2025’s Top Rehab Centers in Charleston (from $0), Drug & Alcohol Support Resources

Charleston, South Carolina

How to Choose Treatment in Charleston

If you’re ready to seek the best treatment in Charleston, you can start today. Charleston offers a full continuum of care with 24/7 detox, residential, PHP/IOP, medications for addiction treatment (MAT), recovery housing, and VA services for veterans. If you’re on Medicaid (Healthy Connections), the county-run Charleston Center uses a sliding fee scale and won’t turn people away if they cannot pay. Most private insurance plans are accepted, and if you don’t have insurance, there are free or very low-cost programs available. There are limited adolescent residential options (youth often rely on outpatient or look beyond Charleston), occasional waits for detox/residential beds, and fewer luxury or niche specialty programs — so the best step is to call ahead to confirm openings or consider nearby communities if you need something highly specific.

Can I start detox in Charleston today?

Yes — help can start today. Call first to confirm space:

• Charleston Center (operates a 24/7 helpline with round-the-clock detox admissions): 843-722-0100

• Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health: 843-747-5830

• MUSC’s Institute of Psychiatry: 843-792-9888

When you call, ask about language services and public transportation access as needed. If they’re full, ask for bridge care (telehealth, interim medications, groups) so you can start right away.

Do I need to travel for rehab, or is care available in Charleston?

You usually don’t have to travel. Charleston and the surrounding area offer medical detox, inpatient/residential, PHP/IOP, MAT, counseling, and sober living. Travel helps if you have specific preferences (for example, luxury amenities or faith-specific residential programs), but for most needs, you can start locally and add specialty care later if needed.

Paying for Addiction Treatment in Charleston

How much does rehab cost in Charleston?

Rehab prices can look overwhelming, but most people pay far less once insurance or financial aid is applied. Before you start treatment, ask for a written estimate, whether the program is in-network for your plan (and if prior authorization is required), and ask about sliding-scale fees or financial help. Learn more about the cost of rehab. 

Typical Costs (publicly funded or community-based programs; not luxury):

• A little over three months of residential care usually costs about $29,514 if you pay out of pocket. With insurance that covers 80%, you’d pay closer to $5,903 total — or about $1,816 per month.

• A three-month intensive outpatient program usually costs about $12,766 if you pay out of pocket. With 80% coverage, you’d pay about $2,555 total — or about $852 per month.

• A four-to-five-month non-methadone outpatient program usually costs about $7,251 if you pay out of pocket. With 80% coverage, you’d pay about $1,450 total — or about $322 per month.

• About two years of methadone maintenance usually costs about $26,035 if you pay out of pocket. With 80% coverage, you’d pay about $5,204 total — or about $239 per month.

What private insurers provide in-network coverage in Charleston?

Many major plans include in-network options — including Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and others are often accepted locally (many programs also accept TRICARE or coordinate VA Community Care for eligible veterans). Always confirm network status, prior authorization, and copays with your plan and the facility.

Are there free or low-cost rehab programs in Charleston?

Yes — you can find free or low-cost programs in Charleston. You can start by calling 2-1-1 for referrals to no- or low-cost services. You can also use the Free, Sliding Scale Fee, and Payment Assistance filter options on this directory to find no-cost and low-cost options. If you do have insurance, your plan may cover some or even the full cost of treatment — you’ll need to call the facility to confirm.” 

• Charleston Center: The county’s program offers sliding-fee and no-cost care for eligible residents.

• Community health centers: Fetter Health Care Network (843-722-4112) offers sliding-fee outpatient and MAT care. 

• Emergency stabilization: In a crisis, use local hospital ERs for emergency stabilization regardless of your ability to pay. 

Keep in mind there are many free non-clinical peer support and counseling resources available as well.

Best Rehabs in Charleston

What does “best” mean?

“Best” means best-for-you — care that matches your level of need, works with your insurance and budget, and fits your life (location, schedule, family). Start by listing what you need and what your plan covers, then choose an option you can start now and stick with. The programs below are examples of options that may be a good fit depending on your needs — explore them to see which might be right for you.

Facilities are included based on licensing, accreditations (when noted), years in operation, and endorsements from trusted local organizations. Always verify current availability and coverage. This is not a definitive ranking.

What are the best rehabs in Charleston?

Notable options to consider include the Charleston Center (offers 24/7 care with specialized services for pregnant and parenting women), MUSC’s Center for Drug & Alcohol Programs (integrates psychiatric care, medications, and therapy within an academic medical center), and  Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health (longstanding psychiatric and substance use hospital with strong dual-diagnosis care). Before you choose, call to make sure there are openings, what level of care is offered, and in-network coverage for your insurance plan. Ask for a written estimate and bridge care if beds are full.

What are the best rehabs for teens in Charleston?

A strong option to think about is Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, which runs a dedicated inpatient program for adolescents ages 12–17. The program pairs rehab counseling with psychiatric support and family involvement. For outpatient care, MUSC offers adolescent services. Local adolescent beds can be limited, so call early and ask about school coordination and parent or guardian participation.

What are the best rehabs for pregnant or parenting women in Charleston?

A good option to consider is Charleston Center’s Pregnant and Parenting Women residential track, which prioritizes pregnant clients and supports mothers with young children on-site, coordinating prenatal/postpartum care and offering MAT when appropriate. For outpatient perinatal care, MUSC’s Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health clinic provides therapy and medication management tailored to pregnancy and the postpartum period. When you call a program, confirm that they can coordinate prenatal/postpartum care, that medications used are safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and whether they offer childcare and transportation support.

What are the best rehabs for veterans in Charleston?

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center’s Substance Treatment and Recovery (STAR) program provides veteran-specific outpatient and inpatient SUD care with integrated mental health and PTSD services for those eligible through the VA. Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health also offers a military/veterans track familiar with service culture and trauma-informed needs. Call to ask about VA eligibility, Community Care authorization, and how transitions to outpatient care are coordinated.

What are the best low-cost rehabs in Charleston?

Start with the Charleston Center for sliding-fee and no-cost options. For those drawn to faith-based approaches, local ministries may offer free or donation-based residential care. When you call, ask about financial screening, scholarship/grant-funded spaces, and interim bridge care.

What are the best dual-diagnosis rehabs in Charleston?

Notable options to consider include MUSC’s Center for Drug and Alcohol Program (CDAP) and Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, which both provide integrated treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, with psychiatric evaluation and medication management alongside therapy. Charleston Center also supports clients with co-occurring needs and can coordinate with psychiatric specialists when a higher level of mental health care is needed. For dual-diagnosis care, call to confirm access to psychiatry, medication management, and coordinated aftercare.

What are the best intensive outpatient programs (IOP) in Charleston?

Standout options include MUSC Health’s CDAP IOP, an evidence-based program with individual, group, family work, medication management by addiction psychiatrists, and structured aftercare — ideal for step-down or as a residential alternative. Charleston Center’s IOP is a low-cost, state-licensed public option (often with evening schedules) offering skills groups, counseling, and drug testing, with easy step-up/step-down across its continuum. Lantana Recovery’s IOP is a top private choice with personalized care, moderate group sizes, and holistic approaches, with optional sober living to boost structure. Recovery Unplugged’s IOP blends standard therapy with music-based groups to engage clients who don’t connect with talk therapy alone. Call ahead to confirm schedules, insurance coverage, access to psychiatry/medication management, and coordinated aftercare.

Choosing the Right Rehab

How do I choose the right level of care?

Start with an independent assessment from a clinician who specializes in substance use problems and isn’t employed by a treatment center. They can help you choose between treatment options like outpatient, residential, hospital inpatient, withdrawal management (detox), and medications used alongside therapy. Learn more about choosing the right rehab for your needs. 

Who can help me choose the best rehab in Charleston right now?

Call the Charleston Center’s helpline at 843-722-0100 or dial 2-1-1 for local referrals. FAVOR Lowcountry at 843-620-9333 can connect you with peer recovery coaches who know the local system. When you call, say: “I’m in Charleston and need [detox/IOP/residential]; I have [Medicaid/Medicare/private/no insurance]. Do you have openings this week?” 

How can I check if a Charleston rehab is licensed (and accredited)?

Before you choose, look up the program on South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) “Find a Facility” tool to confirm that the program is licensed in South Carolina. Also ask if the program holds national accreditation (CARF or The Joint Commission). Accreditation isn’t required, but it’s a useful extra quality signal. Learn more about accreditation and other indicators of quality care.