In Alaska, 7,469 individuals – 15.88% of the state population – died as a result of drugs and alcohol between 2008 and 2017, a figure over three percentage points higher than the national average of 12.71%. Among the top three cities in Alaska based on population, Fairbanks had the lowest rate of drug- and alcohol-related deaths during that time period at 14.28%, while Juneau had the highest rate at 18.64%. Anchorage fell squarely in the middle at 16.32%.
Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services, Inc. Nugen’s Ranch
Located in Wasilla, Nugen’s Ranch provides residential programs for adult women and men, earning it an overall score of 5.5 points out of 10 possible points in our rankings. The center scored low in the category of Rehabilitation Services Provided as it offers general substance abuse services but does not provide medication-assisted treatment for patients addicted to opioids. Treatment approaches at Nugen’s Ranch are plentiful and include cognitive behavioral therapy, 12-step facilitation, motivational interviewing and incentives, relapse prevention, and many more.
Additionally, the wealth of ancillary services elicited a high score in that category and range from housing and transportation assistance to employment counseling and training to treatment for gambling disorders, to name just a few. The center also ranked high in the category of Cost as it accepts Access to Recovery (ATR) vouchers, TRICARE, private health insurance, federal funding for substance abuse programs, and self-payment. However, it does exclude Medicare and Medicaid from its payment options.
Rehabilitation Services Provided: 2.5
Treatment Approaches: 8
Cost: 7.5
Special Programs for Unique Demographics: 2
Ancillary Services: 9.5
Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It’s known for its cultural sites, including the Alaska Native Heritage Center, which displays traditional crafts, stages dances, and presents replicas of dwellings from the area’s indigenous groups. The city is also a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains including the Chugach, Kenai and Talkeetna.