Charleston, South Carolina

Introduction to Charleston, South Carolina

The second-largest city in the state of South Carolina is the city of Charleston, which serves as the county seat of Charleston County. Founded in 1670 by English settlers, the city was originally named Charles Towne after King Charles II of England. The original capital of the Carolina colony, Charleston marked the southernmost point of English settlement during the late 1600s. Although its earliest settlers primarily came from England, colonial Charleston also became home to a combination of ethnic and religious groups, owing to its prominence as a developing seaport town. Incorporated as a city in 1783, Charleston was to play an active role in the Civil War almost a century later, when it was more or less under siege by Union naval and land forces for three years. Twenty years after the war, Charleston was nearly destroyed by an 1886 earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale. Despite these setbacks, Charleston survived and prospered and many of Charleston's historic buildings remain intact to this day. Present-day Charleston has become the largest business and financial center for the southeastern section of South Carolina and an important South Atlantic seaport.

Charleston is served by two interstate highways (Interstates 26 and 526), four major U.S. Highways, and seven major South Carolina state highways. The city is home to the College of Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the Citadel, among other institutions of higher education. As of 2004, the largest employer in the Charleston metropolitan area is SPAWAR (the US Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command).

Attractions in Charleston

Throughout its history, Charleston has served as a cultural capital of the South. Visual arts are well represented here with the Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston's premier art museum, in addition to numerous art galleries. Each spring, Charleston is host to Spoleto Festival U.S.A., a 17-day art festival featuring a variety of artistic performances. Other annual events include the Moja African-American Arts Festival, the Worldfest Charleston International Film Festival, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, the Charleston Food and Wine Festival, the Christmas Parade of Boats, and the Christmas in Charleston Celebration.

As an early colonial city, Charleston is replete with museums and historical attractions. The Old Exchange and Customs House in downtown Charleston ranks with Boston's Faneuil Hall and Philadelphia's Independence Hall as one of the three most important Colonial buildings in the country. Charleston is also home to Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, and Fort Moultrie, the site of a critical British defeat in the Revolutionary War. Patriot's Point, located across the river in nearby Mount Pleasant, is home to the USS Yorktown and several other naval vessels. Other museums and historical sites include:

  • The Charleston Museum: The oldest museum in the nation.
  • American Military Museum
  • Children's Museum of the Lowcountry
  • Edisto Island Museum
  • Karpeles Manuscript Museum
  • Postal Museum
  • Shem Creek Maritime Museum
  • Summerville Dorchester Museum
  • The Citadel Museum
  • The Confederate Museum

Typical of coastal cities, recreation in Charleston focuses on water. The city's eight-acre Waterfront Park attracts many visitors annually and is a popular destination for residents as well. Charleston is home to numerous parks, including Beachwalker Park, Folly Beach County Park, Isle of Palms County Park, James Island County Park, North Charleston Wannamaker County Park, Old Santee Canal Park, and Palmetto Islands County Park, just to name a few. Charleston's mild climate makes tennis and golf year-round sports, and the city is home to 40 tennis courts and a municipal golf course. Nature lovers can visit Charleston's South Carolina Aquarium, the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest, or Angel Oak, a 65-foot tall 1,400-year old oak tree which provides a 17,000 square foot area of shade.

Although there are currently no major league professional sports teams in the city of Charleston, the city has several minor league teams. The Charleston RiverDogs are a Minor League Baseball Club playing in the South Atlantic League. The RiverDogs are the single-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The South Carolina Stingrays, who play in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), are an affiliate of the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals. The Charleston Battery is a pro soccer team playing in the United Soccer League (USL). They play their games at Blackbaud Stadium, the first privately-funded stadium in the United States devoted specifically to soccer. The newest addition to the Charleston pro sports scene is the Charleston Sandsharks, formerly of the National Indoor Football League, who will be playing their 2007 season as members of the World Indoor Football League.

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPop.Median Family
Income (2000)
Charleston96,650$48,705
Goose Creek29,208$47,937
Hanahan12,937$45,246
Hollywood3,946$35,406
Isle4,583$88,874
Mount Pleasant47,609$71,165
North Charleston79,641$32,868

High Points

Charleston strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in South Carolina):

CategoryTrophy
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)
Top 4%Charleston Public Transportation Use
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)
Top 6%Charleston Walking and Biking to Work
College Educated Adults
(vs. State)
Top 9%Charleston College Educated Adults
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)
Top 10%Charleston Well-Paid Single Women
Affordability of Property Taxes
(vs. Peers)
Top 14%Charleston Affordability of Property Taxes
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)
Top 16%Charleston Well-Paid Single Men
Median Family Income
(vs. State)
Top 17%Charleston Median Family Income


The listings in Charleston, South Carolina and surrounding areas provide the following services:

(7) Drug/Alcohol Detoxification
(3) Methadone Maintenance
(2) Methadone Detoxification
(20) Outpatient
(4) Women That Are Pregnant or Postpartum
(12) Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders
(10) Clients With Legal Issues
(4) Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment
(1) Short term Residential Care 30 Days or Less
(2) Residential Care Long-term 30 to 90 Days Treatment
(11) Teens and Adolescents
(7) Females
(1) Residential Beds for Children
(4) Males
(9) American Sign Language
(5) Mix of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
(6) Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders
(4) Hospital Inpatient
(1) Halfway House
(4) Spanish Speaking
(1) Mental Health Services
(1) Persons with HIV/AIDS



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Type of Treatment your looking for
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Are you battling an addiction to drugs or alcohol and live in Charleston, South Carolina? Do you have a friend or family member that is addicted to drugs or alcohol in Charleston and you don't know where to turn to for help? Addiction to any substance can be a very dark and lonely place, not just for the abuser but for anyone that cares about them. All hope is not lost; there are effective solutions out there. We can help you find an Alcohol Rehabilitation or Drug Treatment Center in Charleston that will be appropriate for your treatment needs.

A Drug Treatment or Alcohol Rehab Center in Charleston is a perfect solution for the treatment of drug addiction and alcoholism. Treatment will be geared towards helping the individual overcome their need to fix problems in their life with drugs and alcohol. Once they can grasp this, they will be able to cope with life situations more appropriately and resolve their problems without substances.

There are a variety of approaches to addiction treatment. Examples offered in Charleston are Outpatient Treatment, Long-term Rehab Centers, Short-term Drug Treatment Centers, Inpatient Drug Rehabilitation, support group meetings, drug counseling, halfway houses and sober living.

Alcohol Rehab or Drug Rehabilitation Centers in Charleston will target both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. Individuals are treated for physical addiction by undergoing a detoxification program in Charleston, South Carolina to assist with the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms which result when an addict discontinues use of a substance they are addicted to. Continued use of a psychoactive substance over time causes the brain to adapt to the presence of the drug, making the desired effect minimal. Physical tolerance to drugs such as heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine and alcohol develops in this way. Over time, more and more of the addictive drug is required to get the same effect. Quitting an addictive drug abruptly causes serious withdrawal symptoms, which may take the body weeks or months to return to normal function. Withdrawing from hardcore drugs such as heroin can cause extremely severe and painful withdrawal symptoms, which can last for quite some time.

A Drug Rehab or Alcohol Rehabilitation Facility in Charleston will be able to administer a professional detox as well as assistance with psychological issues. These underlying psychological issues are at the root of all drug and alcohol addiction problems. Addressing this head on will decrease the chances of relapse and increase the chances of a fully rehabilitated and contributing member of society. A Drug Rehab or Alcohol Treatment Facility in Charleston, SC. has proven to be the most successful method for treating an individual with a severe drug addiction problem. An Alcohol Rehabilitation or Drug Rehab Facility in Charleston, follows a rigid, comprehensive program to ensure a successful recovery. This program addresses every aspect of addiction and every area where the person could be having trouble.

To ensure a lasting recovery, the individual must gain the knowledge, abilities and "life tools" to change their behavior and reaction to situations. The individual's program will be focused on strategies for returning home to Charleston, from a Drug Rehabilitation or Alcohol Treatment Facility and even running into prior drug using friends or acquaintances in Charleston. Upon completion of their program, the individual will be able to deal with the reminders and triggers in Charleston which may have prompted their drug use, as these same triggers can produce psychological stressors. These psychological stressors, if not addressed, can make it very hard for an individual to control their response to drug using impulses. Research has shown that an addict shows changes in the way their brain functions after having discontinued using drugs and/or alcohol. Because of this, even an individual with the best of intentions may find it extremely hard to overcome drug addiction or alcoholism without professional addiction treatment.

So you can see that a recovering addict has a lot to deal with when deciding to kick the habit. With triggers, drug cravings, and changes in the way their brain functions due to habitual drug use, seeking help at an Alcohol Rehab or Drug Rehabilitation Facility to successfully recovery from drug and alcohol addiction is a no-brainer.

A person that is serious about the decision to get sober should enroll in an Alcohol Rehab or Drug Treatment Facility in Charleston, SC. Why fail again on your own? Why lose another friend or push a family member even further away? Why beg, cheat, and steal just to get drugs or alcohol, risking legal problems and jail time? You don't have to be depressed and unhappy because of excessive drug or alcohol use. There is help available, even for the most severe addicts.

Getting Help

Call toll free 855 Stop-Drugs (855-786-7378) and speak to a professional Registered Addiction Specialist or simply fill out the Charleston, South Caroli an Alcohol Rehabilitation or Drug Rehab Program request form and counselor will contact you shortly.

There are 6 local Alcohol Treatment and Drug Rehab Programs in Charleston, South Carolina. We have also provided 14 additional Drug Treatment and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers that are closest geographically to Charleston:

Center for Behavioral Health Charleston, SC
Primary Service: Alcohol Rehab and Drug Rehabilitation Program
Services Offered: Clients With Legal Issues, Methadone Detoxification, Drug/Alcohol Detoxification, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Methadone Maintenance, Outpatient, Women That Are Pregnant or Postpartum
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment
Charleston Center of Charleston County Charleston, SC
Primary Service: Drug Rehabilitation and Alcohol Treatment Facility
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, American Sign Language, Residential Beds for Children, Clients With Legal Issues, Methadone Detoxification, Drug/Alcohol Detoxification, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Methadone Maintenance, Males, Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment, Women That Are Pregnant or Postpartum, Residential Care Long-term 30 to 90 Days Treatment, Short term Residential Care 30 Days or Less, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid), Private health insurance, Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE)
Clinical Solutions of Charleston PA Charleston, SC
Primary Service: Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Facility
Services Offered: Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Mix of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Males, Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicare
Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC
Primary Service: Alcohol Treatment and Drug Rehab Facility
Services Offered: Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Drug/Alcohol Detoxification, Hospital Inpatient, Males, Outpatient, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid), Private health insurance
Palmetto Lowcountry Charleston, SC
Primary Service: Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Program
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Drug/Alcohol Detoxification, Hospital Inpatient, Mix of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicare, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid), Private health insurance, Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE)
Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center Charleston, SC
Primary Service: Drug Rehabilitation and Alcohol Treatment Center
Services Offered: Drug/Alcohol Detoxification, Halfway House, Hospital Inpatient, Mix of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Outpatient
Payment Forms Accepted: Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE)
Palmetto Lowcountry North Charleston, SC 0.4 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center
Services Offered: American Sign Language, Drug/Alcohol Detoxification, Hospital Inpatient, Mix of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid), Private health insurance, Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE)
437th Medical Group Charleston AFB, SC 5.8 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program
Services Offered: Mix of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Outpatient
Payment Forms Accepted: Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE)
Ernest E Kennedy Center Goose Creek, SC 24.2 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Facility
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, American Sign Language, Clients With Legal Issues, Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Outpatient
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid), Private health insurance, Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE)
Colleton Commission on Round O, SC 41.8 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Program
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Clients With Legal Issues, Outpatient, Women That Are Pregnant or Postpartum, Residential Care Long-term 30 to 90 Days Treatment, Spanish Speaking, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid), Private health insurance
Beaufort County Beaufort, SC 44.5 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Drug Treatment and Alcohol Rehab Facility
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, American Sign Language, Clients With Legal Issues, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Outpatient, Spanish Speaking, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid)
Behavioral Health Branch Parris Island, SC 49.0 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Drug Rehabilitation and Alcohol Rehab Facility
Services Offered: Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Outpatient
Georgetown County Georgetown, SC 53.3 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Alcohol Rehab and Drug Treatment Center
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, American Sign Language, Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Outpatient
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid), Private health insurance
Counseling Center of Georgetown Inc Georgetown, SC 54.3 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Drug and Alcohol Recovery Center
Services Offered: Clients With Legal Issues, Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Drug/Alcohol Detoxification, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Mental Health Services, Outpatient
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicare, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid), Private health insurance, Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE)
Clarendon Behavioral Health Services Manning, SC 54.7 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, American Sign Language, Clients With Legal Issues, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Outpatient, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid), Private health insurance, Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE)
Lighthouse Satellite Office of Hemingway, SC 57.0 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Drug Rehabilitation and Alcohol Treatment Program
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, American Sign Language, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Outpatient
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid
Williamsburg County Department on Kingstree, SC 57.0 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Alcohol Rehab and Drug Treatment Facility
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, American Sign Language, Clients With Legal Issues, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Outpatient, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, Private health insurance, Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE)
Clarendon Cty Commission on Alc Trt Manning, SC 57.0 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Faciltity
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, American Sign Language, Clients With Legal Issues, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Outpatient
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid), Private health insurance, Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE)
Recovery Concepts LLC Ridgeland, SC 62.3 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Alcohol Rehabilitation and Drug Treatment Program
Services Offered: Persons with HIV/AIDS, Methadone Maintenance, Males, Outpatient, Women That Are Pregnant or Postpartum, Spanish Speaking, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment
New Life Center Commission on Alcohol Hampton, SC 65.0 miles from Charleston
Primary Service: Alcohol and Drug Rehab Facility
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Clients With Legal Issues, Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Outpatient, Spanish Speaking
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid)

Did You Know? ...
Interesting Facts and Statistics:

The use of alcohol and tobacco, both legal substances, far outpaces the use of marijuana. This suggests that keeping marijuana illegal would reduce the availability and acceptability of the drug.

Intervention specialists can help you in the process of developing a plan of action that is uniquely suited to fit your individual circumstances. The interventionists can help your friend, coworker or loved one to get their lives back in order and to begin the process of overcoming their drug or alcohol addiction.

Cocaine is produced from coca leaves. These leaves are stripped from the plant and crushed, chopped, and/or pounded and mixed with a solution of alcohol, gasoline, kerosene, or some other solvent that will separate the cocaine from the leaves.

In 2006, an estimated 12.4 percent of persons aged 12 or older drove under the influence of alcohol at least once in the past year. This percentage has dropped since 2002, when it was 14.2 percent, and is significantly lower than 2005, when it was 13.0 percent. The 2006 estimate corresponds to 30.5 million persons.

Among adults aged 18 or older with MDE in the past year, 53.1 percent who received prescription medication for depression in the past year believed that the medication had helped "a lot" or "extremely." This is significantly higher than the percentage of those who saw or talked to a medical doctor or other professional who believed that this treatment helped "a lot" or "extremely" (39.8 percent).

The annual number of new daily smokers aged 12 to 17 decreased from 1.1 million in 1997 to 747,000 in 2000. This translates into a reduction from 3,000 per day to 2,000 per day in the number of teens who begin smoking on a daily basis.


The following survey was completed by residents of Charleston, South Carolina as part of the USNODRUGS monitoring program. The survey below is a representation of perceptual drug and alcohol usage rates in Charleston, South Carolina. We cannot guarantee complete accuracy, but our monitoring team uses the highest standards for survey compilation.
You do not have to answer all of the survey questions, you should only answer questions that are relevant to your thoughts and experiences.
Survey results as of February 1, 2012
Perception of marijuana in Charleston, South Carolina.
Do you believe that using marijuana can be harmful?
Maybe
No
Yes
80%
0%
20%
Marijuana use in Charleston, South Carolina.
Have you used marijuana in your lifetime?
No
Yes
76%
24%
Have you used marijuana in the past month?
No
Yes
94%
6%
Do you use marijuana regularly?
Maybe
No
Yes
11%
87%
2%
Perception of Alcohol in Charleston, South Carolina.
Do you believe that drinking alcohol can be harmful?
Maybe
No
Yes
0%
7%
93%
Have you had a binge drinking experience in the past month?
No
Yes
91%
9%
Do you consume alcohol daily?
Maybe
No
Yes
22%
76%
2%
How old were you when you first experimented with alcohol?
0-10
11-21
22-31
32 or older
8%
22%
47%
23%
What motivated you to use drugs or alcohol for the first time in Charleston, South Carolina?
Boredom
Curiousity
Drugs were all around
Family problem
Hopelessness
It was easy to get
None of the above
Peer Pressure
To fit in
Unhappiness
9%
13%
3%
5%
2%
0%
59%
2%
1%
6%
Most common first drug experience in Charleston, South Carolina?
Alcohol
Club Drug
Crack Cocaine
Ecstasy
Heroin
Inhalants
Marijuana
Meth
Over The Counter Drug
Powder Cocaine
Prescription Drug
Psychedelic Drug
18%
5%
3%
8%
2%
4%
15%
5%
8%
10%
13%
9%
Use of drugs and alcohol in Charleston, South Carolina schools.
Have you ever gone to school in Charleston, South Carolina under the influence of marijuana?
Maybe
No
Yes
0%
96%
4%
Have you ever gone to school in Charleston, South Carolina under the influence of alcohol?
Maybe
No
Yes
2%
96%
2%
What is the most common drug used in your school in Charleston, South Carolina?
Alcohol
Club Drug
Crack Cocaine
Ecstasy
Heroin
Inhalants
Marijuana
Meth
Over The Counter Drug
Powder Cocaine
Prescription Drug
Psychedelic Drug
23%
4%
2%
7%
2%
3%
14%
4%
11%
6%
14%
10%
Your Age?
0-10
11-21
22-31
32 or older
7%
18%
48%
27%
Your Gender?
Female
Male
84%
16%
Surveys updated monthly.

Please, do not fill out our drug and alcohol monitoring survey on this page if you do not live in Charleston, South Carolina.

Thanks for participating in our drug and alcohol abuse monitoring program.

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