Expert Insights
Looking at the assembly candidates for Anchorage, I felt a sense of hope when I came across Jim Arlington’s point of view on addiction and homelessness — a major problem for us residents. I too am a fan of the housing first model, which allows houseless people to find shelter before tackling their problems, like drug use. It’s only once a person’s basic needs are met —like shelter, food, and safety — can a person truly address mental health and addiction treatment. These kinds of programs support people getting the help they need, and then the skills and training they need to support themselves, like job skills training and long-term housing. Insisting people get sober first will never work, because it is hard to maintain sobriety among people using drugs and when you are barely surviving. I hope Jim gets a chance to fund more housing first programs.
~ Olivia Pennelle
How Expensive is Drug Rehab in Anchorage?
The cost of drug and alcohol rehab in Anchorage varies depending on the type and setting of treatment. A 2015 report showed you may pay an average of $2,053 for an emergency department visit from drug and alcohol use. However, you may spend about $22,886 to $27,413 for inpatient services.2
Are There Low-Cost and Free Drug Rehab Centers in Anchorage?
Alaska Medicaid provides state-funded care through Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CBHCs) in Anchorage, Alaska. You may be eligible at a CBHC if you are using drugs and alcohol in an unhealthy way and experience symptoms indicating that you may continue using drugs and alcohol even if you experience problems.
You can find low-cost and free accredited drug rehabs in Anchorage, such as Medicaid, by contacting healthcare.gov. Non-profit and faith-based organizations provide additional options for low-cost and free drug and alcohol rehab in Anchorage.
Do Medicare and Medicaid Cover Rehab Center Costs?
Yes, Medicare and Medicaid cover at least part of the cost of your care. Alaska Medicaid is part of the Alaska Medical Assistance. You may receive reimbursement from Alaska Medicaid to pay for the following services:3
Transportation and accommodation for non-emergent medically necessary treatment
Substance abuse intake assessment
Integrated mental health and substance use intake assessment
Comprehensive community support services for adults
Peer support services
Detoxification services
Residential substance use treatment services
Screening and brief interventions services
Telemedicine
Short-term crisis services
You can receive services from a CBHC center in Anchorage, Alaska, by visiting the Alaska Behavioral Health website or calling them to schedule an appointment. Your provider can also refer you to a CBHC center.
Medicare provides federal funding for people over 65 or younger with disability. You will receive Medicare coverage for the following if the services are deemed necessary and reasonable:
- Referrals
- Screening
- Brief interventions
- Partial hospitalization
- Inpatient
- Outpatient
How Does Anchorage Compare in Alcohol and Drug Use?
Like in so many other places across the United States, drug overdoses in Anchorage, Alaska, are an ongoing public health concern. According to the Alaska Department of Health, deaths by overdose have been increasing each year since 2018.1 If you or someone you love is seeking help for their battle with addiction, there are more than 35 accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in Anchorage and the surrounding area that can help put you on the path to recovery.2
Anchorage, Alaska, drug and alcohol use statistics from a 2018-2020 national survey showed that among adults 18 years and older:1
About 18% reported using illicit drugs in the past month
Approximately 16% reported marijuana use in the past month
Close to 4% reported illicit drug use in the past month
About 2% reported cocaine use in the past year
Less than 1% reported methamphetamine use in the past year
Over 4% reported misuse of prescription painkillers in the past year
Nearly 56% reported alcohol use in the past month
About 25% reported binge alcohol use in the past month
Close to 1% of people 26 years or older in Anchorage, Alaska, reported heroin use within the last year.1
Drug and Alcohol Laws in Anchorage
There are several laws in Anchorage that improve access to rehabilitation:
Therapeutic Courts: The Alaska Court System has a therapeutic court where people with drug and alcohol use misdemeanors can choose a treatment program instead of incarceration. The therapeutic court is not a “get out of jail free” card. A court team consisting of a probation officer, substance abuse provider, supervising judge, and lawyer will closely supervise you if you choose the therapeutic court.12
Insurance (Court): The cost of drug and alcohol rehab doesn’t have to be a barrier. Under the Uniform Alcoholism and Intoxication Treatment Act, welfare, social services, and institutions in Alaska are required to encourage all insurance providers to cover drug and alcohol abuse as an illness.12 You can expect your insurance provider to cover at least some of your costs.
Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention (Hanson): Alaska’s Good Samaritan Overdose prevention law is a nationwide standing order for naloxone. Anyone in Alaska can legally buy naloxone without a prescription.13 You can obtain naloxone without a prescription for yourself and loved ones in case they experience an overdose.
Alcohol Safety Action Program: People in Anchorage, Alaska, with drug and alcohol-related charges can receive screening and case management services as part of the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP). This program increases access to treatment, helps with court appearances, and aids probation compliance. You can go to the Anchorage ASAP office in person to enroll without a prior appointment.
Resources
- Health, A. D. of. (n.d.-a). 2021 drug overdose mortality update.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). 2018-2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Substate Age Group Tables.
- Walker, B., Davidson, V., & Butler, J. C. (2017). Health facilities data reporting program 2015 annual report.
- State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. (2019). Alaska Medical Assistance Provider Billing Manuals. Conduent Business Services.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2021). Mental Health and Substance Use Insurance Help.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health [Internet]. US Department of Health and Human Services.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2009). Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women [Internet]. Rockville (MD): (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 51.) 4 Screening and Assessment.
- Smart Recovery. (2022). Our Approach: Key Areas of Awareness and Change.
- Findtreatment.gov.(n.d.). Searching for treatment options.
- Andakra-Christou, B., Randall-Kosich, O., & Totaram, R. (2021). Designing an “Ideal” Substance Use Disorder Treatment Center: Perspectives of People Who Have Utilized Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. Qualitative Health Research, 31(3), 512-522.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Approved Accreditation Bodies.
- Patel, P., Sharma, S. (2021). Credentialing.
- Alaska Court System. (n.d.). Therapeutic Court.
- Hanson, B. L., Porter, R. R., Zöld, A. L., & Terhorst-Miller, H. (2020). Preventing opioid overdose with peer-administered naloxone: Findings from a rural state. Harm Reduction Journal, 17(1), 4.
