How to Start a Drug Rehab Center in Arizona

Arizona experienced a drug overdose death rate of 37.2 per 100,000 individuals as per the latest data published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, only a limited number of treatment facilities are offering rehab care in Arizona. This indicates a gap between the supply and demand for effective drug rehabilitation facilities in Arizona. With drug rehab startups, you can cash in on this demand and supply gap to make your facility a resounding success. In this blog, we will explain how to start a drug rehab center in Arizona. 

Are you interested in the drug rehab market in Arizona? Get expert guidance about the addiction treatment business of Arizona from Strategique Partners today!

Is Opening a Drug Rehab Center in Arizona Worth It?

Through simple market research, we can understand whether starting an addiction treatment center in Arizona is a good option or not. As per the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics:

• Arizona has only 493 active substance abuse facilities to serve a huge patient population of 79,399 annually.
• Only 4 facilities in Arizona are offering free drug rehab treatment.
• 40% of all drugs coming into the U.S. cross the Mexico-Arizona border.

All these statistics represent that opening a drug rehab center is actually pivotal in addressing this critical public health issue.

Average Spending on Drug Rehab Services in Arizona

Data suggests that Arizona ranks 31st cheapest state for residential drug rehabilitation services, with average spending equaling that of New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The average spending on drug rehab facilities is as follows:

1. The average cost of residential drug rehabilitation services in Arizona is $56,789.
2. Similarly, $131 million is spent on outpatient services in Arizona.
3. On average, an individual can pay you $1,706.

This data can make you understand how profitable a drug rehab venture can be in the state of Arizona.

 

 

Steps to Start an Addiction Treatment Rehab Facility in Arizona

The essential steps to start a drug rehab center in Arizona should include not only meeting legal requirements but also ensuring long-term sustainability. This entails the following things:

1. Strategic Positioning
2. Wise Choice of Treatment and Business Model
3. Focus on What Matters Most

A business expert’s guide to opening an addiction treatment center will prioritize sustainability and profitability alongside meeting legal requirements.

1. Began Identifying Arizona’s High-Need Areas for Addiction Treatment

The first step in this is to pinpoint specific areas where your business has the best chances to succeed. This can be done on two levels:

1. Areas with opioid crisis like Maricopa County
2. Most underserved areas such as Coconino and Pinal Counties

Both of these aspects help you locate potentially good areas in Arizona. You can use state health data and overdose maps for this purpose. Furthermore, facilities like the following can also factor into the choice of a good location:

1. Accessibility
2. Marketing Potential
3. Costs of Leasing
4. Place with Amenities

However, expert real estate services can help you out in selecting the best location for your new drug rehab center in Arizona. 

2. Choice of Treatment Model: A Practical Blueprint for Success in Arizona

Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) offers licensing for many categories of treatment. These categories include:

1. Behavioral health inpatient facility
2. Outpatient treatment center
3. Behavioral health specialized transitional facility
4. Substance abuse transitional facility

However, you should bear in mind that these categories can be confusing. For instance, Behavioral health specialized transitional facilities are specifically for sex offenders, whereas a substance abuse transitional facility is for sobering living facilities. Therefore, you need to research before selecting the category for your licensing.

Drug Rehab Treatment Models and Their Utility in Arizona

Specific care services should be selected based on your resources and their demand in Arizona.

• Generally, opening a detox program or offering residential drug rehab services can entail more staffing and complicated licensing. 
• Launching an outpatient treatment program and starting a partial hospitalization program (PHP) is easier due to lower startup costs. 
• Arizona offers state funding for opening medication-assisted programs such as launching methadone-assisted programs or starting ketamine clinics.

This and a lot more can be learned from program development and program management provided by Strategique Partners. 

3. Securing Licensing For Drug Rehab Center in Arizona: A Non-Negotiable Startup Step

In order to launch and function normally, you will be required to first get your drug rehab facility licensed from Arizona DHS. Furthermore, other regulatory compliances are also necessary for specific programs such as the state requirements for intensive outpatient programs.

1. Apply for an Arizona DHS Behavioral Health License 
2. Obtain Drug Enforcement Agency registration for substance assisted treatment
3. Register as a Medicaid Provider because Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) program offers crucial reimbursement opportunities
4. Meet zoning regulations in relatively stricter land-use cities like Phoenix and Tucson

To ease these legal obligations and focus the business development, drug rehab startups often rely on our licensing and regulatory services.

4. Focusing on the Business Model and Payer Mix

The drug rehab market of Arizona is certainly competitive, which is part of why you should take special care of the business model you choose. A strong business model can be developed based on a wise choice between the following options:

1. Consider getting credentialed with insurance companies or choosing private pay
2. Going for specialized care services such as Native American communities, veterans, and age groups
3. Choosing to link with sober living homes or other community partners

Arizona’s market requires you to offer specialized treatment programs because the demand is as such. This is why you should consult an expert in company development and billing. 

5. Leveraging Arizona’s Workforce Grants and Staffing

You will need licensed professionals to run your drug rehab center in Arizona, which will include:

1. Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs)
2. Licensed Substance Abuse Counselors (LSACs)
3. Nurse Practitioners & Medical Directors (For facilities offering MAT or detox)

You have the option of covering hiring costs with the help of Arizona Workforce Grants. Furthermore, our staffing services can help you in finding reputable professionals easily.

7. Arizona-Specific Strategies Marketing, Branding, and Patient Outreach

Addiction treatment center marketing is vital in enhancing your reach to a client base. Nowadays, startups in the behavioral health sector mainly fail because of weak marketing and branding strategies. It is very essential to learn how behavioral health branding helps your business grow. Some other patient outreach channels apart from digital marketing & SEO include the following:

1. Leverage AHCCCS and Medicaid directories to get listed as a preferred provider.
2. Establish hospital and urgent care partnerships
3. Join Arizona-based recovery groups and professional networks

Most Effective Digital Marketing Tactics for Drug Rehabs in Arizona

Similarly, in terms of digital marketing proven and effective strategies for addiction treatment marketing in Arizona include:

1. Targeting local searches like “addiction treatment in Arizona” or area/city-wise searches
2. Developing a website with a good user experience
3. Having social media handles for your rehab
4. Quick response to customer queries 

This is done from a treatment care and state-specific standpoint by our behavioral health digital marketing & SEO experts. You can greatly benefit from it if you have little to no idea of drug rehab digital marketing.

How Strategique Partners Help in Opening an Addiction Treatment Center in Arizona?

Strategique Partners has been helping drug rehab startups with launching and planning throughout the United States. Our company’s startup experts have been part of many successful drug rehab openings in states like Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Colorado. This is why we are the trusted and experienced campaigners who help out drug rehabs not only in opening up but also in building and sustaining in the future. Our drug rehab startup process includes the following rigorous efforts:

1. Market Research & Feasibility 
2. Preparations to Launch
3. Turn-Key Solutions

It is very important to hire drug rehab consultants to open your rehab center if you have little experience. Therefore, you should seek help from Strategique Partners or any rehab startup expert.

FAQs About Opening a Rehab Facility in Arizona

We included some of the most pressing questions regarding how to start a drug rehab center in Arizona in the following lines:

Can I Operate a Rehab Center Without Providing Clinical Services?

Yes, you can offer non-clinical services like sober living in place of clinical services in your rehab center. However, for that, you will need a license from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) under the category, of Substance Abuse Transitional Facility.

Can I Start a Telehealth Addiction Treatment Program in Arizona?

Yes, you can start a telehealth addiction treatment program in Arizona. The demand for telehealth services is high as Arizona’s rural areas like Coconino and Pinal Counties have little to no facilities for substance abuse treatments. You need to have a license for your telehealth services and ensure HIPAA compliance.

What Are the Staff Requirements for a Rehab Center in Arizona?

.You need the following set of staff members at your rehab center in Arizona:

1. Medical Director for MAT
2. Counsellor 
3. Therapist
4. Nursing Staff
5. Administrative Assistants
6. Support Staff

Furthermore, your staff requirements include training your staff as well.