Alcohol and Drug Services

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health administers the public system of substance use assessment, referral, prevention, treatment, and recovery support services for individuals in Mississippi. Service providers include state-operated programs, regional Community Mental Health Centers, and other non-profit community-based programs. The overall goal of the state’s substance use disorder service system is to provide quality care within a continuum of accessible, community-based services, including prevention, outpatient, withdrawal management, intensive outpatient, high-intensity and low-intensity residential treatment, opioid treatment services and recovery support.

For more information about the below services, click the buttonto view the latest Alcohol and Drug Services Resources Directory, or call the DMH Helpline at 1-877-210-8513 for more information about services and support near you.

  Alcohol & Drug Services Resource Directory

Services include

Services are classified based on the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s (ASAM) Levels of Care. The ASAM Criteria is the most widely used and comprehensive set of guidelines for placement, continued stay, transfer, or discharge of patients with addiction and co-occurring conditions. The ASAM Criteria’s strength-based multidimensional assessment takes into account a patient’s needs, obstacles and liabilities, as well as their strengths, assets, resources, and support structure. This information is used to determine the appropriate level of care across a continuum. ASAM Level 1 includes Outpatient Services, Level 2 includes Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Services, Level 3 includes Residential and Inpatient Services, and Level 4 includes Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient Services.

Outpatient Services

Outpatient substance use disorder treatment is appropriate for individuals whose clinical condition or environment does not require a more intensive level of care. Multiple treatment modalities, techniques and strategies include individual, group, and family counseling.

Intensive Outpatient Services (IOP)

IOP services are community-based outpatient programs that provide an alternative to traditional residential treatment or hospital settings. IOPs generally provide 9-19 hours of structured programming per week for adults consisting primarily of counseling and education about addiction and mental health problems. IOPs are for adults who need services more intensive than traditional outpatient services, but who have less severe alcohol and drug problems than those typically addressed in residential treatment. The IOP allows the consumer to continue to fulfill his/ her obligations to family, job, and community while continuing treatment.

Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Services (A-IOP)

The Adolescent-Intensive Outpatient Program (A-IOP) is a community-based outpatient program for adolescents ages 12-18 who need services more intensive than traditional outpatient services, but who have less severe alcohol and other drug disorders than those typically addressed in Residential Treatment Services. A-IOPs allows adolescents to continue to fulfill their obligations to family, job, school, and community while obtaining treatment.

Acute Partial Hospitalization Services

The Acute Partial Hospitalization Program for Substance Use Disorders provides an intensity of treatment similar to an inpatient environment, in a less restrictive, community-based setting. This short-term, intensive level of care allows individuals to benefit from consistent, structured treatment while maintaining their usual living arrangements in their communities. Acute partial hospitalization programs provide a less restrictive level of care for individuals discharged from inpatient programs, or a higher level of care when IOP is not effectively meeting the individual’s needs.

Clinically managed residential services

Level 3.5 programs are designed to serve individuals who, because of specific function limitations, need safe and stable living environments in order to develop and/or demonstrate sufficient recovery skills. This type of treatment offers a 24-hour supportive treatment and group living environment that provides the individual with a comprehensive program of services which are easily
accessible and responsive to the needs of the individual. Because substance and opioid misuse is a multidimensional problem, group and individual therapy, family therapy, education services explaining alcohol/drug and dependency, personal growth, and the recovery process, vocational counseling and rehabilitation services, employment activities, and recreational and social activities are available to the individual.

Clinically managed Low Intensity residential services

A residential substance use disorder treatment program focuses on the enhancement of social skills needed to lead a productive fulfilling life in the community. These Level 3.1 programs offer at least 5 hours per week of low intensity treatment for substance-related disorders. The program provides a group living environment, which promotes life free from chemical dependency, while encouraging the pursuit of vocational, employment or related opportunities. With group support, individuals acquire coping skills which enable them to become productive citizens in their community. An individual must have successfully completed a High-Intensity Residential substance use disorder treatment program before being eligible for admission.

Withdrawal Management

Withdrawal Management is the process through which a person who is physically and/or psychologically dependent on alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medications, or a combination of these drugs is withdrawn from the drugs of dependence.

Pregnant and Parenting Women Services

Pregnant and Parenting Women providers admit pregnant women and parenting mothers or fathers with dependent children under age five. Other DMH Certified Providers prioritize admission for pregnant women and IV drug users. If admission for outpatient treatment or a residential bed is not available within 48 hours, referral for pre-natal care, counseling and education will be provided. Click here for more details and contact info on these Pregnant and Parenting Women Providers.

For more information and to find providers of these services near you, click below to view the Alcohol and Drug Services Resources Directory, or call the DMH Helpline at 1-877-210-8513.

  Alcohol & Drug Services Resource Directory

The Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) are the foundation of the substance use disorder delivery system. In addition, some centers offer services for specialized populations such as children and adolescents, the elderly, and pregnant/parenting women. There are also several other public and private agencies that provide prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. These entities also provide services for special populations and may receive funding from other state agencies, community service agencies or donations.

Most CMHCs provide the following substance use services

  • Prevention services
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Individual, group, and family counseling
  • Outreach/aftercare services
  • Primary residential services (including withdrawal management services)
  • Transitional residential services
  • Vocational counseling
  • Emergency services (including a 24-hour hotline)

Many centers also provide a 10-week intensive alcohol and drug outpatient program for individuals who are in need of treatment but are still able to maintain job or school responsibilities. In addition, some centers offer day treatment and specialized services for children and adolescents, elderly persons, and women. Preference is given to pregnant women at all DMH certified programs.

The Department’s inpatient Substance Use Disorder units are located at Mississippi State Hospital in Rankin County (serves female patients) and East Mississippi State Hospital in Meridian (serves male patients). Individuals may enter the hospital via a voluntary or involuntary commitment.

DUI Diagnostic Assessment

The DUI diagnostic assessment is a process by which a diagnostic test is administered, and the result is combined with other required information to determine the offender’s appropriate treatment environment.

The SYNAR Amendment

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services (BADS) is the agency responsible for compliance with the Synar Amendment. The Annual Synar Report is submitted to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)/Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). In accordance with the tobacco regulation, Mississippi is required to provide detailed information on progress made in enforcing youth tobacco access laws and future plans to ensure compliance with the Synar requirements to reduce youth tobacco access rates.

Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription pain killers are one of the nation's leading illegal drug problems, becoming more prevalent than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined, according to recent surveys. Because these drugs are so readily available, and many teens believe they are a safe way to get high, teens that wouldn't otherwise touch illicit drugs might abuse prescription drugs. More than 70% of people who abuse prescription painkillers say they get them from family or friends.

Below is a list of prescription drop box locations around the state participants in the Mississippi Partnership Project have secured for their local law enforcement. These drop boxes can be used to dispose of expired or unnecessary medication.

  • Bay St. Louis Police Department
  • Biloxi Police Department
  • Brandon Police Department
  • Byram Police Department
  • Columbus Police Department
  • D’Iberville Police Department
  • Gulfport Police Department
  • Kemper County Sheriff’s Department
  • Long Beach Police Department
  • Louisville Police Department
  • McComb Police Department
  • MS Hwy Patrol Office, (Woolmarket)
  • Moss Point Police Department
  • Natchez Police Department
  • Ocean Springs Police Department
  • Oxford Police Department
  • Pascagoula Police Department
  • Pass Christian Police Department
  • Ridgeland Police Department
  • Smith County Sheriff’s Department
  • Vicksburg Police Department
  • Waveland Police Department

In addition to these, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics operates prescription drug drop safes located in certain drivers’ license offices around the state for the secure disposal of medications. For more information, call 601-371-3600.