Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System

About Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System

Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System is a state operated psychiatric and substance use treatment provider in Jackson, Louisiana serving adults with severe or chronic mental illness. Operated within the Louisiana Department of Health it delivers interdisciplinary care that integrates substance use treatment with intensive mental health stabilization.

Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Programs

Care often begins with inpatient psychiatric hospitalization ranging from intermediate to long-term civil treatment as well as forensic psychiatric services across maximum, medium, and minimum-security settings. Substance use disorder treatment is incorporated into both psychiatric and forensic programming rather than offered as a stand-alone rehab track.

Clients can expect interdisciplinary treatment planning involving psychiatry and nursing as well as psychology and social work. Approaches include psychiatric medication management and cognitive behavioral therapy, integrated dual-diagnosis treatment and group therapy, competency restoration, and forensic aftercare along with supervised community residential placements.

Quick Facts About Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System

Location: Jackson, Louisiana, with services across multiple geographic locations statewide.
Levels of care: Inpatient psychiatric, forensic, residential, and community-based programs.
Who they treat: Adults 18 and older with serious mental illness, court-involved patients, and co-occurring needs.
Approach: Interdisciplinary, evidence-based care including CBT, psychotherapy, and dual-diagnosis treatment.
Payment options: Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, self-pay, and state and block grant funding.
Amenities: Adult community homes, therapeutic mall programming, work therapy, and an on-site medical clinic.
Continued support: Vocational rehabilitation, peer support, and forensic aftercare services.

Edited by: Kimberly Hawkins, MSc

Last Updated: August 21, 2026

Addiction Treatment Programs

Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis treatment in Louisiana addresses both your mental health and your recovery needs. A dual diagnosis program uses evidence-based approaches to help you overcome both your mental health concerns and substance use. This may include mental health medication, counseling, and more.
Adult Program
An adult program in Louisiana can provide every level of care while addressing the unique emotional and mental needs of adults. An adult program gives you the skills you need to overcome addiction and address the unique challenges of managing your work, relating to your family, raising children, and balancing a variety of other responsibilities
Senior Rehab
When you attend a senior rehab in Louisiana, you’ll work with professionals who understand the unique challenges you face in creating a substance-free life. These programs offer personalized treatment that incorporates your physical, mental, and emotional needs. You’ll find the compassionate care you need to overcome addiction.
Young Adult Rehab
Young adult rehab programs in Louisiana address the unique needs of this stage of life. A young adult program gives you the skills you need to overcome addiction and address the unique challenges of transitioning from the teen years to adulthood.

Insurance Coverage

Medicaid
There are many ways to pay for rehab in Louisiana. If you qualify, one option is Medicaid. Using Medicaid keeps your costs, if there are any, very low. You can access any type of care, including detox, inpatient, and outpatient.
Private insurance
There are many ways to pay for substance use treatment in Louisiana, including using private insurance. Plans vary, so be sure to contact your insurance company to find out coverage details and what copayments or deductibles you might be responsible for.
Self-pay options
In Louisana, you can choose to use pay for addiction treatment yourself, which is known as self-pay or private pay. Choose any center you like and write a check, use a medical loan, or have money sent electronically. Different types of care may have differing fee structures.
Financial aid
If you qualify, financial aid programs can be a good way to pay for substance use treatment in Louisiana. You can pay for detox, inpatient treatment, or outpatient care using scholarships or grants from the treatment center or from local organizations.
Medicare
If you have Medicare in Louisiana, you can use your coverage to help pay for rehab treatment. Different Medicare plans may vary, so it’s important to get full details. Also, be sure to choose a treatment center that accepts your specific plan.

Levels of Care

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Inpatient Rehab
Attending inpatient treatment in Louisiana allows you to get evidence-based care while living in the facility, helping you establish long-term recovery. Some of the elements of inpatient treatment include individual and group counseling, skill-building, relapse prevention, and help with essentials like employment and housing.

Therapies

Cognitive Behavior Therapy
If you’re struggling with substance use in Louisiana, you may not realize how connected your thoughts and actions are. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help increase your awareness. During treatment, you’ll examine common thought distortions, identify learned negative behaviors, and learn the skills necessary to consciously choose a different reaction to each situation.
Experiential Therapy
Experiential therapy in Louisiana allows you to participate in hands-on activities that can help you work through challenges. During experiential therapy, you’ll work through activities that will help you work through past experiences and emotions. Afterward, you’ll have the tools you need to address problems and manage triggers in a healthy way.
Group Therapy
Group therapy in Louisiana is generally led by a professional who facilitates client’s sharing about their experiences and emotions. Group therapy sessions generally last 60 to 90 minutes and may include discussing a specific issue, sharing wins and challenges, education about specific topics, or developing life skills.
Individual Therapy
Overcoming substance use is easier if you’re not alone. During individual therapy in Louisiana, you’ll have a professional ally who will help you see things in a new way. Individual therapy is a normal part of evidence-based treatment programs and may be a part of inpatient treatment, outpatient care, or both. Topics include processing past events that may have contributed to substance use, learning new life skills, and relapse prevention strategies.