From the Mississippi River basin in the west to the misty Appalachian mountains of the east, Tennessee is a feast for the senses. But for all its attractions, the state is also known for other, less celebratory reasons. The opioid crisis has taken a particularly devastating toll on the state of Tennessee, while rates of alcohol misuse, particularly among Tennessee youth, remain high. Despite the prevalence of substance abuse and dependency across the state, the costs of addiction treatment can be prohibitively expensive for many Tennessees, with the average cost of residential care in Tennessee exceeding $56,000. Fortunately, a wide array of free substance abuse resources in Tennessee is available to ensure residents receive the care they need.
Drug Statistics in Tennessee
Addiction Nonprofits in Tennessee
Families Free
This faith-based, non-profit organization provides community-based mental and behavioral health care, outpatient addiction recovery treatment, and long-term residential programs for vulnerable families in northeast Tennessee, including women with young children and formerly incarcerated persons.
TennesseeREDLINE
This state-sponsored agency provides Tennesseeans with immediate referrals to addiction recovery programs and mental health support in their town, city, or community, including connections to specialized services for vulnerable populations, such as youth, seniors, pregnant and postpartum women, veterans, persons in crisis, and persons with co-occurring conditions. The service is available at no cost to clients and includes 24/7 access to support by telephone or text message.
TN Together
Sponsored by the State of Tennessee, this agency provides comprehensive access to community-specific mental and behavioral health resources, including addiction education, prevention, and treatment programs. They also offer information for caregivers, clinicians, attorneys, social workers, and related stakeholders.
Harm Reduction Programs
Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists
A division of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, they provide overdose prevention, education, and intervention services across all 13 regional divisions in Tennessee. This includes naloxone distribution and specialized training for first responders, caregivers, and persons at an elevated risk of overdose.
Syringe Services Programs
This state-sponsored program provides comprehensive harm reduction services throughout Tennessee, including mobile and community-based programs. They offer sterile needle exchange and safe needle disposal, HIV and hepatitis C screenings and prevention programs, naloxone distribution, and related support.
STEP TN
Developed by the nonprofit, Campa Community Care, the STEP TN program provides comprehensive harm reduction services for injection drug users throughout east Tennessee. Their services include medical screenings, infection prevention and treatment services, needle exchange and disposal, and naloxone distribution.
Government Grants & Resources
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant
Funded through the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, this grant is designed to support Tennesseeans who are at risk for or are experiencing addiction. Grants are available to fund treatment based on income eligibility, with priority given to pregnant women, intravenous drug users, and persons requiring crisis detoxification.
McNabb Centers
Funded through private and public donations and Tennessee state grants, McNabb Centers provide a complete continuum of care for youth, adults, and families experiencing mental illness and/or behavioral disorders throughout the state of Tennessee. Their programs include medical detox, inpatient, outpatient, sober living, and community-based addiction recovery services.
Addiction Recovery Program
This state-funded program provides a full suite of services for Tennessee residents who meet income eligibility requirements. They offer medical and mental health assessments, personalized treatment planning, complete case management, spiritual support, recovery skills and relapse prevention training, transitional housing, and employment assistance.
TennCare
The Medicaid division of the State of Tennessee, TennCare funds medical, mental health, and addiction recovery services for youth and adults residing in Tennessee who meet income eligibility requirements.
College Addiction Resources
Collegiate Recovery Initiative
This state-sponsored program provides resources for administrators, faculty, and support personnel on campuses of higher education across Tennessee. The program includes campus-based addiction education and prevention, as well as resources to connect Tennessee students with the recovery resources they need at low and no cost.
Rocky Top Recovery
A peer-directed addiction recovery program at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, they offer education, prevention, and support for students, including mental health services for students with co-occurring conditions.
Certified Recovery Friendly Campus
A program sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, they offer comprehensive training and resources for faculty and campus leaders interested in supporting students in recovery. The program also facilitates connections between students and state, local, and community resources.
LGBTQ+ Resources
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provides comprehensive medical, mental health, and addiction recovery support for members of the LGBTQ+ community, including crisis intervention and long-term residential care. Services are provided at low and no cost to clients.
End HIV901
This nonprofit organization connects at-risk populations with addiction recovery resources, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and inpatient, outpatient, and aftercare programs for persons with addiction and co-occurring disorders, such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. Specialized services are available for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Apex Recovery Tennessee
Apex Recovery Tennessee offers no-cost mental health assessments and referrals for specialized addiction recovery programs tailored to the unique needs of youth and adults in the LGBTQ+ community. This includes referrals for programs offering free or reduced cost services, scholarships, and grants, as well as those that accept federal or state funding.
Veterans Programs
Apex Recovery Tennessee
This program provides free mental health assessments and referals for addiction recovery programs designed to address the specific needs of military personnel and veterans. This includes referrals for low and no-cost programs and programs that accept military benefits and/or federal and state funding.
Freeman Recovery Center
This Nashville-based addiction recovery facility provides specialized services for military personnel and veterans. They offer a complete continuum of care, including medical detox and inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, general outpatient, and aftercare programs. Dual diagnosis services are available, and state and federal benefits, including TRICARE and TennCare, are accepted.
SUD Program Locator–Tennessee
Sponsored by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, this program connects military personnel, veterans, and their families to addiction recovery resources across the state of Tennessee, including specialized programs to address the unique needs of veterans.
Indigenous & Tribal Programs
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Branch (ASAB)
A program administered by the Indian Health Service (IHS), they provide access to state and local addiction resources in Tennessee and beyond, including low and no-cost addiction education, prevention, and recovery programs offering specialized care for Indigenous populations.
Native American Family Program
Administered by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, this program offers free telehealth support for Native American and Alaska Native families impacted by addiction. The program is offered nationwide, including across the state of Tennessee.
The RedRoad
Headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, The RedRoad provides access to low and no-cost addiction education, prevention, and recovery resources for American Indian and Alaska Native populations. This includes culturally-responsive reservation ministry programs drawing on Native healing traditions and practices.
Drug Laws in Tennessee
Tennessee General Assembly
This resource provides up-to-date information on controlled substance legislation introduced by the Tennessee General Assembly in the 2023-2024 legislative term. The site includes information on cannabis laws and controlled substance possession, manufacturing, and distribution.
Tennessee Drug Laws
This resource provides credible, comprehensive, and current information on drug laws in the State of Tennessee, including possession, trafficking, and manufacturing statutes. Information on state drug classification, penalties, and sentencing standards are also provided.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Laws
Administered by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, this resource provides comprehensive information on state drug laws, juvenile justice programs, mental health statutes, and more.
Sources
- “Average Cost of Drug Rehab,” National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics
- “Drug Overdose Death Rates,” National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics
- “Opioid Dispensing Rate Maps,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- “State Fact Sheets: Addressing Excessive Alcohol Use,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention