Quick answer
Davidson County recorded 513 suspected drug overdose deaths among residents in 2024, down from 609 in 2023, with fentanyl detected in roughly 70% of fatalities. Nashville has 60 treatment facilities within 30 miles, including 16 medical detox programs. TennCare and TN REDLINE can help you start.
Last updated: Wed Oct 07 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Nashville is Tennessee's capital and the heart of Davidson County. Overdose deaths among county residents fell in 2024 after years of climbing, and the metro has a sizable licensed treatment network. This guide covers the local numbers, who provides care, and how to pay for it.
What the local overdose data show
Metro Public Health Department surveillance reports 513 suspected drug overdose deaths among Davidson County residents in 2024, down from 609 in 2023. Fentanyl was detected in roughly 70% of 2024 fatalities; cocaine and psychostimulants (such as methamphetamine) were the next most common cause-of-death substances. Quarterly city surveillance also showed a 26% year-to-date drop in fatalities by the end of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023.
The racial profile of the epidemic has shifted: in 2024 the age-adjusted death rate among Black residents exceeded that among White residents. Residents ages 25 to 54 accounted for nearly three-quarters of fatal overdoses.
Who provides treatment in Nashville
The SAMHSA treatment locator lists 60 facilities within 30 miles of downtown Nashville (ZIP 37203):
- 16 offering detoxification (withdrawal management)
- 17 with residential programs
- 55 offering outpatient services
Medication-assisted treatment - buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone - is available through certified opioid treatment programs and office-based providers across the metro. Counts change as programs open and close, so confirm current options on the locator.
Substance-specific guides for this city:
Paying for treatment
TennCare covers medically necessary substance use disorder treatment for eligible members, including withdrawal management, outpatient and intensive outpatient care, residential treatment, and medications for alcohol or opioid use disorder when clinically appropriate. Most members enroll in one of TennCare's managed care organizations: BlueCare Tennessee, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Tennessee, and Wellpoint (formerly Amerigroup) (TennCare Select serves defined special populations). Confirm your benefits with your plan. If you are uninsured, Tennessee's free 24/7 TN REDLINE at 1-800-889-9789 (call or text) can help with referrals.
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.
- Call or text TN REDLINE at 1-800-889-9789, or search findtreatment.gov with ZIP code 37203.
- Ask any program whether they offer medical detox, residential care, or outpatient and intensive outpatient options that match your schedule.
Nashville has the capacity of a major metro treatment system and a public health department that publishes timely overdose data. The next step is one phone call.
Treatment by substance in Nashville
Questions about rehab in Nashville
How many people die of drug overdose in Davidson County?
Metro Public Health Department surveillance reports 513 suspected drug overdose deaths among Davidson County residents in 2024, down from 609 in 2023. Fentanyl was detected in roughly 70% of 2024 fatalities.
How many addiction treatment centers are near Nashville?
The SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov locator lists 60 substance use treatment facilities within 30 miles of Nashville, including 16 offering detoxification, 17 with residential programs, and 55 offering outpatient care.
Does TennCare pay for rehab in Nashville?
Yes. TennCare covers medically necessary substance use disorder treatment for eligible members, including detox, outpatient and intensive outpatient care, residential treatment, and medications when clinically appropriate. Most members enroll through BlueCare, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, or Wellpoint.
What should I do if I am uninsured in Nashville?
Call or text Tennessee's free 24/7 TN REDLINE at 1-800-889-9789 for confidential treatment referrals. Community providers may offer sliding-fee scales. You can also call or text (800) 653-9376 for help checking options.
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.