Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics in Summerville, South Carolina
According to the Dorchester Alcohol and Drug Commission, more individuals are not only building up a tolerance to fentanyl but actively seeking it out.1 What’s more, popular substances like marijuana are being laced with both fentanyl and amphetamines, causing an uptick in overdose incidents.2
Opioids aren’t the only substances being misused in Dorchester County. Here’s an overview of the county’s substance abuse rates:
Dorchester County ranks seventh in the state for the number of adults who binge drink at 17.06%. Another 7.05% are considered heavy drinkers.
The current rate of DUI car crashes involving alcohol is 115.66 per 100,000 people.
There are about 113.63 Naloxone administrations for every 100,000 people.
Opioid-related overdose deaths amount to 8.41 per every 100,000 people.
Opioid-related hospitalizations amount to 219.28 per every 100,000 people.
Between 2018 and 2019, cocaine-related hospitalizations rose by 1.99%, from 217.40 to 221.73 hospitalization for every 100,000 people.
In 2019, stimulants (such as methamphetamine) caused 217.43 hospitalizations for every 100,000 people.
Levels of Care for Substance Abuse
Compare available levels of substance addiction treatment to figure out the right one for you.
Professional Alcohol and Drug Detox
You receive withdrawal medications, medical care, and counseling to help you go through distressing withdrawal symptoms.
Residential Rehab
You receive 24/7 therapy, care, and supervision in a structured treatment environment, free from everyday stressors and triggers.
Day Treatment Programs
Day treatment, also known as partial hospitalization, includes several hours of treatment per day, for five to seven days per week.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
Intensive outpatient includes a few hours of therapy per day, for three to five days per week.
Standard Outpatient
Standard outpatient, which is often used as continuing care, involves receiving two to four hours of therapy per week.
Post-Rehab Support
Recovery is a lifelong journey—once you complete rehab, you’ll want to continue receiving support, such as individual therapy, support groups, or family therapy.
Paying for Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Summerville
Cost doesn’t have to be a barrier to quality drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Here are a few ways to get low-cost or free addiction treatment.
Private Insurance
You can pay for drug and alcohol rehab in South Carolina by using your private health insurance. Your plan will cover some or all of treatment, depending on the treatment setting and level of care.
South Carolina Medicaid: Healthy Blue of South Carolina
If you are a low-income resident of South Carolina, you are eligible for South Carolina Medicaid, also called Healthy Blue of South Carolina. You can use Medicaid to pay for drug and alcohol treatment.
South Carolina Medicare
If you are 65 or older or have end-stage renal disease, you are eligible for South Carolina Medicare, which covers addiction treatment services.
Sliding Scale Payment Options
Sliding scale rehab programs increase access to drug and alcohol treatment by offering a reduced price depending on a person’s income.
TRICARE in South Carolina
If you are a veteran or active-duty military personnel, you’re eligible for TRICARE, which you can use to pay for substance abuse treatment, such as outpatient and inpatient rehab.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
If you are an Indigenous person struggling with addiction, you can seek free treatment services at a rehab funded by the Indian Health Service.
Traveling to and Within Summerville, South Carolina
Whether you’re visiting someone working on their health at a drug or alcohol rehab in Summerville or are planning to get help there yourself, it’s a good idea to get to know the area better.
Here are some travel tips to get you started:
- The nearest airport is Charleston International Airport, which is about 16 miles from Summerville.
- There are plenty of hotels in and surrounding Summerville to suit all budgets and needs.
- The Lowcountry Rapid Transit System (LRTS) is a public bus system that connects Charleston and Summerville. Once in Summerville, there is the TriCounty Link, which serves two primary bus stops in the town.
- Uber, Lyft, and traditional taxi services are also widely available. There are several car rental agencies, including Hertz and Enterprise.
- Only certain areas of Summerville are walkable, such as the Downtown area. Depending on where you’re staying and what your plans are, you may need to arrange for transportation.
- Summerville’s top attractions include the Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site, Summerville Farmers Market, Azalea Park & Sculpture Garden, Summerville Antique Gallery, and the Summerville Museum and Research Center.
- Summerville is also known as the “birthplace of sweet tea,” which pairs nicely with the local cuisine—which is, of course, BBQ.
South Carolina Alcohol and Drug Laws
Here are some important South Carolina substance abuse laws::1
South Carolina Naloxone Access Law: Residents of South Carolina can buy naloxone from a pharmacy without a prescription.
South Carolina Good Samaritan Law: If you witness an overdose and call 911, you are granted limited immunity from arrest and prosecution for drug possession.
South Carolina Drug Court Program: Nonviolent offenders have the opportunity to attend drug and alcohol rehab instead of serving jail time.
Resources
- Bise, Matt. (2022, March 9). Dorchester, Berkeley Counties See Increase in Drug Overdose Deaths.
- Erickson, Joseph. (2022, October 20). Laced Marijuana Recovered During Drug-Overdose Investigations in Summerville.
- State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW). (2020). South Carolina County-Level Profiles on Substance Use-Related Indicators.
