that California teens and adults have higher rates of illicit drug use compared to national averages. The state has taken steps to prevent drug abuse and expand access to drug and alcohol treatment in California, including the following laws:

• California Tobacco Control Program in 1989: Rates of cigarette smoking decreased by 51% from 1988 to 2014, and the state now has the second-lowest adult smoking prevalence rate in the country.⁶
• California recently state a law to curb opioid overprescribing and broadened reimbursement for treatment services for Medicaid recipients.
• California legalized marijuana for personal use in 2016.⁷ It remains to be seen if this will affect rates of use in CA.
• California passed Senate Bill 482, which went into effect in 2017. The law requires doctors to check a database of a patient’s prescription history before prescribing opioids.⁹
• In 2015, California expanded substance abuse treatment services to people on Medi-Cal, including inpatient care, case management, recovery services, and added medication.¹⁰

There are 1,004 outpatient programs in California, 521 residential programs, and 30 hospital inpatient programs. Opioid treatment programs are offered at 142 facilities in California.⁴

• California teens have low rates of cigarette smoking. 72% of high school students in the state report never trying cigarettes, compared to 68% nationwide.³
• Teens also have lower rates of alcohol use than U.S. averages. 15% report binge drinking in the past month compared to 18% nationwide, and 29% report having at least 1 drink on at least 1 day during the past month, compared to 33% nationwide.³
• Rates of past-year alcohol dependence and abuse and illicit drug dependence and abuse among Californians age 12 and older have consistently been above national averages since 2010-2011. However, these rates have declined over the past few years.⁵
• About 4,500 Californians died from drug overdose in 2014, up by 1,500, or 50%, from 2002. More than twice as many Californians die of drug overdoses than are murdered.²
• Stimulants, marijuana and heroin were the most commonly cited reasons for drug treatment admissions in the state from 1992-2012.⁸
• The number of people receiving methadone in the state increased from 29,874 in 2009 to 30,872 in 2013. The number of people receiving buprenorphine increased from 1,392 in 2009 to 2,154 in 2013.¹

As you’re looking for an alcohol or drug rehab program in California, you also need to consider how to cover the cost of rehab. There are a number of factors that will influence the cost of rehab, including:

• Location.
• Length of stay.
• Type of treatment (inpatient, outpatient, hospital-based, etc.).
• Amenities offered.

85% accept cash or self-payment, 51% accept private health insurance, 19% accept Medicare, 29% accept Medicaid, and 63% offer a sliding scale fee.⁴

In general, inpatient programs cost more than outpatient programs because they provide around-the-clock care. However, a high price tag doesn’t guarantee high quality and it’s important to spend time researching and inpatient or outpatient treatment facility in California before making a decision.

If you find a drug or alcohol rehab program in California that is out of your financial reach, you can ask if the program offers grants, scholarships, payment plans, or a sliding scale. Many treatment facilities take insurance as well, so be sure to check your insurance for substance abuse treatment coverage.

Don’t wait until your substance abuse or addiction spirals out of control to get the help you need. The sooner you seek help, the better. The consequences of continued alcohol or drug abuse can lead to overdose, incarceration, financial problems, violence, or challenges in personal relationships.

When you enter drug or alcohol treatment in California, you will first be given a physical exam and your doctor will create a treatment plan for you. Depending on your situation, your treatment might start with detox, followed by a period of inpatient or outpatient treatment. You may choose a 28- or 30- day, 60-day or 90-day program. If your addiction is more severe, it may be recommended that you stay in treatment for a longer period of time so that you have enough time to stabilize and focus on your recovery.

During the first days or weeks of rehab, you might experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, headaches, nausea, or trouble sleeping. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can be safely managed through a combination of medication and therapy, if the drug or alcohol rehab program offers those services.

• Licensed residential facilities and/or certified alcohol and drug programs: A list of programs by county with contact information and services, provided by the California Department of Health Care Services.
• Medi-Cal: Information on Medi-Cal, a public health insurance program for low-income individuals and families.
• California Youth Crisis Line: Resources and a 24/7 hotline for youth and families in crisis.

You can contact American Addiction Centers (AAC) for free at for help finding the treatment you need. There are also free alcohol abuse and drug addiction hotline numbers you can call.

Insurance Providers

Learn more about some addiction treatment insurance providers:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Cigna
• Aetna
• Ambetter
• Kaiser Permanente
• Humana
• UnitedHealthcare

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Behavioral Health Barometer: California, 2014.
2. Reese, P. (2016). Two maps that illustrate California’s growing opioid epidemic. Sacramento Bee.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health. (2017). California Adolescent Substance Abuse Facts.
4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2015). National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS): 2015 State Profile – California.
5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Behavioral Health Barometer: California, 2015.
6. Tobacco Free CA. 2016 California Tobacco Facts and Figures.
7. Ballotpedia. California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization (2016).
8. Office of National Drug Control Policy. California Drug Control Update.
9. Seipel, T. (2016). New California law aims to curb doctor shopping by opioid addicts. The Mercury News.
10. Gorman, A. (2015). California Expands Substance Abuse Treatment for Low-Income Residents. NPR.

Blue Cross Blue Shield: California Health Insurance for Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

Drug and alcohol addiction is an escalating crisis in the United States, and the state of California is no exception. If you are looking for an addiction treatment program in California, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) health insurance can help pay for the cost of drug and alcohol rehab.

Your addiction treatment program can involve various types of services, including medical detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient care, and behavioral therapy/counseling sessions. Your treatment plan will be catered to your exact needs upon initial intake and assessment.

Does BCBS Cover Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment in CA?

Depending on where you live in California you may have either an Anthem Blue Cross or Blue Shield of California health insurance plan. Both plans include mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse services in California.¹ However, the best way to find out your exact coverage level is to verify your benefits. You can do this by:

• Verifying your health insurance benefits instantly.
• Calling and speaking with a representative at Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Calling and speaking with one of our admissions navigators at

Most BCBS health plans include inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment services; however, a preauthorization is required in many cases. It is recommended that members use a participating provider to help avoid a higher cost of service.¹