The Athens Area Commencement Center

About The Athens Area Commencement Center

The Athens Area Commencement Center is an outpatient addiction treatment center for adults. It’s based in a quiet corner of metropolitan Athens, Georgia. They specialize in alcohol and opiate recovery. It’s open Mondays through Saturdays.

Established in 1978, this family-owned facility offers medical outpatient detox, partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) during the day and evenings. There’s also aftercare.

Outpatient Care in Athens

Treatment may begin with medical outpatient detox for clients who meet specific medical criteria. From there, individuals can step into day or evening IOPs, with PHP available six days a week for those needing more structure.

Clients participate in experiential group therapy, educational sessions, and regular family nights designed to support recovery as a shared journey. AACC also offers a robust aftercare with weekly sessions recommended for two years to reinforce long-term success.

Key Details Before Signing Up

Approach: Holistic and family-centered care with group therapy and educational programming.
Payment options: Accepts most major insurance plans; Medicaid and Medicare aren’t accepted.
Flexible scheduling: Day programs six days a week and evening programs three nights a week plus Saturdays.

Begin Again in Athens

Starting treatment at The Athens Area Commencement Center begins with an initial assessment to determine the right level of care. The admissions team can answer questions about programs, scheduling and insurance verification.

Reach out today to learn how AACC can support you or your loved one on the path to recovery.

Edited by: Peter Lee, PhD

Addiction Treatment Programs

Alcohol Rehab
If you’re struggling with your alcohol use, consider an alcohol rehab in Georgia. During this program, you’ll work with professional counselors to deal with the psychological, emotional, and physical issues that alcohol misuse can cause. Over time, you’ll learn how to live without drinking long term.
Drug Rehab
The best way to achieve recovery from substance use disorder is by completing a high-quality drug rehab in Georgia and applying the tools you learn to stay in recovery. During this program, you’ll work with professional counselors to deal with the psychological, emotional, and physical issues that substance misuse can cause. Over time, you’ll learn how to live without drug use long-term.
Adult Program
An adult program in Kentucky addresses the unique needs of adults, such as finding secure housing, building a career, and raising a family. In addition to typical detox, inpatient treatment, and outpatient care, an adult program may also teach clients about building a career, saving for retirement, parenting, and more.
Young Adult Rehab
If you’re a young adult struggling with substance use, consider a young adult rehab program in Georgia. Young adult programs may include detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient care, aftercare services, and more.
Intensive Outpatient Program
The IOP offers a flexible yet structured approach to recovery, providing therapy several days a week while allowing clients to maintain work, school, and family responsibilities in Athens, GA.
Co-Occurring Disorders Program
Clinicians at the Athens Area Commencement Center address substance use alongside anxiety, depression, and trauma, integrating mental health support into outpatient and PHP treatment plans.
Outpatient Detox Program
This program provides medical support and supervision to help individuals safely manage withdrawal symptoms while remaining in the comfort of their own home in the Athens area.
Family Involvement Program
Family therapy and involvement are woven into treatment programs at the Athens Area Commencement Center, helping loved ones heal together and build a supportive foundation for recovery.

Insurance Coverage

Private insurance
In Georgia, one of the options to pay for substance use treatment is using private insurance. Different plans have different coverage levels, so be sure to check with your insurance company for details. You may be responsible for certain costs, such as copayments and deductibles. Overall, however, private insurance makes treatment much more affordable.
Most Major Insurance Plans Accepted
The Athens Area Commencement Center accepts most major insurance plans, helping clients in the Athens, GA area access outpatient detox, PHP, and outpatient treatment services.

Levels of Care

1
Detox Treatment
The center’s outpatient detox program helps clients in Athens, GA safely withdraw from alcohol and drugs with medical monitoring and therapeutic support while continuing to live at home.
2
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient treatment at the Athens Area Commencement Center offers flexible scheduling with individual counseling, group therapy, and evidence-based approaches so clients can maintain work, school, or family life.
3
Aftercare Support
It’s easy to wonder what’s next after treatment, but fortunately, aftercare in Georgia can provide ongoing support. One element of aftercare that can be very helpful is peer support, where you connect with those who have been where you are.
4
Partial Hospitalization Program
PHP at the Athens Area Commencement Center provides structured, intensive daytime treatment for substance use and co-occurring conditions, allowing clients to return home each evening.

Therapies

Individual Therapy
During individual therapy in Georgia, clients have a confidential environment to work through their struggles with a professional. Individual therapy is only one element of rehab treatment, along with activities, peer support, group counseling, relapse prevention, and more. Together, all these methods support you in establishing long-term recovery.
Group Therapy
Group therapy sessions are integrated into outpatient and PHP programming, giving clients in Athens a supportive peer setting to process substance use challenges alongside evidence-based counseling.
Family Therapy
Family therapy at the Athens Area Commencement Center helps repair relationships, improve communication, and create a supportive home environment to strengthen long-term recovery outcomes.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The Athens Area Commencement Center uses CBT as a core treatment component, helping clients identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to substance use during outpatient and PHP care.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is offered to help clients build skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness as part of individualized recovery planning in Athens, GA.
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is provided as part of the center’s outpatient treatment, offering personalized support tailored to each client’s substance use and co-occurring mental health needs.