Addiction Treatment Costs in South Carolina : Pricing, Insurance, and Affordable Options (2025)

Addiction treatment costs vary significantly across states, reflecting different insurance regulations, facility types, and program lengths. In South Carolina, both inpatient and outpatient programs show a wide cost range, with financial barriers often influencing treatment decisions and outcomes.

From state-funded outpatient clinics to private inpatient facilities, pricing structures can fluctuate by thousands of dollars. The data that follows highlights key cost statistics, insurance details, and affordability options to help individuals make informed treatment choices.

Key Statistics

• $57,774 is the average cost of a 30-day inpatient program without insurance in South Carolina.
• Outpatient care can average $1,707 for a 30-day program.
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) monthly costs range from $100 for buprenorphine to $450 for methadone.
• Roughly 78% of non-metropolitan counties in South Carolina experience notable spatial access gaps for treatment services.

Many facilities coordinate with Medicaid and private insurers to reduce out-of-pocket costs, yet uncovered expenses like travel, co-pays, and extended counseling fees can still add up. The following sections present more in-depth pricing data and insights.

Inpatient and Residential Treatment Costs

Inpatient addiction care in South Carolina generally includes 24/7 medical supervision, counseling, and on-site housing, driving up expenses.

• The daily rate for uninsured patients can reach $641.93, with a 30-day stay often totaling $57,774.
• Insurance coverage at 60% brings the daily cost down to $256.77, while 80% coverage reduces it further to $128.39.
• Luxury centers, priced between $30,000–$100,000 per month, may offer holistic therapies and improved staffing ratios.
• Some faith-based facilities in the state provide free residential care funded by donations and grants.

These costs vary by facility size, staffing, and included amenities. Lower-income individuals may find relief through Medicaid or county authorities.

*Estimates may differ based on plan deductibles and co-pay structures.

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Outpatient and Detox Expenses

Outpatient programs and detox services often cost less than inpatient options, offering flexible schedules and lower facility overhead.

• A 30-day outpatient program in South Carolina averages $1,707 total.
• Standalone outpatient detox typically ranges $1,000–$2,000.
• Medicaid enrollees may receive partial or full coverage for detox and outpatient services.
• Some nonprofit providers adjust fees on a sliding scale, charging as little as $1,000 per year for low-income clients with dependents.

Though less expensive overall, outpatient clients may need more frequent office visits, which can incur transport costs or lost work hours.

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Medication-Assisted Treatment Expenditures

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines behavioral therapy with approved medications, making cost structures more complex.

• $350–$450 in monthly expenses is common for methadone-based treatment.
• Buprenorphine prescriptions average $100 monthly.
• Methadone programs can yield $4–$7 in criminal justice savings for every $1 invested.
• Rural areas often face 68-minute average commutes to MAT clinics, adding transportation costs of $180–$240 monthly.

For uninsured or underinsured individuals, grants and state-funded initiatives sometimes cover these medication costs or reduce them substantially.

*High relapse rates and repeat induction can increase these costs further.

Insurance Coverage and Funding Options

Health insurance, including Medicaid and private plans, can significantly reduce treatment expenses across different care levels.

• Medicaid (Healthy Connections) covers inpatient, outpatient, and detox services.
• BCBS of South Carolina subsidizes costs but copays vary by plan; high deductibles leave some with $2,100–$3,800 annual out-of-pocket spending.
• Nonprofit and faith-based organizations can offer free or reduced-price care for uninsured individuals.
• County alcohol/drug authorities often charge on a sliding scale, with fees as low as $1,000 per year for eligible families.

In addition, federal programs like State Opioid Response grants bolster access to naloxone and MAT, particularly in underserved regions.

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Geographic Disparities and Regional Price Variations

Costs can vary widely even within the same state, with rural and urban areas showing distinct differences in treatment affordability and availability.

• Non-metropolitan counties in South Carolina see a 51.6% rate of court-mandated treatment, leading to lower reimbursement rates.
• The Pee Dee region shows 37% higher per-capita treatment costs than Upstate due to provider shortages.
• Rural commute times to OTPs average 68 minutes, compared to 14 minutes in Columbia or Charleston.
• Luxury coastal rehabs in Hilton Head may cost 220% above operational expenses, driven by tourism-based pricing.

While some regions benefit from multiple specialized centers, others rely on a small number of providers, exacerbating price disparities.

Additional Financial Barriers and Waitlist Dynamics

Even when treatment programs are accessible, hidden fees and extended wait times can increase the overall financial burden.

• Publicly funded clinics can have 22–46 day waitlist differences between counties, with some areas reporting 63-day delays.
• Courts often mandate counseling that may cost $1,200–$2,400 per series, not always covered by insurance.
• Peer recovery coach fees of $45–$75 per hour are typically out-of-pocket, adding $7,800–$11,000 in uncovered annual expenses for severe cases.
• Toxicology screens run $120–$200 per test, potentially required multiple times during outpatient or court-ordered treatment.

These additional costs underscore the importance of exploring every resource available, from nonprofit aid to county sliding-scale programs.

Key Statistics Summary

• Inpatient treatment can exceed $57,000 for a 30-day stay without insurance.
• MAT expenses range from $100 to $450 per month.
• Outpatient detox averages $1,000–$2,000, with sliding-scale options as low as $1,000/year for qualifying families.
• Rural commute times to treatment facilities can be over four times longer than in urban areas.

Overall, South Carolina’s addiction treatment costs vary by insurance coverage, location, and program type, creating a complex financial landscape. Many individuals rely on a combination of Medicaid, private insurance, and nonprofit assistance to help offset expenses.

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