Top 30 Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers in San Bernardino, CA & Free Treatment Resources

Located in the foothills of the San Bernardino Valley, San Bernardino, CA, is known for its scenic location. But it’s also struggling with the opiod epidemic as well. Since February 2021, 14 teens have died in the county from fentanyl overdoses.² Alcohol rehab or drug rehab in San Bernardino can provide the rehab services you’re looking for. From inpatient to outpatient and the options in between, there are 87 accredited drug rehabs in San Bernardino designed to meet your individual recovery goals.

Located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, San Bernardino is one of the larger cities in California and is the county seat of San Bernardino County. Substance use disorder admissions to county treatment facilities did go down 15% between 2018 and 2020.1 However, over the 10 years ending in 2020, admissions were up by 1%.¹

Between 2010 to 2020, there was a 103% increase in opiate addiction admissions in the county and an 18% increase in alcohol admissions.1 During this time, drug-induced and alcohol-related deaths also increased in San Bernardino County.1 Drug-induced deaths increased steadily to a 2018 rate of 12.9 deaths per 100,000.1 Despite the increase, this rate is better than the overall statewide rate of 13.7.¹

Deaths associated with chronic alcohol misuse have gotten worse in San Bernardino County, from 12.4 per 100,000 in 2008 to 15.5 per 100,000 in 2018.1 This is higher than the statewide average.1 In 2019, alcohol-involved car crashes left 77 people dead in San Bernardino County.¹

There are concerns among the teenage population in the area as well. The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District reports they’re seeing an increase of counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid. Since February 2021, 14 teens have died in the county from fentanyl overdoses.² The Fire District said they’ve also seen an increase in the availability of fake oxycodone, Xanax pills, and fentanyl powder.²

The cost of a San Bernardino drug or alcohol rehab varies based on the type of treatment you choose. A residential inpatient facility will typically cost more than a standard outpatient center since you live at the facility full-time while receiving treatment. California does offer low-cost and free rehabs for people who find cost a barrier to getting addiction treatment.

How to Find Low-Cost and Free Rehabs in San Bernardino

There are low-cost and free rehabs that utilize government funding or other grants to keep costs low. These rehabs often require you to meet income requirements, show that you do not have insurance, and verify that you are a resident of California. The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health can help you identify free or low-cost rehabs.³

San Bernardino County also offers free substance use disorder and recovery services (SUDRS). These services are available after you’ve completed residential, outpatient, or medication-assisted treatment or if there is a lapse of services as you transition between levels of care.³ These services are based on your personal goals and can include an ongoing recovery plan, outpatient individual or group counseling, education and job skills support, and family support.⁴

California offers Medi-Cal, its state Medicaid program. It provides health care services, including addiction treatment, for low-income individuals and families. If you are eligible, you can receive substance use disorder treatment through Medi-Cal certified programs.

To qualify for Medi-Cal, you must meet one of the following criteria⁵:

• Be at or below 138% of the poverty level for your family size
• Be 65 or older
• Blind
• Disabled
• Under 21
• Pregnant

Medicare is a federal health insurance program offered to anyone 65 years old and people with disabilities. It can also cover the costs of inpatient and outpatient drug rehab. Your specific Medicare coverage will determine what types of treatment are covered and if you will have any out-of-pocket costs.

Private insurance is required to cover addiction treatment. The extent of your coverage will depend on your provider and the type of plan you are covered under. To learn exactly what is covered under your private insurance, it’s best to call the number on the back of your insurance card and talk with a representative.

There are many types of San Bernardino drug or alcohol rehabs with varying intensities of care. Addiction treatment often begins at one level, and then you step down in intensity as you finish your program. For many people, addiction recovery is a lifelong process.

Receiving an Addiction Assessment

A substance abuse assessment is a necessary first step in treatment. You can have one done through either your doctor or a treatment program. This assessment will determine if there is a drug or alcohol addiction, the extent of that addiction if there are any co-occurring mental health conditions, and how substance use affects your daily life.

Your answers to these questions will establish a baseline for your treatment and guide your overall recovery plan.

Medical Detox Services

It’s important to start treatment in a stable, substance-free physical state. That’s where medical detox comes into play. Medical detox is the process of ridding the body of all substances while under medical supervision. While you’re going through the withdrawal process, a medical professional will be able to manage your symptoms to make sure you stay safe and comfortable.

Medical detox is just one step of the overall rehab process and should not be used as a substitute for more intensive addiction treatment. Withdrawal only rids your body of substances. It does not address the underlying conditions that led to your addiction.

Inpatient Drug Rehab in San Bernardino

An inpatient drug or alcohol rehab in San Bernardino is considered one of the more intensive forms of treatment. In this type of treatment setting, you live at the facility full-time while receiving care. This allows you to focus fully on your recovery, avoiding any outside distractions or temptations. You’re also surrounded by like-minded individuals who understand the struggles of addiction.

Inpatient rehab offers a structured daily program of services that can range from outdoor activities to art therapy. A residential or inpatient rehab will also focus heavily on different forms of group and individual therapy so you can identify and work to correct the root cause of your addiction.

Step-Down Care

Inpatient rehab is often just the beginning of an ongoing treatment process. Once your program is finished, you can step down your care and continue on an outpatient basis. Outpatient care allows you to build upon the skills you learned while in residential treatment while still providing needed structure.

Not everyone begins their recovery journey in inpatient treatment. For some people, outpatient treatment makes the most sense, particularly if their addiction is mild and they have a strong support system in place.

Here is a breakdown of the types of outpatient programs available.

Standard outpatient treatment: Considered the least intense form of outpatient treatment, a standard outpatient program works well for people who require a program with flexibility that they can work around their schedules. Patients are required to attend sessions a few times a week for group therapy and counseling.

Intensive outpatient: An IOP or intensive outpatient program requires people to visit a treatment center several days a week for a few hours at a time. While it’s less intense than a partial hospitalization program, it’s still more time-intensive than a standard outpatient program. IOPs often meet on weekdays during the mornings or evenings. Programs often consist of group therapy and can also include individual counseling and other skills training.

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs): Partial hospitalization programs or PHPs provide intensive treatment without the need for an overnight stay. Patients spend more time in a PHP than in a standard outpatient program and are medically monitored during their time there. PHPs provide comprehensive care while still allowing the patient to live life outside of treatment.

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Once formal treatment has ended, it’s important to set out a plan for future success. Since there is no cure for addiction, an aftercare and relapse prevention plan can help you maintain your sobriety. Your treatment team can work with you to create an aftercare plan that considers your needs.

A relapse doesn’t equal failure. About half of all people with a substance use disorder will experience a relapse.⁶ Seek out additional support or revisit addiction rehab so you can get back on track.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the aftercare programs available.

• 12-Step Programs
  12-step support groups can be a part of the aftercare plan or incorporated into more formal addiction treatment. These groups help eliminate the sense of isolation many people feel during substance use disorder treatment. Attendees receive the support of people who have been where they are and can share their experiences in a safe environment. Two well-known examples of 12-step programs are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). The 12-steps were created by the founders of AA to establish guidelines to overcome addiction to alcohol. It’s since been modified for other addictions, including narcotics. A 12-step program is spiritually based, which doesn’t always appeal to everyone. One alternative is SMART or Self-Management and Recovery Training. People learn how to control their addiction and manage their cravings by focusing on their underlying thoughts and feelings. SMART continuously updates its methods based on the latest evidence in addiction recovery.
• Sober Living or Transitional Housing
  A sober living home or transitional housing provides people who have completed rehab a place to stay before they return home. These facilities offer a safe and supportive place for patients who aren’t quite ready to fully enter everyday life. Residents can spend time practicing the skills they learned in rehab and attend counseling and support group meetings while receiving care for any co-occurring mental health or medical issues.
• Ongoing Therapy
  Ongoing counseling or therapy can make sure you’re staying on track with your aftercare plan and address any issues before they lead to problems. Your treatment providers can help you find a private therapist to incorporate into your aftercare plan. Don’t worry if the first therapist you see isn’t the right fit. It’s important to find someone who makes you feel comfortable.

Addiction treatment is a personal experience, and everyone has different needs. Here are a few things to consider when deciding which drug rehab or alcohol rehab in San Bernardino is right for you.

Cost: Once you’ve decided between inpatient or outpatient treatment, the next factor for many people is cost. If you don’t have private insurance, look for rehabs that offer financing options or payment assistance. If you are using insurance, you’ll want to find a program that is accepted by your plan.

Amenities: Finding a drug or alcohol rehab in San Bernardino with specific amenities may be important to you. These amenities can include chef-prepared meals, pools, spa treatments, and exercise programs, just to name a few.

Inpatient or outpatient: One of the quickest ways to narrow down your rehab options is to decide between inpatient or outpatient services. A substance use assessment can help you figure out which treatment option will be the best fit for you and your addiction needs.

Treatment Approach
Not all rehabs are created equal. Some facilities take a different approach to treatment, such as holistic treatment that includes more integrative health therapies such as yoga. Executive rehabs cater to the busy professional, and faith-based rehabs recognize the role religion can play in addiction recovery.

Population-Specific Treatment
It’s not unusual for a rehab to limit its patient population to either men or women. Research has shown men and women have very specific needs when it comes to addiction recovery, and these rehabs are designed to address those needs.
 
Some rehabs offer programs tailored to veterans, teens, and the LGBTQ+ population.

A quality San Bernardino drug rehab or alcohol rehab will meet a certain set of criteria and guidelines to ensure you have a successful experience. Here are a few of the things to look for in a quality treatment program.

Program Accreditation
In addition to meeting state licensing requirements, you’ll want to look for a treatment program that has received accreditation. This is the process facilities undergo to confirm they meet the high standards for addiction treatment. The two biggest accrediting organizations for addiction facilities are the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and the Joint Commission.
 
Choosing a program that has been accredited is a good way to ensure that its staff is dedicated to the highest standards of care. The accreditation process is rigorous and ongoing, so you’ll know that a facility is on top of the latest treatment options.

Staff-to-Patient Ratio
One sign of a quality treatment program is a low staff-to-patient ratio. A lower ratio means you’ll receive more individual attention and additional oversight. This is important since addiction recovery is a very personal and unique experience. Staff must be available when you need them.
 
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration rates a low staff-to-patient ratio as 4 patients or fewer per staff.

Aftercare Planning
A quality rehab should work with you to set up an aftercare plan. This can include whether you need to find housing, a job, or continue another form of treatment. Once your needs are identified, the facility should be able to help you find resources in San Bernardino to help you address these areas.

Alumni Programs
Alumni programs are designed for people who have successfully completed treatment but may continue to face challenges in their recovery. Typical alumni programs can include regular sober events, in-person or phone check-ins, and online support through email, message boards, or social media. These programs can provide needed support as you transition out of treatment and back home.

If you live outside the city limits, traveling to San Bernardino for alcohol rehab or drug rehab will likely give you more treatment options. Traveling can also give you a fresh start away from negative influences that could lead to a setback.

Neighborhoods in San Bernardino to Consider for Treatment

San Bernardino offers an interesting mix of neighborhoods, from college districts to suburban and urban areas.

University District

The University District or University Parkway is located about 8 miles north of downtown San Bernardino. It takes its name from the nearby California State University – San Bernardino. This area offers an urban-suburban mix with a younger population due to its proximity to the university.

Verdemont

Verdemont is home to five major parks, including one dedicated to President Ronald Reagan, which includes a piece of the Berlin Wall. This area offers a more suburban feel with many single-family homes.

Arrowhead Springs

This mountainous neighborhood lies below the Arrowhead geological monument, which is a natural formation of light quartz on the side of the mountain. Native Americans thought the Arrowhead pointed to the hot springs below.

Downtown

Downtown San Bernardino features the urban vibe you would expect in a downtown neighborhood. Residents can enjoy Seccombe Lake Park and the three performing arts venues. It’s also just a short distance from the San Bernardino International Airport.

Hospitality Lane District

This neighborhood is considered the center of shopping and restaurant activity in the area. Located just 3 miles southeast of downtown, it’s close to major freeways and the international airport.

1. San Bernardino County. (2022). Community Indicators – Substance Abuse.
2. San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. (2022). Teen Opioid Abuse.
3. San Bernardino County Behavioral Health. (2022). Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Services.
4. San Bernardino County Behavioral Health. (2020, February 25). Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Services (SUDRS).
5. California Department of Health Care Services. (2022, February 28). Do You Qualify for Medi-Cal Benefits?.
6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, June 3). How effective is drug addiction treatment?.
7. Neeki, M. M., Dong, F., Archambeau, B., Cerda, M., Ratliff, S., Goff, A., Roloff, K., & Tran, L. (2020). San Bernardino County Youth Opioid Response: Improving Access to Evidence-Based Medical Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. Cureus, 12(8), e9781.