Recovery Works Indiana: How to Access Free Addiction Treatment Through State Vouchers

Recovery Works is Indiana's most important state-funded treatment access program — and one of the best-kept secrets in the state's addiction treatment system. Thousands of Hoosiers who qualify for free treatment have never heard of it. Administered by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA), Recovery Works provides a voucher-based system that covers the full cost of addiction treatment for uninsured individuals involved with the criminal justice system.

This guide explains everything you need to know: who qualifies, what services are covered, how to apply step by step, how to find certified providers, and how Recovery Works fits into Indiana's broader landscape of treatment funding. For additional financial options, see our complete Indiana rehab cost guide.

What Is Recovery Works?

Recovery Works is a voucher-based treatment funding system established by House Enrolled Act 1006 in 2015 — Indiana's landmark criminal justice reform legislation. The program recognizes a stark reality in the state's justice system:

• 53% of Indiana state prison inmates have a diagnosed substance use disorder
• 75% of people who return to prison have a substance use disorder
• 16% of the current prison population has a diagnosed serious mental illness

Incarceration alone does not treat addiction — and untreated addiction drives recidivism. Recovery Works was designed to break this cycle by funding community-based treatment as an alternative to incarceration and as a bridge during reentry.

The program has two primary goals:

1. Pre-incarceration diversion: Redirect low-level drug offenders from jail or prison to community-based treatment services
2. Post-incarceration reentry: Provide treatment and recovery support to individuals leaving incarceration — with the explicit goal of reducing recidivism by 20%

Initial funding was $10 million in year one, expanding to $20 million in year two. The program has continued with ongoing legislative appropriations and has grown to serve thousands of justice-involved Hoosiers annually.

Who Is Eligible for Recovery Works Vouchers?

Eligibility requires meeting both of these criteria simultaneously:

Who can refer you: You cannot self-refer to Recovery Works. A referral must come from a criminal justice partner:

• Probation officers (most common referral source)
• Judges and magistrates
• Public defenders and prosecutors
• Community corrections officers
• Drug court and problem-solving court coordinators
• Reentry program staff and case managers
• Law enforcement (for pre-arrest diversion programs)

If you think you may be eligible, ask your probation officer, public defender, or the judge at your next court appearance about Recovery Works. Many eligible individuals are never told the program exists.

What Treatment Services Are Covered?

Recovery Works vouchers cover the full continuum of evidence-based addiction treatment — the same services available through private insurance or Medicaid, at no cost to the participant:

• Clinical assessment and evaluation: ASAM criteria-based assessment to determine appropriate level of care
• Medical detoxification: Supervised withdrawal management for alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and other substances
• Residential treatment: 30–90 day immersive programs with 24/7 support
• Outpatient counseling: Individual therapy, group therapy, and psychoeducation
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): 9+ hours/week of structured programming
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Buprenorphine (Suboxone), naltrexone (Vivitrol), and methadone — including medication costs, prescriber visits, and counseling
• Peer recovery coaching: One-on-one support from certified individuals with lived recovery experience
• Recovery residence placement: Certified Level 2–4 sober living homes (NARR standards). See our sober living guide for more details.
• Recovery support services: Transportation assistance, employment readiness, life skills training, and case management

How to Find a Certified Recovery Works Provider

Only DMHA-certified treatment providers can accept Recovery Works vouchers. Indiana has a statewide network of certified providers — concentrated in urban areas but present in most regions:

1. Visit the DMHA Recovery Works provider directory — searchable by county for both treatment providers and recovery residences
2. Ask your referral source: Your probation officer or drug court coordinator likely has relationships with local certified providers and can recommend programs
3. Browse our Indiana facility directory for additional treatment options and reviews
4. Call SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357 for additional referrals

The Application Process: Step by Step

Combining Recovery Works With Other Benefits

While in Recovery Works treatment, you may simultaneously access:

• Medicaid application assistance: If your income qualifies you for Indiana Medicaid (HIP), your provider can help you apply. Once approved, HIP becomes your primary coverage and Recovery Works becomes supplemental.
• Recovery residence placement: Vouchers fund housing in certified Level 2–4 recovery residences — providing stable sober housing during and after treatment.
• Employment support: Job readiness training, resume building, interview coaching, and connections with employers who hire people in recovery.
• Transportation assistance: Some Recovery Works providers offer transportation to and from treatment appointments — a critical support in rural Indiana where public transit is limited.
• Mental health treatment: For co-occurring mental health conditions (depression, PTSD, anxiety), integrated dual diagnosis treatment is covered under the voucher.

Success Stories and Outcomes

Recovery Works has demonstrated measurable impact since its launch:

• Thousands served: The program has funded treatment for thousands of justice-involved Hoosiers who would otherwise have had no access to care
• Recidivism reduction: The program's explicit goal of reducing recidivism by 20% addresses the revolving door between incarceration and untreated addiction — saving both lives and taxpayer dollars
• Cost effectiveness: Community-based treatment through Recovery Works costs a fraction of incarceration. The average annual cost of incarcerating one person in Indiana is approximately $24,000, while comprehensive outpatient treatment costs $3,000–$10,000.
• Expanded scope: Recovery Works has grown from its initial focus on post-incarceration reentry to include pre-incarceration diversion, recovery residence certification, and peer recovery support — creating a more comprehensive safety net

If you have criminal justice involvement and need treatment, Recovery Works may be your most direct path to recovery. Talk to your probation officer, public defender, or drug court coordinator. Contact the Recovery Works team directly for questions. And check whether you might have insurance coverage you don't know about — sometimes Medicaid eligibility changes with life circumstances.