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South Carolina Drug Statistics and Resources

If you’re looking for free addiction recovery resources in South Carolina you’ve come to the right page. In this guide, you’ll find key statistics about substance abuse in South Carolina, an overview of how addiction (now called substance use disorder) impacts residents in the state, and a comprehensive list of resources (including specialty resources for LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, students, and Native American/Alaskan Native people) to help you or your loved one find the right information and accessible resources to get you the help you may need.

Drug Statistics in South Carolina

Recent data shows that deaths from drug overdoses continue at an alarming rate, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). In a recent press release, the DHEC revealed a significant increase in the last several years:

Between 2020 and 2021 overdose deaths increased by 25 percent, from 1,734 to 2,168.
1,733 Opioid Overdose Deaths
Opioids were the main cause of overdose deaths attributed to 1,733 fatal overdoses.

Addiction Nonprofits in South Carolina

In the following section, you’ll find a comprehensive list of addiction and recovery resources, including harm reduction information, and resources for specific groups and communities.

Hope Connects

Find online interactive mental health screeners

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Information and resources for residents in a mental health crisis. Visit the website or call 803-528-4315.

Mental Health America (South Carolina Chapter)

Find a local chapter and information. You can also call 803-779-5363.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Mental health resources. Visit the website or call 803-733-9591.

Courage Center

Harm reduction resources, life-skills training, sober social events, and family services.

Embrace Recovery

This website helps residents find county organizations providing addiction treatment, provides a support group finder tool, and lists recovery community organizations, including:

Harm Reduction Programs

South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS)

Locate various overdose prevention resources, including:

  • Naloxone information and distributors in the state
  • Availability of naloxone in pharmacies
  • How to become a naloxone distributor

Harm Reduction Coalition

Promotes safer drug use through two finder tools: the Nasen website to find sterile syringes near you, and Next Distro to get naloxone by mail

Homeless No More

Located in the Columbia area. Providing emergency and transitional shelter, affordable housing resources, and referrals.

Wake Up Carolina

Harm reduction and recovery support meetings and resources.

Fyrebird Recovery

Located in the Horry County/Myrtle Beach area, this nonprofit provides harm reduction services, resources, case management, a food pantry, reentry support, and referrals.

Government Grants & Resources

DHEC Treatment Locator

The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) provides a locator tool to find addiction treatment facilities across South Carolina. Visit the DHEC treatment page for more information.

Community Naloxone Distributors

A search tool to find naloxone in your community. Some providers may also have fentanyl test strips.

TransitionalHousing.org

Find transitional and sober housing across South Carolina on this locator tool. These homes often provide affordable housing, support groups, case management, life skills training, and employment assistance.

South Carolina Department of Mental Health

Locate a list of local community mental health centers in your area, and:

  • South Carolina Mobile Crisis hotline: call (833) 364-2274 or text Text “HOPE4SC” to 741741. Español: “AYUDA” to 741741.
  • Aiken County Help Line, INC: 803-648-9900
  • Greenville Teen Line: 864-467-8336
  • Greenville Teen Text Line: Text “TEENline” to 839869
  • SCDMH Deaf Services hotline: 803-339-3339 (VP) or email [email protected]

Embrace Recovery

A DAODAS initiative to connect residents with recovery resources, like support groups, recovery organizations, and more.

Buprenorphine Locator

This tool helps residents to locate buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

College Addiction Resources

Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE)

A nationwide directory of collegiate recovery programs (CRP/CRC) and communities. ARHE also hosts an annual collegiate recovery conference for students and members of each CRP.

Greenville Technical College Center for Collegiate Recovery

A collegiate recovery program supporting students who want to maintain their recovery while achieving their academic goals.

College of Charleston Collegiate Recovery Program

A program providing social events, academic support, safe sober spaces, and peer support.

Allen University

Provides a supportive recovery environment for students.

University of South Carolina

Named “Gamecock Recovery” this CR provides peer support, recovery coaching, advocacy, and sober social events.

Students Recover

An accessible collegiate recovery resource for students attending schools that may not offer collegiate recovery programs, like minority institutions, community colleges, and trade schools.

LGBTQ+ Resources

The Trevor Project

Crisis, suicide, and mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth. Call 866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678. Available 24/7.

Translifeline

Peer support run for trans people for trans people, providing crisis, mental health, and suicide prevention support. Call 877-565-8860. Available 24/7.

PFLAG

Support, education, advocacy, and education for LGBTQ individuals. Search their website for South Carolina chapters.

VA LGBTQ+ Veterans Care

Contact with LGBTQ+ affirming care coordinators Shantel Edmonds at 803-776-4000 ext 57329 or Jessica Jarka on 803-743-8644.

Call BlackLine

LGBTQ+ support including peer services, counseling, and mental health resources. BIPOC individuals are prioritized.

Veterans Programs

Make the Connection

A VA program providing education, treatment options, and self-help tools for veterans. You can also listen to shared experiences and find peer support.

Modern Military Association of America (MMAA)

Find virtual meetings for LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals, including treatment and referral resources in South Carolina.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Information and resources for active military personnel and veterans, including mental health and addiction treatment. Visit their substance use page for more information about substance use disorders, and the VA treatment page in South Carolina.

VA LGBTQ+ Veterans Care

Provides contact with LGBTQ+ affirming care coordinators Shantel Edmonds at 803-776-4000 ext 57329 or Jessica Jarka at 803-743-8644.

South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs

Provides a partnership with Emory Healthcare to provide a veterans mental health program.

National Center for PTSD

A leading educational resource on PTSD, which includes resources for treatment in your area.

Indigenous & Tribal Programs

Catawba Indian Nation

The only federally recognized tribe in the state of South Carolina. Find information on health clinics and other local information.

Strong Hearts Native Helpline

Anonymous and culturally appropriate domestic and dating violence helpline for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center

Information and resources for Native American women on personal safety, mental health, and domestic violence.

The Invisible Population

A presentation by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs, provides information on the health of Native Americans, disparities, and ways to bridge the healthcare gap.

WeRNative

A mental health resource for Native youth.

White Bison

A nonprofit organization providing peer-led recovery resources that are culturally specific and help individuals achieve and maintain their recovery.

One Sky Center

An American Indian/Alaskan Native national resource center providing education, health resources, research, and treatment referrals for mental health and substance use problems.

Drug Laws in South Carolina

Syringe Exchange and Distribution

Syringes are not considered drug paraphernalia under the law, but they may only lawfully be sold by pharmacies. There is also no law prohibiting the possession or delivery of syringes.

Naloxone Access Law

  • A pharmacist, or prescribe, may give out or administer naloxone to a caregiver, first responder, to a person they believe are at risk of overdose. They must also provide basic training.
  • Pharmacists may prescribe naloxone under a standing order or protocol, which includes overdose information, documentation, and send a notification of the person’s primary care provider.
  • It is also permissible for pharmacists to prescribe naloxone to a community distributor.
  • Those acting in good faith for administering or giving out naloxone are immune from civil liability, so long as they exercise reasonable care and provide basic instruction on how to administer naloxone.

Good Samaritan Law

A person who calls for help due to an overdose may not be prosecuted for substance and drug paraphernalia possession so long as they acted in good faith. They must stay with the person experiencing the drug poisoning, provide their name to first responders, and cooperate with law enforcement or medical personnel. This immunity also protects the person who overdoses. If the caller has previously sought immunity, they may not have guaranteed immunity the next time they call, however, this will be considered a mitigating factor.

Naloxone Standing Order

There are several naloxone protocols for individuals, community distributors, and pharmacists allowing the administration and distribution of naloxone. Distributors must be approved by the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services.

Sources

Where do calls go?

Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser: Rehab Media Group, Recovery Helpline, Alli Addiction Services.

By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.