Help is Available for Those Struggling with Addiction in Norfolk
Finding a path out of substance use can feel overwhelming, yet help is closer than you think. In Norfolk and the wider Hampton Roads region, compassionate professionals stand ready to guide you or your loved one toward a healthier future.
Local solutions help you focus on healing with drug & alcohol rehab in Norfolk, VA, that begins with safe detox placement and continues through partial hospitalization and outpatient programs. With standard-setting evidence-based treatments, every client gets the chance they deserve for clinical support, peer connection, and overall structured care needed to start building independent resilience for solo living.
Types of Addiction Treatment in Norfolk
Every recovery journey is unique, so Norfolk offers multiple levels of care that meet people where they are and grow with them. Admissions teams will help you determine which level of care is best suited to your needs and will work with you to address those needs.
A long-term recovery needs to start with a full clearance of all substances from the body. While trying to detox solo can be painful and even dangerous, our team will place you at one of our medical detox partners so you’ll have leading help. Your care team will help you get through the worst of the cravings and withdrawal symptoms with medication that reduces their intensity. Once stabilized, you can transfer to another level of care, such as PHP or IOP.
A partial hospitalization program, or PHP, bridges hospital-level structure with the freedom of home evenings. Clients attend full-day programming five days a week, receiving individual therapy, group sessions, medication management, and skills training focused on relapse prevention. This intensive schedule offers stability without the need for overnight stays.
Intensive outpatient treatment programs typically offer three to four sessions per week, often scheduled to accommodate work or family commitments. You’ll still engage in evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT, process groups, and family counseling, just as in a PHP, while practicing new coping tools in real time.[1] IOPs can make it easier to hold a job or maintain a school schedule than a PHP.
How to Choose the Right Drug Rehab Center for Your Loved One in Norfolk
When you’re looking to find the best fit from the addiction treatment centers in Norfolk, the number of options can become intimidating, but there are only a few things you need to keep in mind. First, ensure you receive a certain standard of assessment and care. Look for ASAM placement, state licensing, and accreditation by the Joint Commission or CARF.
Then check their clinical credentials and evidence-based treatment offerings. You’re looking for industry standards in therapies, such as CBT and DBT. If you have a dual diagnosis, you’ll also want to ensure they have integrated care plans, so your challenges can be addressed simultaneously.
Make time to schedule a visit, so you can walk around and get a feel for the place for yourself. Talk with some of the staff and clients while you’re there, and trust your gut on any red flags.
Continuing Recovery Care & Sober Living Programs in Norfolk
Recovery doesn’t end when structured treatment wraps up. Before discharge, clinicians work with each client to develop an aftercare plan tailored to their daily life. Typical elements include weekly therapy appointments, relapse-prevention workbooks, and scheduled check-ins with a case manager. A clear roadmap helps maintain high motivation and makes setbacks more manageable.
Sober-Living Referrals
Safe, substance-free housing offers crucial stability while new habits take root. Norfolk has several reputable sober-living homes where residents share chores, attend house meetings, and follow curfews. Staff coordinate referrals, matching people to locations near work, school, or family so they can rebuild routines without sacrificing accountability.
Alumni & Peer Support
Staying connected to others in recovery adds a powerful layer of encouragement. Alumni groups host coffee meet-ups, speaker nights, and volunteer projects across Hampton Roads. Many graduates also join local SMART Recovery or 12-Step meetings for added fellowship. Peer support groups and similar networks provide critical support long after the program has ended,
Emergency Services for Addiction in Norfolk
The first call for anyone near an active overdose situation should be 911. For additional 24-hour addiction-related help, try the following:
Community Resources for Mental Health & Addiction
- 988: National Crisis Line
- 757-756-5600: Norfolk CSB
- 757-664-6683: Norfolk Peer Services
Alcoholics Anonymous
SMART Recovery
Refuge Recovery
Narcotics Anonymous
Narcan Classes and Overdose Prevention Training
Local Stats You Need to Know
Drug poisoning remains Virginia’s leading cause of accidental death, yet preliminary 2024 data show marked progress: statewide overdose fatalities fell to 1,403, nearly a 50% drop from the previous year.[2] Despite this improvement, Norfolk is still facing a higher-than-average risk of drug-related death. The city’s Community Health Assessment lists 33.9 fatal drug-overdose deaths per 100,000 residents, and opioid-specific deaths exceed 38 per 100,000, figures well above earlier state benchmarks.[3][4]
Why the mixed picture? While expanded Narcan distribution and fentanyl test-strip programs have no doubt saved many lives, the root causes of socioeconomic stressors like the cost of housing, poverty level, and limited transportation are all working full-time at keeping vulnerable populations facing higher baseline risk levels.
Start Your Recovery in Norfolk
If the daily struggle with pain pills or alcohol has become too much, then it’s time to get professional addiction treatment. Professionals and peers are standing by to help you through the hard days and celebrate your wins with you. All you have to do is make the call.
Sober Activities in Norfolk
- Elizabeth River Trail: Walk or bike the 10.5-mile waterfront path that links neighborhoods, parks, and murals. Set weekly goals and log miles with friends.
- Chrysler Museum of Art & Perry Glass Studio: Explore free galleries and watch live glass demos. Creative focus and quiet spaces support mindfulness and stress relief.
- Norfolk Botanical Garden: Stroll shaded paths and seasonal blooms. Try morning photography or a brief meditation to anchor healthy routines.
- Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin: Visit maritime exhibits and tour the deck. History-centered outings add structure and spark meaningful conversations.
- Ocean View Beach Park: Do sunrise stretches, join a beach cleanup, or play casual volleyball. Light activity and salt air can improve mood and sleep.
- Hermitage Museum & Gardens: Walk riverside trails, browse rotating art shows, and sketch outdoors. Make it a standing weekly creative date.
- Volunteer locally: Join Keep NorfolkBeautiful or the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Service builds purpose, community connection, and accountability.
How to Pay for Addiction Treatment in Norfolk
When you choose to enter drug & alcohol rehab in Norfolk, VA, the last thing you want to worry about is how to pay for your addiction treatment. Fortunately, there is a wide range of resources available to help cover the cost of your treatment.
Most programs in Norfolk accept a mix of private insurance, Virginia Medicaid, and TRICARE. Coverage for PHP and IOP varies by plan, so be sure to ask about deductibles, copays, and any prior authorization requirements for services such as group therapy, medication management, and lab work. If you have an HMO, confirm in-network status. PPO plans may include out-of-network benefits that reduce out-of-pocket costs.
If you’re without any form of insurance, you still have options for help. Many employers offer an employee assistance program that covers the cost of some sessions. If you’ve contributed pre-tax dollars to an FSA or HSA, those can often be used to help pay down costs.
Active-duty families can explore TRICARE pathways, while Medicaid members can verify covered levels of care and any referral requirements. During a quick initial benefits check, admissions staff can double-check eligibility, do cost estimations, and help outline your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions About Attending Rehab in Norfolk
How long do PHP and IOP usually last?
Timelines will change from one individual to another. PHP often runs weekdays for two to four weeks, then many people step down to IOP for six to ten weeks based on progress and clinical goals.
Can I keep working or attending school?
In most cases, IOP can be scheduled to accommodate work or school commitments. IOP schedules are commonly set in the late afternoon or evening, allowing you to balance treatment with work or classes.
Is medication-assisted treatment available?
MAT can be coordinated with local prescribers for opioids or alcohol when appropriate, paired with behavioral therapy and regular check-ins.
What if I need detox or inpatient first?
Teams can arrange medical detox placement and, if needed, referrals to inpatient rehabs, then help you transition back to PHP or IOP in Norfolk.
Do you involve families in care?
When appropriate, clinicians invite loved ones to join therapy sessions or education groups to build support for long-term recovery.
Other Nearby Locations
McGovern, M. P., & Carroll, K. M. (2003, December). Evidence-based practices for Substance Use Disorders. The Psychiatric clinics of North America. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3678283/
Virginia Department of Health. Go to Virginia Department of Health. (n.d.-b). https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/drug-overdose-data/overdose-deaths/
Community Health Needs Assessment – City of Norfolk. (n.d.-a). https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/223/2024/10/Final_CHNA_Norfolk_Approved-10.30.24.pdf
Community Health Needs Assessment – City of Norfolk. (n.d.-a). https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/223/2024/10/Final_CHNA_Norfolk_Approved-10.30.24.pdf