New National Analysis Reveals Large Geographic Gaps in Detoxification Services

Treatment Locators analyzed 11,513 SAMHSA-listed facilities and found substantial differences in the geographic availability of facilities reporting detoxification services across the U.S.

MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / September 10, 2026 / A new national analysis from Treatment Locators found substantial geographic differences in the availability of addiction treatment facilities reporting detoxification services across the United States.

Treatment Locators analyzed 11,513 facilities listed in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration data and identified 2,261 facilities - 19.6% - reporting detoxification services. Of those, 2,169 had usable geographic coordinates for the distance analysis.

Across 4,041 measurable treatment communities, the median straight-line distance to the nearest listed detox provider was 7.9 miles. But the national median masks significant variation: 996 communities were more than 25 straight-line miles from the nearest listed provider and 341 were more than 50 miles away.

The largest geographic gaps were concentrated in several rural and remote states. Alaska recorded a median distance of 205.5 straight-line miles to the nearest listed detox provider, with 72% of its measured treatment communities more than 50 miles away. In Montana, 64.5% of measured communities were more than 50 miles from the nearest listed provider, followed by Wyoming at 55.2%.

"The national median alone does not show how unevenly detoxification services are distributed," said Vincent, founder of Treatment Locators. "In many parts of the country, treatment facilities exist, but the nearest facility reporting detoxification services may still be dozens or even hundreds of miles away."

The findings highlight the difference between having addiction treatment facilities within a region and having nearby facilities that specifically report detoxification services. The analysis is intended to provide a geographic view of listed service availability and to help journalists, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders examine where those gaps appear to be greatest.

The study uses SAMHSA facility data retrieved Aug. 16, 2026. Facility service information reflects what facilities reported in the SAMHSA dataset and does not independently verify whether every listed service remains currently available.

Distances were calculated using straight-line, great-circle distance rather than driving distance. The analysis measures listed provider availability, not treatment-bed capacity, real-time openings, insurance acceptance or whether a particular patient would qualify for admission.

The full analysis includes national findings, state rankings, interactive maps, methodology details and downloadable data:

https://treatmentlocators.com/research/detox-access-gap

About Treatment Locators

Treatment Locators is an independent online resource that organizes publicly available addiction-treatment information and publishes original research on treatment access and availability across the United States.

Media Contact
Vincent
Treatment Locators
[email protected]
https://treatmentlocators.com

SOURCE: TREATMENT LOCATORS