If you’re looking to open an addiction treatment center in Arkansas, make it a high-quality facility. Sadly, according to US News, Arkansas ranks 49 out of 50 in health care in the United States. Only Mississippi had worse healthcare scores on the report.
The demand for high-quality addiction treatment care is definitely not a barrier for businesses looking to expand into Arkansas. Arkansas has suffered some of the worst opioid overdose rates in the nation in recent years, with little evidence that the problem is flagging.
In Arkansas, overdose rates have risen a full 70% in the last 5 years. While overdose death rates did begin to go down in Arkansas before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as soon as the virus hit, rates shot back up in a 55% increase from 2019. Like many places in the United States, Arkansas’ rising overdose death rates can be attributed to a deadly combination of pandemic-related isolation and a historic influx of fentanyl into the nation.
Despite a Grim Addiction Problem, Arkansas is a Great State for New Addiction Treatment Centers
While the prognosis for Arkansas’ addiction problem may look grim, there is some cause for hope. The state recently received a landmark $216 million dollar settlement from pharmaceutical companies deemed partially responsible for contributing to the opioid crisis. Treatment advocates in the state have organized several initiatives in recent years, including Together Arkansas, a service that helps connect employers with resources for workers struggling with addiction and AR-Connect, a 24-hour addiction crisis hotline that connects callers with treatment options and help.
There’s more good news, too. It’s not terribly difficult to open a treatment center in Arkansas. The state’s licensing process is straight-forward and the Arkansas Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (OADAP) makes it relatively easy to access information about how to get started. Read on to learn more about what the addiction treatment center licensing process entails in Arkansas.
You’ll Definitely Want to Read Arkansas’ “Licensure Standards for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Treatment Programs” Before Getting Licensed
Arkansas has created an 80 page bible for would-be addiction treatment center licensees, called Licensure Standards for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Treatment Programs. This document covers every possible question you may have about how to get your addiction treatment center licensed in Arkansas—all in one handy place.
Many states don’t offer documents like these, so it’s helpful to see that Arkansas does.
On page 6, you’ll find language that makes it clear that licensure is required for anyone seeking to operate an addiction treatment center in Arkansas:
Licensure is required of any individual, partnership, association or corporation operating or seeking to operate a substance abuse treatment program in the State of Arkansas.
And on the final page, page 80, you’ll find the one-page application for addiction treatment center licensing in Arkansas.
Licensure in Arkansas is a Nine Step Process
Here’s the workflow of a typical addiction treatment center licensing process in Arkansas:
1 - Your organization submits an application to OADAP.
2 - Your organization submits an application fee.
3 - OADAP will develop a schedule and a list of requirements for the review process.
4 - OADAP will issue a schedule, a list of Members of the Standards Review Team, a Notice of Requirement Form and a list of requirements for the review process.
5 - Formal onsite inspections take place.
6 - OADAP’s Standards Review Team makes recommendations to the Director of Program Compliance, based on the results of your onsite inspection.
7 - A formal report is made and your organization’s license is awarded, pending payment of the licensure review fee.
8 - If your organization’s license is not awarded in step 7, pending payment, then your organization addresses any issues noted and schedules a follow-up review after those issues are addressed.
9 - Your organization submits an additional non-refundable licensure review of $1500 to release the formal license for use.
Every Complete Addiction Treatment Center License Application in Arkansas Contains These Eleven Attachments
In order for your addiction treatment center’s licensing application in Arkansas to be considered complete, you’ll need to submit the following attachments:
Governing body information
Program planning and evaluation plan
Employee handbook
List and description of program services
Proof of physical inspection
Articles of Incorporation and bylaws on file with the state, if applicable
Board minutes
Proof of insurance
Proof of current health and safety inspections
Policies and procedures manual
Client Handbook
Once you submit these documents to the Arkansas Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (OADAP), you’ll be issued a temporary license, good for six months. When you’ve satisfied all the licensing requirements in Arkansas, you’ll be granted a full license to operate in the state.
Arkansas Needs Your Addiction Treatment Center to Open ASAP - And We Can Help
Behave Health is committed to making it easier - and more profitable - to operate evidence-based, results-focused addiction treatment centers.
Our all-in-one app puts clinical, administration, staff, admissions, alumni, residents, treatment plans, billing, insurance authorizations and more - all at your fingertips.
Get your free trial started today and see why more addiction treatment centers prefer Behave Health.
Need help with certification? Behave Health can also help direct you to the right resources for help with Licensing or Accreditation by either The Joint Commission or CARF. Mention to your product specialist that you’re interested in this service after you start your free trial!