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Drug Rehab in Georgia: 7 Best Addiction Treatment Centers in GA

Last Updated: March 16, 2024

Authored by Dr. Ahmed Zayed

Reviewed by Michael Espelin APRN

The first step in the recovery process is recognizing addiction. The next is getting help. While this step sounds simple to do, it is easier said than done for most people suffering from addiction. The idea of admitting there is a problem to others is daunting, and locating the right drug rehab in Georgia can be a struggle.

There are over 100 drug and alcohol rehabs in Georgia, so sifting through them is no small feat. This can be problematic as quality care that is a good fit for the patient is key to the success of the process. To make the search easier and start patients on the road to success, we have selected the top seven best rehabilitation centers in Georgia.

Top 7 Georgia Drug Rehab Facilities

There are plenty of top rehab experiences in Georgia, which makes it hard to narrow things down to just five rehab centers. However, that is exactly what we have done. Below are our top seven choices for addiction treatment rehabs in Georgia.

Mt Sinai Wellness Center, Dahlonega, GA

Mt. Sinai Wellness Center is perhaps the best-known drug rehab center in the state of Georgia. In addition to having worked with high-profile individuals, it has garnered attention due to its incredible amenities and the results it delivers. The staff combines psychological interventions, pharmaceuticals, and holistic approaches such as horse therapy and yoga. The overarching goal is to have the residents return home with a commitment to an overall healthier lifestyle in place.

The campus of MSWC is located on a property totaling 40 acres. The scenic location gives residents access to stunning views and the opportunities to get out and be in nature—both aiding the healing process. Treatments available at the facility comprise drug and alcohol rehabilitation, dual diagnosis treatment, and pain management. Because family therapy is a focus, the patient will not be isolated during their stay, and the campus makes it easy to facilitate family togetherness.

Patients at Mt. Sinai Wellness Center can pay for treatment using insurance or private payment methods.

RiverMend Health Centers, Marietta, GA

RiverMend Health Centers offers two locations in GA, one in Atlanta and one in Augusta. While each center has its own look, they both offer the same style of treatment. For RiverMend, their service is comprehensive, designed to offer a full slate of behavioral health services, including those for co-occurring disorders and polydrug use.

The center describes its method as being driven by neuroscience and informed by documented best practices in drug and alcohol rehabilitation. It complements this with comprehensive care meant to treat whole health—mentally, physically, and spiritually. Among the services offered are detoxification, rehabilitation, dual diagnosis treatment, non-opioid pain management, and family care.

RiverMend Health Centers accept private payment and certain insurance plans. To know more about their program and approach to this mental health facility in GA, call our toll-free helpline.

Atlanta Recovery Place, Dunwoody, GA

Atlanta Recovery Place is a more traditional choice in GA than the options above. However, traditional does not mean outdated. This center uses proven best practices to treat both addiction and disorders known to drive addiction, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder that often drive addiction. Patients at Atlanta Recovery Place are given several options for the structure of their treatment, including limited hospitalization for the start of their treatment, rigorous outpatient programs for after hospitalization or as the sole form of treatment, and sober living housing to help them maintain sobriety after their time in the program is complete. It also offers life-long aftercare because they recognize that recovery is a lifetime commitment.

Atlanta Recovery Place accepts private payments and works with several major insurance companies. It also assists patients in optioning financing plans through various providers. To learn more about these financing options in this Georgia rehabilitation facility, call the helpline below.

Bethesda Recovery, Waycross, GA

The ideal Georgia rehabilitation center will connect personally with the patient. For some, this means offering the right recreational activities; for others, it means having therapists that their personalities mesh with. For others still, it means helping them connect with their faith. And this is what Bethesda Recovery aims to do.

Bethesda Recovery is a faith-based rehabilitation center open strictly to women. It takes a biblical approach to the 12-step program, using one called 12 Gates.  24/7 supervision, therapy and life coaching are central to success here. Individual, group and family therapy are all utilized, and patients have the option of outpatient treatment in certain cases.

Bethesda Recovery center does not accept insurance, but as part of its mission, it works to make treatment affordable for all patients.

Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital, Valdosta, GA

Finally, we have Greenleaf Hospital. This recovery center offers fairly traditional treatment options within a clinical setting. They offer inpatient and outpatient treatment for any patient above the age of 12. Because it is a behavioral health center, the staff is trained to treat both addiction and other behavior disorders occurring simultaneously, ensuring that patients have access to the full slate of treatment they need. Group therapy is the primary type of therapy used, but others are added to the patient’s program depending on their needs. It also provides medical detoxification to those who need it.

Greenleaf Hospital is the most accessible of the treatment centers in Georgia on our list as it accepts Medicare, Tricare, Medicaid, commercial insurance, private payment, and can assist in arranging payment plans.

Riverwoods Behavioral Health System, Riverdale, GA

There is numerous mental health drug rehab in Georgia with tailored programs and multiple levels of care, but very few drug rehab centers in GA cater to a wide demographic like the Riverwoods Behavioral Health.  South Atlanta’s best facility provides treatment services for Adults, Adolescents, and seniors who are suffering from the effect of drug addiction. The facility is well-equipped with amenities and a team of professional staff that provide round-the-clock services.

Riverwoods accepts different types of insurance and has terms and conditions for admissions. The rehab center in GA offers comprehensive detox and treats disorders such as ADHD, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, schizophrenia, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and more. The age-specific program of the hospital meets the treatment needs of all age groups. The quick response service is helpful, especially in times of drug crisis. With a wide variety of treatment programs developed for all ages, Riverwoods stands as one of the best drug rehab centers in GA.

Lakeview Behavioral Health Hospital, Norcross, GA

The Norcross-based drug rehab in Georgia focuses specifically on behavioral health and treatment of addictions in adolescents and adults. Its programs include adult inpatient programs, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient services, adolescent inpatient, and geriatric inpatient programs. The detox process is closely monitored, utilizing best practices to eliminate drugs from the system with minimal discomfort. Lakeview drug rehab in Georgia is one of the most distinguished, providing comprehensive treatment at a convenient location that is both serene and awe-inspiring.

The drug rehab in Georgia accepts an array of insurance providers, inclusive of Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and others.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Opportunities in GA

Every rehab center in Georgia is required to hold special licensing regulated by the state. There are also additional regulations for the treatment of adolescents and drug detoxification where there is a risk of death. This ensures that all facilities in GA are up to a specific standard.

While these regulations are in place, each drug and alcohol treatment center has the freedom to craft its own programs and take bespoke approaches to the process. This allows clients to find programs that truly suit their needs, preferences, personality, and schedule.

Some Tactics that Centers May Use Include:

  • Medical detox
  • Residential treatment
  • Outpatient treatment
  • Individual therapy
  • Support group
  • Family therapy
  • 12-steps to recovery
  • Experiences with nature
  • Physical activity
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Contingency management
  • Motivational enhancement therapy
  • Medications such as Suboxone

Does My Insurance Cover Addiction Treatment? Read More About Your Health Insurance Options:

Why Is There a Need for Drug Rehab in Georgia?

The United States is currently in the midst of a substance abuse crisis. How bad is the situation? The U.S. ranks first in the world in lifetime usage of three drugs; this paints a very dire picture of the future of the country. This drug use is present in every state within the U.S., and Georgia is far from immune to it. In fact, it comes in at number 25 in a ranking of drug addiction prevalence by state, with cocaine and meth being frequently abused. Drug overdose deaths in GA rapidly increased, largely due to the amplified misuse of opioid prescriptions such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. In 2011, the highest drug treatment admissions in the state of Georgia were mostly marijuana abuse.

Approximately 6.5 percent of Georgia residents used illegal drugs within the last 30 days. However, this figure does not include legal items that are often abused, such as alcohol, inhalant items, and prescription painkillers. In terms of addiction treatment centers in Georgia, the most common addictions treated are marijuana, cocaine, and non-heroin opiates.

As is the case across the nation, the most popular drug amongst teens in GA is marijuana. However, other drugs are becoming increasingly popular amongst American youth, including synthetic cocaine and synthetic marijuana. Treatment for younger patients is not available at every rehabilitation center. However, numerous rehab facilities in Georgia offer treatment for adolescents and young adults.

Here is a Brief Statistic on the Drug Abuse and Addiction Rates in Georgia:

6.51%
GA residents

About 6.51% of residents of Georgia admitted to the abuse of drugs the previous month.

1,124
drug-related deaths

In 2010, at least 1,124 lives were lost to drug-induced death. In the same year, the state recorded 11.6 deaths per 100,000 populations.

over 60%
opioid-related deaths

Reports showed that over 60% of drug-related deaths in GA involved the use of one form of opioid or the other.

63.2
opioid prescriptions

In 2018, Georgia medical care providers reported giving out 63.2 opioid prescriptions for every 100 patient visits. This was higher than the average rate of 51.4 per 100 in the United States.

Georgia Drug Laws

The regulations of drug laws in Georgia are put in place to clamp down on drug-related offenses such as possession, sales, and distribution. A person caught in possession of drugs would likely face driver’s license suspension for six months on first conviction; subsequent convictions attract steeper penalties inclusive of fines and possible jail time. What are Georgia’s controlled substance laws on the use of marijuana?

Is Marijuana Legal In Georgia?

As of July 30, 2018, cannabis possession and consumption were declared legal by the federal court. However, the cultivation and sale of marijuana are still illegal. Georgia drug penalties for marijuana are as follows:

Drug Offense Penalty for possession Possible incarceration Maximum fine
1 oz or less Misdemeanor 1 years $1000
More than 1 oz Felony 1 to 10 years $5000
10 lbs or less Felony 1 to 10 years $5000
10 to 2000 lbs Felony 5 to 30 years $100,000
10,000 lbs and above Felony 15 to 30 years $1,000,000

Treatment Helps Patients Break the Bonds of Addiction

Georgia is a stunning state full of history and wonderful people; no one who calls this state home needs to resign themselves to a life marred by addiction. Whether a patient is simply ready for a change or must attend court-ordered rehab, drug rehabilitation treatment in Georgia helps them end their addiction and start living a better life. While recovery takes time, with proper care, it is possible. By learning the right skills and avoiding triggers, it is possible to be drug-free.

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Find Drug Rehabilitation Centers Near You Anywhere In the US

Addiction Resource team has compiled an extensive list of the top drug rehabilitation facilities around the country. Click on the state you are interested in, and you'll get a list of the best centers in the area, along with their levels of care, working hours, and contact information. Haven't found the rehab you need? Call the toll-free helpline below for professional assistance.

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Page Sources

  1. NIDA. (2009, November 1). United States Ranks First in Lifetime Use of Three Drugs. Retrieved from https://archives.drugabuse.gov/news-events/nida-notes/2009/11/united-states-ranks-first-in-lifetime-use-three-drugs
  2. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC HEALTH, Drug Surveillance Unit, Opioid-involved Overdose Surveillance in Georgia, https://dph.georgia.gov/epidemiology/drug-surveillance-unit
  3. Arthur Hughes, Rachel N. Lipari, Matthew Williams, STATE ESTIMATES OF ADOLESCENT MARIJUANA USE AND PERCEPTIONS OF RISK OF HARM FROM MARIJUANA USE: 2013 AND 2014, https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_2121/ShortReport-2121.html
  4. Executive Office of the President of the United States, Georgia Drug Control Update https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/state_profile-georgia.pdf
  5. NIDA. 2020, April 3. Georgia: Opioid-Involved Deaths and Related Harms. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-summaries-by-state/georgia-opioid-involved-deaths-related-harms

Published on: June 21st, 2017

Updated on: March 16th, 2024

About Author

Dr. Ahmed Zayed

Dr. Ahmed Zayed has degrees in Medicine and Surgery and is a graduate of The University of Alexandria. Dr. Ahmed Zayed has a passion for writing medical and healthcare articles and focuses on providing engaging and trustworthy information to readers.

Medically Reviewed by

Michael Espelin APRN

8 years of nursing experience in wide variety of behavioral and addition settings that include adult inpatient and outpatient mental health services with substance use disorders, and geriatric long-term care and hospice care.  He has a particular interest in psychopharmacology, nutritional psychiatry, and alternative treatment options involving particular vitamins, dietary supplements, and administering auricular acupuncture.

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