Quick answer
342 overdose deaths among Shelby County residents in 2024 (TDH). Memphis has 32 treatment facilities within 30 miles, including 6 medical detox programs. Here is how to navigate local care.
Last updated: Wed Oct 07 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Memphis is the largest city in Tennessee and the seat of Shelby County. Overdose deaths remain a major local public health problem even where totals are falling, and the metro has a measurable licensed treatment network. This guide covers the local numbers, who coordinates public care, and how to pay for it.
What the local overdose data show
Tennessee Department of Health vital statistics report 342 drug overdose deaths among Shelby County residents in 2024, down 157 from 2023. Of those 2024 resident deaths, 256 involved opioids and 244 involved fentanyl. Stimulants other than cocaine appeared in 93 deaths and cocaine in 150. The West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center supplies provisional suspected-overdose surveillance to the Shelby County Health Department.
Who provides treatment in Memphis
The SAMHSA treatment locator lists 32 facilities within 30 miles of downtown Memphis (ZIP 38103):
- 6 offering detoxification (withdrawal management)
- 8 with residential programs
- 26 offering outpatient services
Public-network anchors include Tennessee's free 24/7 TN REDLINE (1-800-889-9789, call or text) for treatment referrals, the Shelby County Health Department's overdose surveillance program, and TennCare managed care networks. Confirm openings on FindTreatment.gov.
Substance-specific guides for this city:
Paying for treatment
TennCare covers medically necessary SUD treatment for eligible members, including withdrawal management, outpatient and intensive outpatient care, residential treatment, and medications when clinically appropriate. Most members enroll through BlueCare Tennessee, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Tennessee, or Wellpoint (formerly Amerigroup); TennCare Select serves defined special populations. Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. If you are uninsured, call or text TN REDLINE at 1-800-889-9789.
Private plans are also required under federal parity rules to cover substance use disorder benefits on par with medical and surgical benefits when those benefits are offered.
How to start today
- If this is a medical emergency, call 911. For a crisis, call or text 988.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 to talk through your options with a treatment specialist, or use this form:
Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers, and we check your benefits before you commit.
- Search findtreatment.gov with ZIP code 38103, or use the local public-network contacts listed above.
- Ask any program whether they offer medical detox, residential care, or outpatient and intensive outpatient options that match your schedule.
Memphis has the scale of a major metro treatment market and public agencies that publish timely overdose data. The next step is one phone call.
Treatment by substance in Memphis
Questions about rehab in Memphis
How many people die of drug overdose in Shelby County?
Tennessee Department of Health vital statistics report 342 drug overdose deaths among Shelby County residents in 2024, down 157 from 2023.
How many addiction treatment centers are near Memphis?
The SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov locator lists 32 substance use treatment facilities within 30 miles of Memphis, including 6 offering detoxification, 8 with residential programs, and 26 offering outpatient care.
Does TennCare pay for rehab in Memphis?
Yes. TennCare covers medically necessary SUD treatment for eligible members. Most members enroll through BlueCare, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, or Wellpoint. Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid, so some adults fall into a coverage gap - TN REDLINE can still help with referrals.
What should I do if I am uninsured in Memphis?
TN REDLINE at 1-800-889-9789 (call or text) provides free 24/7 confidential treatment referrals. Shelby County Health Department publishes provisional overdose surveillance. In an emergency call 911; for a crisis call or text 988.
Is it dangerous to stop opioids or alcohol suddenly?
Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal after heavy use can be dangerous and should be medically supervised. Opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening on its own but is extremely uncomfortable. Call 911 if someone is unresponsive or struggling to breathe, and call or text 988 for a mental health crisis.