Expert Insights
A recent news story revealed some frightening and infuriating facts about a sober living residence in Montana, specifically that the sober living staff used its clients for free labor. Unsuspecting people are often faced with the choice of either going to jail for drug-related crimes or going into one of these programs. Unfortunately, by the time it was all said and done, jail might have been a better option. There are a myriad of unlicensed and unregulated sober living residences currently operating in Montana. These facilities offer housing and support to people who truly should be in medically-supervised rehabs, but there is no state oversight for any services provided by sober living residences. Believe it or not, sober living homes in Montana aren’t even required to hire licensed addiction counselors, licensed social workers, or credentialed psychologists. This must change and states like Montana must step in and impose regulations.
~ Peg O’Connor
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in Montana?
Montana is ranked 47th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $62,530 (without insurance).
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $154,159
- Long-term inpatient drug rehab in Montana costs an average of $55,179
- Outpatient addiction treatment in Montana costs an average of $9,169
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $8,146
Depending on the circumstances, the cost of drug and alcohol rehab in Montana can vary greatly from person to person. Influencing factors include:
Inpatient vs. outpatient rehab
Location of the facility or detox center
Acceptance of insurance plans
Amenities and features (luxury vs. standard)
Duration of stay
Paying for Addiction Treatment in Montana: How to Pay
Private Pay + Insurance
You have options to pay for treatment in Montana, with many of them accepting health insurance and some will even allow you to self pay. Each insurance is different in what specific type of rehab that it covers. It’s important to talk with your insurance provider to understand in and out of network benefits and coverage.
Here are some of the following major private insurance carriers in Vermont:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana
- Mountain Health Co-op
- United Healthcare
Medicaid and Medicare
Medicaid covers a variety of different addiction treatment options in the state of Montana. It can be used on addiction treatment services like detox and drug rehab. With Medicaid and Medicare, you might be responsible for a copay. Montana has the HEART Initiative that funds alcohol and drug programs up to 25-million dollars a year through Medicare and Medicaid. This funding can also help with other programs such as reentry services for justice-involved persons and community support services.
Military Insurance
If you are a Veteran, or have military insurance such as TRICARE, substance use treatment can be covered. TRICARE covers a variety of services such as inpatient care, Medication assisted treatment, outpatient services, partial hospitalization programs, and residential care. Montana also features the Veterans Treatment Court in Missoula County. This provides funding for justice involved veterans with a substance use history to be involved in a year-long outpatient program that includes peer mentorships, counseling, and drug testing.
Tribal Funding/Programs
The purpose of the Tribal Opioid Response Grant is to help address the rise in opioid use within Tribal communities. This has helped with the lack of access to treatment and has increased access to culturally appropriate and evidence-based treatment. In Montana, the Office of Indian Affairs and the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council can provide funding for easier access to care and can help provide more affordable substance use treatment options for Native Americans.
Other Low-Cost Options
Each rehab is different and other low-cost options can vary between each one. Some programs may offer financial aid such as scholarships to help pay for treatment. Others may offer a sliding payment scale based on income. It is important to talk with your provider to see what options they offer when it comes to paying for or accessing treatment.
Are There Free Rehab Centers in Montana?
If you are among the millions of Americans without health insurance and you need alcohol or drug rehab in Montana, don’t worry. There are multiple agencies in the state and across the country prepared to help people in your situation.
As of 2024, there were over 140 drug rehab facilities across the state of Montana. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those treatment facilities, the following numbers reflect how many rehab centers offer free or low-cost treatment options:
In the state of Montana during the years 2021 and 2022, nearly 155,000 residents aged 12 and older admitted to having a substance use disorder, but did not receive treatment. This is an alarming number due to the fact that in 2021, 114 people died from opioid overdoses. The state of Montana has one of the highest costs for drug rehab. This can create a greater need for free, or at least affordable drug treatment for their residents.
Montana has rehab facilities that use state or federally-awarded grant money to help uninsured or individuals with a low socio-economic status pay for substance use treatment. They also have additional services that help you get connected to the right recovery program.
Montana has a few non-profit addiction resources, like the Montana’s Peer Network and Montana Alliance of Prevention, that are free and can point you in the right direction regarding treatment. This state also has the Angel Initiative. This is a government funded program that expands treatment to clients to receive assistance and referrals to treatment centers through the local police department.
Crystal Creek Lodge Treatment Center – Browning, MT
This program is funded by the tribal government of the Blackfeet Indians. You’ll be provided with various options for care such as inpatient treatment, outpatient services, and aftercare support. This program has a 12 Step focused approach. If needed, you can also engage in family therapy and couples counseling. They look at you as a whole person and their treatment methods coincide with that.
Helen Valley Addiction Services – Helena, MT
This program is for adults and provides outpatient treatments for those recovering from a substance use disorder. They have speciality programming if you are a criminal justice involved individual. If you are in need of co-occurring services, they can also provide that. They offer specific treatment modalities such as moral reconation therapy.
Cedar Creek Integrated Health – Missoula, MT
This is an outpatient facility that helps with mental health and substance use treatment for youth and adults. They offer culturally-responsive programming for all people. You have the opportunity to engage in counseling and recovery education. They also offer community outreach opportunities. If you’re in a crisis and need intervention, this could be the program for you.
Coleman Community Services PLLC – Helena, MT
This program is for adults, teens, and justice-involved individuals. They offer treatment for both mental health and substance use disorders. You have the option to engage in Assertive Community Treatment and outpatient therapy. Once you complete treatment, you’ll have an aftercare plan and additional support if needed. Additional services can include anger management, self-care, and relapse prevention.
Community Medical Services – Bozeman, MT
This program offers same-day services in an outpatient setting. You have many options to choose from such as medication assisted treatment, counseling, pregnancy support, and correctional health services. You’ll be met with a judgment free environment and will be treated with respect and dignity. You will have access to your own medical team that will help you appropriately address your needs.
Montana Drug Use Statistics
According to state and federal surveys:1,2,3
Drug deaths rose 7.25% between 2018 and 2021, to a rate of 223.5 deaths per 100,000 being due to an overdose.
Alcohol-related deaths rose 65% at the same time, to a rate of 62.5 per 100,000 deaths.
The number of children born exposed to drugs in-utero tripled between 2010 and 2016
In 2018, an estimated 71,000 Montanans had a substance use disorder (SUD) and weren’t seeking help, and approximately 76,000 received treatment.
Drug Laws in Montana
Naloxone Distribution Law
In 2017, the Montana legislature passed the Help Save Lives from Overdose Act. This increases the access to naloxone, which can be used to reverse an opioid overdose. This law required the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to issue a statewide standing order for pharmacists to voluntarily dispense naloxone prescriptions.
Marijuana Laws – Montana
Marijuana has become legalized in the state of Montana. The state law allows for the possession, production, and sale of cannabis by any adult who is 21 years old and older. There are no restrictions on the use of medical marijuana due to the law changing in 2016.
Drug Testing Laws
In the state of Montana, drug testing is only authorized for employees with the following jobs: hazardous workplaces, intrastate driving, fiduciary responsibility, and public safety or security. Random drug testing is allowed as long as the employer has a clearly-defined workplace policy and employees are notified of the policy at least 60 days in advance.
Minnesota DWI Laws
If your blood alcohol content is 0.08% or more, you’ll be charged with a DUI. If you are a commercial driver, your blood alcohol content limit is 0.04%. Montana also recognizes that if you have a THC level of 5mg/nl in your blood, you are considered legally intoxicated.
Resources
- Montana Substance Use Disorder Task Force Strategic Plan 2. (n.d.). Montana DPHHS.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- Center for Disease Control. (2022). CDC Wonder.
- Montana State Legislature. (2020, June). Draft Final Report on the HJR 32 Study: Prenatal Drug Use.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). MONTANA – National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 2017-2018 State.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Treatment Locator Map.
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); (2006). Chapter 3. Intensive Outpatient Treatment and the Continuum of Care.
- U.S. Department of Labor. (2022). FMLA: General Guidance.
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. (2022). Naloxone.
- Montana Legislation. (2022). Good Samaritan Protections.
- American Addiction Centers. (2019 May 7). Medicaid rehab coverage near you: Does medicaid cover drug & alcohol rehab? https://americanaddictioncenters.org/insurance-coverage/using-medicaid-to-pay-for-rehab
- Drug Rehabs. (2024). Montana drug and statistics resources. https://www.drugrehabs.com/montana/
- FindLaw. (2016 April 1). Montana marijuana laws. https://www.findlaw.com/state/montana-law/montana-marijuana-laws.html
- FindLaw. (2016 April 12). What are the Montana DUI laws? https://www.findlaw.com/state/montana-law/what-are-the-montana-dui-laws.html
- Health Street. (2021 December 22). Montana drug testing compliance. https://www.health-street.net/state-laws/montana-drug-testing-compliance/
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. (2019 May). Montana implementation guide for access to naloxone opioid antagonists. https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/publichealth/EMSTS/opioids/MontanaImplementationGuideforIncreasedNaloxoneUpdatedMay2019.pdf
- Rehabs. (2024). Top 21 alcohol & drug rehab centers in Montana & free treatment resources. https://rehabs.org/centers/montana/