Drug & Alcohol Addiction Rehab, Treatment & Recovery Resources in Montana

1. Montana Chemical Dependency Center

Located in Butte, Montana Chemical Dependency Center – a service of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services – earned maximum points in several categories, resulting in the highest overall score of 8 points out of 10 possible points in our rankings. The center specializes in treating adults in an inpatient setting. Its rehabilitation services were among its strongest features and include the use of acamprosate and naltrexone for the treatment of substance abuse, as well as detoxification and pain management services and medications for psychiatric disorders. It also earned full points for its wealth of ancillary services — in addition to mental health assessments, aftercare services, housing and transportation assistance, and social skills development, it also assists its clients with obtaining other social services, among many other options to promote long-term recovery.

As the center accepts a multitude of payment options, including Medicare, Medicaid and other state-financed health insurance, Access to Recovery vouchers, government funding for substance abuse programs, and private health insurance, many residents of the community can afford the cost of treatment. It also provides payment assistance and a sliding fee scale based on income and other factors, all of which resulted in the center receiving the highest possible points in the category of Cost as well. However, the center does have an area of weakness as the only unique population for which it offers a special program is individuals with co-occurring mental health disorders, and, as a result, earned a low score in that category.

• Rehabilitation Services Provided: 10
• Treatment Approaches: 6.66
• Cost: 10
• Special Programs for Unique Demographics: 2.5
• Ancillary Services: 10

2. Wellness Possebilities

Wellness Possebilities, located in Laurel, received an overall score of 6.5 points out of 10 points and offers substance abuse rehabilitation services to adolescents and adults in both regular and intensive outpatient service settings. However, the center earned the fewest points in this category of rehabilitation services — although it treats substance abuse and accepts clients on opioid medication, it does not offer detoxification services or medication-assisted treatment among its rehabilitation options. Conversely, it received the highest possible score for its wealth of treatment approaches, such as both 12-step facilitation and Matrix Model approaches, motivational interviewing/incentives, trauma-related counseling, anger management, and several more.

Another strength of the center was its many ancillary services that range from community outreach to employment training to HIV/AIDS education and support, among many others. It also provides programs custom-tailored to the particular needs of unique populations, including adolescents and individuals with co-occurring mental health disorders or who have suffered trauma, including sexual abuse. The center scored relatively high for its multitude of payment options, accepting Medicare, Medicaid and other state-financed health insurance, TRICARE, IHS/Tribal/Urban (ITU) funds, Access to Recovery (ATR) vouchers, private health insurance, and self-payment, in addition to offering a sliding fee scale based on income and other factors.

• Rehabilitation Services Provided: 1.67
• Treatment Approaches: 10
• Cost: 7.5
• Special Programs for Unique Demographics: 7.5
• Ancillary Services: 8.35

3. Missoula Urban Indian Health Center

An overall score of 6.2 out of 10 points placed Missoula Urban Indian Health Center third in our rankings. The center offers regular and intensive outpatient treatment to adolescent and adult clients; however, it earned only minimal points for its rehabilitation services as, although it treats substance abuse and accepts patients on opioid medication, it does not offer detoxification services and medication-assisted treatment and maintenance. Conversely, the center earned full points for its treatment approaches and its special programs for unique demographics. Treatment approaches are plentiful and include cognitive behavioral therapy, community reinforcement plus vouchers, brief intervention, and relapse prevention, in addition to several others. The center’s wide selection of special programs intended for specific populations range from members of the LGBT community to active duty military members and veterans to pregnant/postpartum women to seniors, and many more.

• Rehabilitation Services Provided: 1.67
• Treatment Approaches: 10
• Cost: 5
• Special Programs for Unique Demographics: 10
• Ancillary Services: 6.68

Start by contacting your referral center

There are five regional Montana 211 centers across the state, and each center assists residents within its service area by providing information about substance abuse and referrals to nearby treatment facilities. Contact information for each center and a map detailing the five service regions is available on the Montana 211 website, as well as a searchable database of statewide substance addiction rehabilitation services.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) also provides information on approved substance use disorder residential treatment providers within the state. Recovery homes offer adults a sober living environment that helps them transition to a permanent drug-free lifestyle. Non-hospital inpatient residential facilities offer services such as 24-hour monitoring, withdrawal management, and medical stabilization. DPHHS also makes available a list of state-approved providers of substance abuse services, the majority of which offer treatment in an outpatient setting.

Medicaid services are available for low-income Montana residents who need help covering the cost of substance abuse treatment. Visit the Medicaid information page on the DPHHS website for further information.

Use our database to find a treatment center near you

The tool below lists all of the treatment centers in the state of Montana recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Input your zip code and select the filter icon to find relevant treatment centers near you.

Substance abuse indicated in Montana veteran suicides

Montana’s 2016 Suicide Mortality Review Team Report included an analysis of 121 veteran suicides between January 1, 2014 and March 1, 2016. The methods used in a majority of the suicides involved a firearm — responsible for 77% of deceased veterans, followed by hanging — the cause of an additional 14% of veteran deaths. The third most common method of suicide was a drug overdose, which was the official cause of death among 5% of the deceased veterans. Furthermore, toxicology reports for 56 of veteran suicides revealed many had used alcohol and/or drugs prior to their deaths. According to post-mortem testing, 41% of these deceased veterans had alcohol and 29% had prescription pain medications or psychotropic drugs in their systems, while 7% had evidence of either methamphetamine/amphetamine or THC in their bloodstream.

Additional Resources for Parents and Teachers

The Montana 211 online database of addiction treatment services can be filtered by age group to locate resources specifically for adolescents. Enter the terms “adolescents” and “youth” in the Montana 211 search function and then check the box for the “search for any of the above terms” option, which will provide a list of hundreds of statewide programs intended for relevant age groups. Results can also be narrowed to a particular area by indicating a specific city or county using the drop-down menu near the bottom of the search.

Alternately, adolescents or their parents can contact the Montana 211 center serving their region for assistance discovering local substance abuse treatment available for youth.

Mental Health Resources & Treatment

If you or someone you love is suffering from mental health issues, such as depression, PTSD, eating disorders, or severe anxiety, there are many resources from which to receive help.

Below are a few ways to receive immediate assistance, as advised by MentalHealth.gov:

Emergency Services: If your life (or someone else’s life) is in danger, always start by dialing 911 to gain immediate access to emergency services.

Suicide Prevention: The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is: 800-273-8255. You can also initiate a private live online chat.

Veterans Crisis Line: Dial the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 and press “1” to talk to someone immediately. You can also access help with a private online chat or text 838255.

Here are two ways to find a provider of mental health treatment in Montana:

Montana National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): The NAMI Montana website offers fact sheets about a variety of mental illnesses and a special section that highlights suicide prevention among adolescents.

Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS): The Montana DPHHS website has a section describing the services, locations, and contact information for Drop-In Centers around the state that assist residents who have mental health disorders and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Individuals who have both substance use and mental health disorders may benefit from dual-diagnosis rehab facilities. Use the appropriate filter in our tool above to find rehabilitation centers with treatment programs designed to meet the unique challenge posed by co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.

Contact the appropriate local organization to find an AA or NA meeting near you

The tool below lists the contact information for local organizations that will connect you to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings near you. Since meeting times and locations change periodically, contact the local groups that coordinate the meetings to ensure that the information is up to date.

Nearly 15% of Montanans suffer from mental illness annually

As discussed earlier in this guide, there is a strong link between substance use disorders and mental health disorders. When an individual is afflicted with both of these issues at the same time, health professionals refer to it as co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders or a “dual diagnosis.” Consequently, the prevalence of mental health issues in a given state can also help us to understand the level of substance abuse.

Montana’s suicide rate is the highest among all 50 states and is more than twice the national average

The Centers for Disease Control reports that suicide is the leading cause of death in the United States. The suicide rate has risen in nearly every state from 1999 to 2016, with that rate increasing by more than 30% in half of all 50 states since 1999. Suicide is an act that is often linked to substance abuse. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, substance abuse is a primary risk factor for both adults and adolescents who attempt and/or complete suicide, and this is particularly true for at-risk populations.

Furthermore, the relationship between substance abuse and suicide is multi-faceted and complex. Persons who have substance abuse issues typically also carry other risk factors for suicide, including depression, impulsive behavior, and other struggles with relationships, finances, illness, or unemployment that make them more likely to engage in self-harm. Between 1999 and 2016, Montana witnessed a 38% increase in the number of suicides. In 2017, Montana ranked first in the country for the number of suicides per 100,000 residents.

The opioid prescribing rate for Montana is slightly higher than the overall U.S. rate

Prescription drug abuse – particularly in the form of opioids – has become an epidemic in the United States. While it is difficult to estimate how many individuals use these drugs as prescribed and how many abuse them, the Centers for Disease Control has researched the variation in opioid prescriptions between states, establishing a direct connection between an increased level of opioid prescriptions with a greater potential for dependence and abuse. Across the United States in 2017, 191 million prescriptions for opioids were written by physicians, ultimately leading one in four patients who begins long-term opioid therapy to an addiction.

The rate of homelessness in Montana is much lower than the national average

A high rate of homelessness in an area indicates a greater potential for substance abuse issues. Homelessness has been shown to be linked to substance abuse as both a cause and a result; some individuals become homeless due to a substance use disorder, while other individuals who are already homeless frequently turn to substance use to dull the pain and desperation of their situation.

The 2018 Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Point-in-Time Count reported approximately 552,830 homeless individuals in the United States, the equivalent of 17 of every 10,000 U.S. residents. This number represents a decrease of 4.1% since 2014 when the number of homeless persons in the U.S. was around 576,450. Furthermore, homelessness across the United States has decreased by 15% since 2007, the year that HUD began collecting data on the homeless population.

Drug- and alcohol-induced deaths in Missoula are slightly lower than the rate across Montana