170 Best Alcohol & Drug Rehabs in South Carolina 2024

Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, Mental Health, and Treatment in South Carolina

South Carolina Summary:

Residents of South Carolina deal with a number of alcohol and drug problems and mental health issues. Drunk driving is a serious issue in South Carolina, as the state has the highest rate of drunk driving fatalities in the nation. South Carolina also has high instances of binge drinking and a significant percentage of residents struggle with mental illness.

However, South Carolina has several rehab facilities that specialize in treating alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health problems like major depression, anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder. There are both payment-assisted rehab centers in major cities, as well as luxury facilities in picturesque locations like Hilton Head Island.

Quick South Carolina statistics:

• South Carolina state population: 5 million

• An estimated 6% of people in South Carolina age 12 and over are dependent on or abuse alcohol 

• Nearly 3% of South Carolina residents abuse illicit drugs

• Commonly abused drugs in South Carolina include alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine and opioids such as heroin and prescription drugs

Alcoholism in South Carolina

South Carolina has the highest rate of traffic fatalities involving drunk driving in the U.S. In 2013, 44% of traffic deaths were attributable to drunk driving. Some counties in South Carolina report higher instances of heavy or binge drinking that other parts of the state. In Charleston County, 23% of adults report engaging in binge drinking.

South Carolina has several facilities that specialize in treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse. Located in Orangeburg (south of Columbia), William McCord - Adolescent Treatment is a nonprofit rehab center that provides alcohol and drug treatment for young adults struggling with addiction. This long-running facility offers medically assisted detox and also has an intensive outpatient program, in which those with moderate to severe substance abuse problems participate in a structured program that meets three days a week to develop tools to live a substance-free lifestyle. William McCord also has a family program and offers both individual and group therapy.

For those in need of a payment-assisted option for rehab, the Ernest E. Kennedy Center is a nonprofit treatment facility in the small community of Moncks Corner (north of Charleston). The treatment center accepts Medicaid and has other low-cost treatment payment options. The Ernest E. Kennedy Center has an intensive outpatient program and also offers intervention services. Intervention services are designed to help family or friends of addicts stage a meeting in which loved ones attempt to get an addict into treatment.

Drug Abuse in South Carolina

One of the most frequently abused substances in South Carolina is marijuana, which is the most commonly cited drug among primary drug treatment admittances in the state. Methamphetamine use and prescription drug addiction are also major concerns in South Carolina.

In South Carolina, there are both luxury and payment-assisted rehab facilities that offer treatment for drug abuse and addiction. Sunspire Health - Hilton Head is a luxury facility that offers treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues. Sunspire Health specializes in opioid addiction treatment. Opioid addiction includes the abuse of illegal opiates like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like Vicodin and Percocet. The facility also offers 24-hour clinical care and has both an inpatient and outpatient program. Sunspire Health is situated in Hilton Head along the coast of Savannah and the facility’s accommodations provide ocean views in a beach-like atmosphere.

Palmetto Health - Addiction Recovery Center in Columbia is a payment-assisted facility that accepts both Medicaid and Medicare. The treatment center offers multiple types of therapy options for recovery, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Palmetto Health focus on the 12-step model for addiction treatment and also provides aftercare support. 

Mental Health in South Carolina

South Carolina has a high prevalence of mental illness. An estimated 17% of adult residents in the state struggle with a mental illness. South Carolina ranks low among states in the U.S. in regards to mental health care and access for both adults and youths.

The state of South Carolina has a handful of treatment centers for residents dealing with mental health issues or co-occurring substance abuse problems. In addition to treating addiction, Palmetto Health - Addiction Recovery Center in Columbia also offers mental health treatment and services. Palmetto Health has a combined mental health and substance abuse center and offers a variety of therapy modalities, including Creative Arts Therapy and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).

Located in Greer, the Carolina Center for Behavioral Health specializes in helping people who struggle with major depression, anxiety disorders and other mental health issues. The Carolina Center for Behavioral Health offers a psychiatric/dual diagnosis inpatient program, which provides 24-hour intensive nursing and medical management. This primarily short-term facility accepts Medicaid, Medicare, private health insurance and military insurance coverage. 

How long is inpatient drug rehab in South Carolina?

Drug rehab programs can vary depending on the facility and type of treatment. Typically, inpatient (or residential) rehabilitation programs are either 30, 60 or 90 days. There are also extended treatment centers that provide long-term care and recovery services.

Many inpatient drug rehab programs provide medically-assisted detox, which involves undergoing the detox process with the supervision of medical professionals. Medically-assisted detox is one treatment option for individuals who have developed a chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol.

Following detox, patients in rehab usually participate in some type of therapy or counseling. Many inpatient drug rehab programs implement the 12-step model for addiction recovery, which includes Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

After participants complete an inpatient drug rehab program, some individuals transition to a sober living home or engage in an outpatient treatment program, which might include aftercare support, job training or continued therapy as a way to prevent relapse. 

Does Medicaid cover drug rehab in South Carolina?

Medicaid is a government-run program that is required to offer health coverage for the basic conditions of drug and alcohol abuse and dependency treatment. South Carolina does have multiple rehabilitation programs that accept Medicaid and also offer other state-financed treatment payment options. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance providers like Medicaid are prohibited from providing less favorable coverage for substance abuse issues or mental health problems. 

To apply for Medicaid, South Carolina residents must meet certain requirements determined by the federal government. Medicaid recipients must either be a parent, pregnant, under the age of 19 or an adult living within a specified income bracket. Residents who earn less than 133% of the federal poverty level are eligible for Medicaid. 

South Carolina’s Medicaid program is called Healthy Connections. Through the Health Connections program, Medicaid patients can access drug and alcohol treatment services and enroll in a state-financed addiction rehabilitation center.

South Carolina: Looking Ahead 

South Carolina is actively working to combat the abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs in the state. While it’s still a major concern for law enforcement and state officials, drunk driving deaths have decreased nearly 28% since 2007. South Carolina’s is also improving its access to treatment and resources for mental illness. The state now ranks 37th in the U.S. for prevalence of adult and youth mental illness and access to care, compared to being ranked 45th in the U.S. in 2011.

Although it’s a relatively small state, South Carolina provides an array of treatment options for those struggling from alcoholism, drug addiction or mental health issues. In addition to payment-assisted facilities in major cities, there are also luxury facilities in serene, oceanside communities that allow residents to focus on recovery away from the noise and stress of daily life. For residents in need of a rehab center or treatment program, there are many resources in South Carolina available.