Outpatient Drug & Alcohol Rehabs in North Carolina

North Carolina has been affected by an epidemic of unintentional poisoning deaths since the late 1990s, and the number of fatalities has risen significantly since then. Most of these deaths resulted from drug overdoses arising from the abuse or misuse of either prescription or illicit drugs.¹

Opioid-related deaths involving drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone have increased significantly in North Carolina; opiates are involved in more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined. ¹

• Of the unintentional poisoning deaths in North Carolina, more than 92% were caused by prescription, illicit, and over-the-counter drugs and medications.¹
• In 2013-2014, 5% of adolescents ages 12-17 reported nonmedical use of painkillers.²
• Around 41% of high school students in grades 9 through 12 in North Carolina reported using marijuana at least once in their life in 2015.²
• From 2006-2013, an average of 64% of adolescents did not receive treatment for depression in the year prior to being surveyed.⁵
• In 2015, according to a single-day count, 51.1% of people enrolled in substance abuse treatment in North Carolina were in treatment for a drug problem only, 34.8% were in treatment for both drug and alcohol problems, and 14.1% were in treatment for an alcohol problem only.³

There is no one-size-fits-all cost of rehab; it can range greatly depending on a number of facets, such as the type of treatment (executive or luxury vs. standard inpatient), the length of stay (90-day vs. 30-day), the location (beach vs. countryside) and insurance policy. If you have insurance, your company will most likely provide at least partial treatment coverage. Make sure to contact your insurance company to learn more about your individual plan. Substance abuse treatment programs in North Carolina accept both federal military insurance, private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.⁴

As of 2015, there were a total of 440 substance abuse treatment facilities in North Carolina.⁴ The addiction treatment options available in North Carolina include outpatient, inpatient, residential and detox.⁴

The intensity of substance abuse treatment in North Carolina ranges from community-based outpatient therapy to inpatient detox. Depending on a person’s needs, there are many different addiction treatment options available.⁴

• Alcoholics Anonymous: Information about Alcoholics Anonymous in North Carolina. Lists meetings, events, and information for family members.
• Narcotics Anonymous: Information for North Carolina residents on the local Narcotics Anonymous chapters.
• Lee County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: Community resources
  for Lee County residents on behavioral and mental health and substance abuse treatment for adults and children.
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Information about substance abuse and mental health services. Also provides information about treatment centers.
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: Access to Recovery: Information about North Carolina’s voucher program for substance abuse services, including eligibility.

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 addiction treatment insurance providers:

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

1. North Carolina Injury & Violence Prevention Branch. (2016). Prescription & Drug Overdoses.
2. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Office of Adolescent Health. (2017). North Carolina Adolescent Substance Abuse Facts.
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2017). Behavioral Health Barometer: North Carolina, Volume 4.
4.  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2015). National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS): 2015 State Profile – North Carolina.
5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). Behavioral Health Barometer: North Carolina, 2014.

Blue Cross Blue Shield: North Carolina Insurance for Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

A substance use disorder (SUD) can bring about negative consequences, affecting all aspects of a person’s life including work, school, family, friends, and overall health.

Many individuals suffering from a substance use disorder are misusing opioids. In the state of North Carolina, opioid addiction is up 55%, according to BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).¹ Nationwide, opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis has increased 493%.¹

For those searching for help for a SUD such as alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina offers various prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies.¹

Drug and alcohol rehab coverage can include non-drug pain management therapies (e.g., physical therapy), medications, and substance abuse professionals and rehab facilities.¹

Does BCBS Cover Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment in NC?

Blue Cross Blue Shield is known throughout North Carolina as BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina. Policy holders will have access to various mental health and substance use services under their BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina health insurance plan.²  

Based on your needs and treatment plan, this may include inpatient or outpatient care, detox services, medications, counseling and/or telehealth options for behavioral health.²

Members can call BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina’s 24-hour phone line to discuss opioid usage and/or get help with addiction.³ You can also verify your health insurance benefits instantly or call