240 Best Alcohol & Drug Rehabs in Iowa 2024

Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, Mental Health, and Treatment in Iowa

Iowa Summary:

Compared to other states, the number of people dealing with drug addiction in Iowa is relatively low. However, prescription drug abuse is on the rise and Iowa has higher instances of binge drinking than the national average. Surprisingly, the state’s attempts to combat prescription drug abuse has in some ways contributed to an increase in heroin use. Methamphetamine and marijuana use is also a concern across many parts of Iowa.

Despite its small size, Iowa provides an array of treatment options for residents struggling with drug addiction, alcoholism and co-occurring mental health issues. The state offers both luxury and payment-assisted rehab centers, with some leading facilities providing treatment for out-of-state patients from across the Midwest.

Quick Iowa statistics:

• Iowa state population: 3 million

• 50% of Iowans age 18-25 report binge drinking in the past 30 days

• Iowa has the 2nd lowest rate of illicit drug use in the U.S.

• The most commonly abused substances in Iowa are alcohol, marijuana and methamphetamines

• Other residents seek addiction treatment for include cocaine, heroin and prescription drugs

Alcoholism in Iowa

Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in Iowa. The state’s binge drinking rate is higher than average, with an estimated 28% of residents over the age of 12 reporting binge drinking in the past month. Roughly one-quarter to one-third of traffic fatalities in Iowa involve a driver who was under the influence of alcohol.

In Iowa, there are a number of facilities that provide treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse. Located in Davenport, Rosecrance - New Life Outpatient Center has both a traditional outpatient program and an intensive outpatient program, for those who need a structured treatment option but also wish to live at home due to work or school responsibilities. Rosecrance provides research-based education programs such as PRIME For Life, which is an alcohol and drug treatment program designed to challenge common beliefs and attitudes that contribute to high-risk alcohol and drug use. The center accepts adults, young adults and teenagers and also has LGBT Outstanding programs for those struggling with alcoholism and addiction. 

For those in need of a payment-assisted facility, Jackson Recovery Centers - Women and Children in Sioux City accepts Medicaid and state-financed treatment payment options in addition to private health insurance. Jackson Recovery Centers focuses on women and children who are struggling or affected by alcoholism, drug abuse and mental health issues. The facility offers both an inpatient and outpatient program and also has a 12-step program, a family program and provides aftercare support, including a sober living home option for those transitioning out of rehab.

Drug Abuse in Iowa

In Iowa, prescription drug abuse and heroin addiction is a growing problem. Overdose deaths from heroin and prescription drugs are at an all-time high; however, Iowa has the second lowest rate of illicit drug use and the 13th lowest rate of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. Additionally, Iowa has the 11th highest rate of residents seeking treatment for methamphetamine use in the country. 

Treatment options for drug abuse and addiction include both luxury facilities and payment-assisted rehab centers. The Abbey Addiction Treatment Center in Bettendorf is a luxury rehab facility known as a leader in the Quad Cities metropolitan area for treating drug addiction, the abuse of prescription medications and alcoholism. Patients from Chicago, Des Moines and across the Midwest come to The Abbey for top-quality addiction treatment with a holistic approach. In addition to holistic therapy methods, The Abbey also offers medically assisted detox, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing, a goal-oriented approach to therapy that helps people with substance abuse issues change their behavior in positive ways. The Abbey provides luxury accommodations and seeks to offer an affordable option for treatment and recovery from addiction.  

Located in Cedar Rapids, Mercy Medical Center - Sedlacek Treatment is a nonprofit rehab facility that specializes in treating addiction and substance abuse, including opiate addiction. Opiate addiction includes the abuse of prescription drugs like oxycodone, as well as addiction to illicit drugs like heroin. The Sedlacek Treatment center is open to adults, teenagers and children and offers a weekly family support group for family members of patients who have been affected by addiction and substance abuse. The facility accepts Medicaid, Medicare, military health insurance coverage and private health insurance plans. 

Mental Health in Iowa

According to data from 2009-2013, almost 5% of adults in Iowa reported suffering from a serious mental illness in the past year. In the state, nearly half of adults dealing with any type of mental illness received some type of treatment or counseling, which was higher than the national average. Over the past two decades, Iowa’s suicide rate has risen, with the highest rates among men and whites.

Iowa has a select number of facilities that specialize in treating mental health issues and co-occurring substance abuse problems. First Resources is a treatment center in Ottumwa (southeast of Des Moines) that focuses on helping patients overcome mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. First Resources provides an array of therapy options for patients, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), group therapy, couples treatment and Eating Disorder Treatment for those suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or dysfunctional eating patterns. 

One payment-assisted option for mental health treatment in Iowa is Unity Point Health - Saint Luke's Hospital, located in Cedar Rapids. Unity Point Health is a combined mental health and substance abuse treatment center open to men, women, young adults and children. The facility accepts Medicare and Medicaid and has other state-financed treatment payment options. Unity Point offers multiple behavioral and mental health services, including family and individual counseling and inpatient care. The treatment center has a program specifically designed for the treatment of eating disorders for both adults and young adults.

Are there any free drug rehab centers in Iowa?

In the state of Iowa, there are drug rehab facilities that offer either state-financed or low-cost treatment options. The Zion Recovery Services network is an Iowa Department of Public Health licensed substance abuse program, serving residents in six communities across southwest Iowa. Zion Recovery Services offers both inpatient and outpatient programs, counseling and has sober living facilities for addicts making the transition out of rehab. Zion accepts Medicaid and has other state-financed treatment payment options.

In addition to drug rehab centers that accept Medicaid, The Salvation Army offers a long-term Adult Rehabilitation Program in Des Moines. The rehab center is open to men struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and accepts participants regardless of financial need. Those who enroll in The Salvation Army’s rehab program partake in work therapy, counseling and spiritual engagement to get back on their feet following addiction and substance abuse. The facility also offers an anger management program, job training and relapse prevention classes. 

In Iowa, residents without health insurance who are seeking help for addiction can also apply for SAMHSA grants, or research facilities in their local area that offer a sliding-scale program or have other low-cost treatment payment options.

Does Medicaid cover drug rehab in Iowa?

There are several drug rehab facilities in the state of Iowa that accept both Medicaid and Medicare. Nearly all residents who are eligible for Iowa Medicaid are automatically eligible for mental health and substance abuse treatment. In 2016, most Iowa Medicaid programs were combined into one managed care program called IA Health Link. This new program joins together physical, behavioral and long-term care under one comprehensive health program. 

According to the Iowa Department of Human Services, a wide range of mental health and substance abuse services are covered under the new state-funded health coverage system. In order to find out which facilities in your local area accept Medicaid, residents can contact their chosen Managed Care Organization (MCO) they selected when signing up for Medicaid. To verify your eligibility status, residents can contact Iowa Medicaid Member Services at 1-800-338-8366 or 1-515-256-4606. 

Iowa: Looking Ahead 

Iowa is making a concerted effort to cut down on binge drinking, drunk driving, opiate abuse and the prevalence of methamphetamine labs. Meth labs in the state have significantly decreased in the past decade. Iowa is also seeing an increase in prescription drug monitoring program utilization rates. While Iowa consistently ranks in the bottom five of all states for mental health programs, lawmakers are currently trying to boost funding and improve access for mental health services. 

Despite its small size, there are many options in Iowa for drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation. Quite a few state-funded rehab facilities provide inpatient and outpatient recovery programs for low-income residents, and there are also a handful of luxury treatment centers in the state. Outside of bigger cities like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa residents do have the ability to seek treatment for drug addiction, alcoholism or mental health problems in their local community. For those struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues, help is ready and waiting.