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Best Addiction Counselors in Wilmington, NC (2026)

23 addiction counselors ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Best overall in Wilmington: Drug & Alcohol Assessment Services, RP Score 73/100; 5.0★ from 116 Google reviews.

  2. 6

    Most-reviewed: Wilmington Treatment Center, 527 Google reviews at 3.8★, the most of 23 ranked; ranked #6.

Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

23 Wilmington addiction counselors are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 12 open Saturdays and 6 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.2★ across 23 rated practices.

Top 10 addiction counselors in Wilmington at a glance

Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.

Top 10 addiction counselors in Wilmington at a glance
RankBusinessRP ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursBest for
1Drug & Alcohol Assessment Services735.0★ (116)Wilmington—Overall
2Brighter Start Health - Addiction Treatment Center in Wilmington, NC724.6★ (112)WilmingtonSat · Sun · Evenings—
3Reflections of Hope, LLP724.5★ (16)WilmingtonSat—
4Atlantic DWI675.0★ (3)Wilmington——
5Tree House Recovery NC665.0★ (38)WilmingtonSat · Sun · Evenings—
6Wilmington Treatment Center653.8★ (527)WilmingtonSat · Sun · EveningsMost reviews
7Momentum Recovery644.0★ (48)WilmingtonSat · Sun · Evenings—
8New Hope DWI Services634.9★ (173)WilmingtonSat · Evenings—
9Zanker Counseling Services & Music-Arts A Plus. James A. Zanker, MA, LCMHC, NCC, LCAS614.4★ (13)WilmingtonSat · Sun · Evenings—
10Precise Psychological and Addiction Services594.0★ (4)Wilmington——

The 23 best addiction counselors in Wilmington, ranked

Ordered by RP Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.

Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.

Scores below: based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.

  3. #3 Reflections of Hope, LLP

    Based in Wilmington

    72/100RP Score

    Ranked #3 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Addiction treatment center”, 4.5★ from 16 Google reviews.

    • 4.5★ from 16 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 5:30 AM–1:30 PM · Sat 6 AM–9 PM · Sun closed
    Address
    33 Darlington Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403
    View profile for Reflections of Hope, LLP(910) 782-8752

  4. #4 Atlantic DWI

    Based in Wilmington

    67/100RP Score

    Ranked #4 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Addiction treatment center”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.

    • 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    4620 Cedar Ave #117, Wilmington, NC 28403
    View profile for Atlantic DWI(910) 805-9551

  21. #21 POSITIVE LIFE CHANGES

    Based in Jacksonville, 50 mi away

    41/100RP Score

    Ranked #21 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.4★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mental health service”.

    • 3.4★ from 10 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:45 AM–5 PM · Sat 9 AM–5 PM · Sun closed
    Address
    2424 Commerce Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28546
    View profile for POSITIVE LIFE CHANGES(252) 557-0444

  23. #23 Palms Wellness Center

    Based in Jacksonville, 49 mi away

    38/100RP Score

    Ranked #23 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.6★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mental health service”.

    • 4.6★ from 10 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Wed 11 AM–6 PM · Thu–Sun closed
    Address
    472 Western Blvd D, Jacksonville, NC 28546
    View profile for Palms Wellness Center(910) 238-4513

Also serving Wilmington

5 more addiction counselors within 50 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.

Unranked addiction counselors serving Wilmington
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Addiction Services Of Coastal Carolina5.0★ (2)47 mi
Creative Intelligence Services5.0★ (1)In Wilmington
Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program Camp Lejeune5.0★ (2)45 mi
SuCoree Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatments49 mi
Tab Ballis LCSW, LCAS, CCS5.0★ (1)In Wilmington

How we ranked Wilmington addiction counselors

We scored 23 Wilmington addiction counselors on eight factors, weighted as shown. A practice is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

RP Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Wilmington data
Reputation25%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back itMeasured
Review volume5%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the listMeasured
Recency5%Share of Google reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Availability10%Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availabilityMeasured
Specialty focus25%How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity15%Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same)Measured
Partnered5%The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodicallyMeasured

How to choose an addiction counselor

  1. Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
  2. Make sure addiction counseling is a regular part of their work, and ask what approach they use and why.
  3. Ask which credential the counselor holds (for example a state addiction counselor certification, LPC or LCSW).
  4. Ask whether they work with a physician if medication for addiction treatment is part of your plan.
  5. Ask about fees, insurance and the cancellation policy before the first session. In the US, if you are uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a good faith estimate of expected charges.
  6. Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
  7. After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.

Questions to ask an addiction counselor

  • Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
  • Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
  • How much of your work is addiction counseling?
  • Do you offer individual sessions, groups or an intensive outpatient program?
  • What do you charge per session, and do you take my insurance or provide a superbill?
  • Do you offer online sessions?
  • What is your cancellation policy?
  • What do you keep confidential, and when would you have to share information?

Terms explained

PhD / PsyD
Doctoral degrees in psychology. A PhD usually has a stronger research focus, a PsyD a stronger clinical focus; both can lead to a psychologist license.
Licensed psychologist
A person licensed by a state or provincial psychology board to practice psychology. The title is protected by law.
Psychological associate
In some states and provinces, a master’s-level practitioner licensed or registered by the psychology board, often with supervision requirements.
LPC / LMHC / LCPC
US licenses for professional or mental health counselors (the name differs by state). They provide counseling and therapy.
LCSW
Licensed clinical social worker: a master’s-level social worker licensed to provide therapy.
LMFT
Licensed marriage and family therapist: licensed to treat individuals, couples and families with a focus on relationships.
RP / RCC
Registered psychotherapist (Ontario) and registered clinical counsellor (British Columbia): Canadian titles for licensed therapy providers.
PSYPACT
An interstate agreement that lets psychologists licensed in a member state provide telepsychology to clients in other member states once they hold the required authorization.
Telehealth
Sessions held by secure video or phone instead of in person. The provider generally needs to be licensed where the client is located.
CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy: a structured talk therapy that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and behavior.
DBT
Dialectical behavior therapy: a form of CBT that teaches skills for managing intense emotions and relationships.
ERP
Exposure and response prevention: a form of CBT used for OCD.

Addiction counselors in Wilmington: frequently asked questions

Who is the best addiction counselor in Wilmington?

By RP Score, the highest-ranked addiction counselor in Wilmington, NC is Drug & Alcohol Assessment Services with an RP Score of 73/100. It has 5.0★ from 116 Google reviews. Brighter Start Health - Addiction Treatment Center in Wilmington, NC (#2) and Reflections of Hope, LLP (#3) follow. We ranked 23 addiction counselors on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many addiction counselors are there in Wilmington?

RankedPsychologists ranks 23 addiction counselors serving Wilmington, NC. 17 of them are based in Wilmington; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 5 within 50 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

What should I do if I need help right now?

In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 (US and Canada), any time. In an emergency, call 911. This site cannot help in an emergency.

Which addiction counselors in Wilmington work on weekends?

12 of 23 ranked addiction counselors post Saturday hours and 6 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Brighter Start Health - Addiction Treatment Center in Wilmington, NC (#2), Reflections of Hope, LLP (#3) and Tree House Recovery NC (#5). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.

What Google rating do Wilmington addiction counselors have?

The median Google rating among 23 rated addiction counselors in Wilmington is 4.2★, with a median of 19 reviews. Wilmington Treatment Center has the most, 527 reviews, and ranks #6. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.

How does RankedPsychologists rank addiction counselors?

Each addiction counselor gets a 0–100 RP Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (25%), specialty focus (25%), proximity (15%) and availability (10%). A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only practices with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.

Do addiction counselors outside Wilmington count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 50 mi of the Wilmington city center, our service radius for addiction counselors. Each listing shows where the practice is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 15% of the RP Score, so a nearby practice gets a small edge.

Can addiction counselors pay to rank higher on RankedPsychologists?

No. The RP Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured practices may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.

How are addiction counselors in Wilmington ranked?

Each practice gets an RP Score from 0 to 100 from 8 published factors, including its Google rating, how clearly it focuses on addiction counseling and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.

What is the difference between outpatient addiction counseling and rehab?

Outpatient counseling means regular sessions while you live at home and keep working; intensive outpatient programs meet several times a week. Residential rehab and medical detox happen in a facility. Withdrawal from alcohol and some drugs can be medically dangerous, so speak to a doctor before stopping if you drink or use heavily every day.

Can I see an addiction counselor online?

Often, yes. Licensing generally follows where you are during the session, so the provider needs to be licensed or authorized there. In the US, psychologists in PSYPACT member states can offer telepsychology to clients in other member states; counselors and social workers have their own rules. In Canada, ask whether the provider is registered in your province.

What if I need help right now?

Do not wait for a consultation. Call or text 988 (US and Canada) if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, at any time. In an emergency, call 911.

Update log for Wilmington

  1. November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 23 addiction counselors serving Wilmington.

More addiction counselors and Wilmington pages