Acadia Healthcare (Nasdaq: ACHC), a national leader in behavioral health services, is accelerating its 2024 growth strategy with the acquisition of three new opioid treatment centers in North Carolina. This significant move brings Acadia’s total number of comprehensive treatment centers (CTCs) in the state to 10, reinforcing the company’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality, evidence-based care for individuals struggling with opioid use disorders (OUDs).
The newly acquired centers are located in Raleigh, Greenville, and Hillsborough—three communities where treatment demand continues to grow. These facilities deliver integrated care through a combination of behavioral therapy and medications for opioid use disorders (MOUDs), offering a full continuum of outpatient services. Programs at these centers include individual and group counseling, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), all designed to support lasting recovery.
Strategic Expansion Amid Historic Funding Opportunities
Acadia’s strategic expansion is driven by what it calls a “historic” opportunity to close treatment gaps amid increased funding from State Opioid Response (SOR) grants and opioid settlement funds. Dr. Nasser Khan, operations group president for Acadia’s CTC division, noted that these funds give states and counties flexibility to support local treatment initiatives, making it an ideal time for private-sector providers to step up and expand access. By investing in more opioid treatment centers in North Carolina, Acadia is responding directly to the urgent need for expanded services.
Data-Driven Partnerships with University of North Carolina
To ensure its expansion is both data-driven and community-informed, Acadia partnered with the University of North Carolina’s Center for the Business of Health. Together, they analyzed treatment access gaps and identified key regions where services were lacking. Acadia also provides financial support to UNC, enabling independent research that guides strategic, high-ROI investments into the communities most affected by the opioid epidemic. “[UNC brought] rigorous, independent thinking on how to deploy resources where they’re needed most,” said Khan.
Innovative Care Models and Mobile Treatment Vans
These new opioid treatment centers in North Carolina are not only strategically located but will also serve as hubs for Acadia’s innovative mobile opioid treatment vans. These mobile units extend services to rural and underserved populations, reducing barriers such as transportation and stigma. The centers will also benefit from recent updates to the federal 42 CFR Part 8 rule, which simplify access to care and increase provider flexibility. Acadia plans to integrate additional medication units to further expand treatment capacity and reach.
Favorable Regulatory Environment in North Carolina
According to Khan, the financial maturity of these new centers is expected in two to three years—a timeline that varies depending on local regulatory and reimbursement landscapes. North Carolina’s progressive approach to behavioral health, including its expansion of Medicaid, makes it particularly favorable for providers seeking to deliver broad and equitable access to care. “North Carolina has been really progressive and one of the more recent states to expand Medicaid,” Khan said. “That goes hand-in-hand with our mission to expand care.”
Alignment with Acadia’s 2024 Growth Strategy
These acquisitions also align with Acadia’s broader 2024 strategy, which includes doubling its historical pace of de novo facility openings—from six to 14 this year. By increasing both acquisitions and new facility development, the company aims to scale its reach nationwide. With these latest additions, Acadia now operates 160 CTCs as part of its 253 behavioral health facilities in 38 states and Puerto Rico, serving over 75,000 patients each day.
“These acquisitions build upon our existing and strong clinical foundation within the state of North Carolina,” said Chris Hunter, CEO of Acadia Healthcare. “The facilities are fully operational with strong track records of positive patient outcomes.”
Meeting the Challenge of the Opioid Epidemic
As the opioid epidemic continues to challenge communities across the U.S., Acadia Healthcare is responding with bold investment in infrastructure, partnerships, and patient-first models of care. The new opioid treatment centers in North Carolina exemplify how strategic collaboration, funding opportunities, and innovation can come together to address one of the nation’s most pressing health crises.
With this expansion, Acadia is reaffirming its leadership in behavioral health—and showing that a targeted, compassionate approach to care can make a meaningful difference. For individuals and families affected by addiction, the growth of opioid treatment centers in North Carolina represents not just increased access—but renewed hope for recovery.
