The truth is, most people who struggle with addiction do not have the funds to cover the cost of drug rehabilitation. More often than not either health insurance coverage or loved ones aid in covering the associated costs. However, most people don’t know how much to plan to spend on treatment when they first begin looking for a program. Usually, their assumption is much higher than reality.
Your bank account should not determine whether you or your loved one receives the proper treatment for addiction.
One of the most common reasons people struggling with addiction don’t go into treatment – even when they are willing to enter a program – is due to lack of funds or lack of health insurance.
The Reality of How Much Treatment Costs
While there are many luxury treatment options available to you, there are also many treatment options that are more budget-friendly. The luxury options may cost clients thousands of dollars a week, yet there are other programs that operate on a sliding payment scale or provide financing options, as well as scholarship programs.
Since the cost of drug rehabilitation varies so widely among programs, one of the necessary steps prior to choosing a facility is to speak to each treatment center individually to find out the varying costs and payment plans available. Recovery is invaluable; ensuring the level of care is equally important to finding a cost-effective rehabilitation program.
What determines the cost of a drug rehabilitation program?
Some users will argue that they can become sober on their own. Even though it is possible, statistics say otherwise. Attending an inpatient program has been shown to result in clients that are much less likely to relapse and much more likely to achieve long-term sobriety.
Studies show that inpatient rehabilitation programs for cocaine (crack) addiction, for example, generally see around one out of every four patient return due to relapse. This number is much higher among those who do not complete inpatient treatment.
In addition to this, statistics show the number of arrests generally diminishes completely for those who have attended an inpatient rehab. While this form of treatment has been proven effective, there are still those who decide not to seek professional help. Program cost is one reason cited by many as a barrier to entering recovery. However, some clients are surprised to learn what really determines the cost of drug rehabilitation, as shown below:
- The level of care. When the treatment center is more intensive, cost increases accordingly. Even though this means the total expense may be higher, inpatient treatment centers that have a full medical staff tend to have a better success rate than the majority of outpatient programs. It is highly beneficial for the the clients to have a place to reside and to be able to focus solely on their recovery.
- The duration of treatment. A long-term residential program will cost more than shorter programs lasting only a week or two. However, longer term programs also tend to have a much higher success rate than short-term programs.
- Staffing. The cost of personnel is directly related to the total cost of treatment, and is generally the most significant expense for drug treatment centers. A quality facility understands the more quality staff they employ, the better care they can offer their clients. In addition, rehabilitation centers staff highly trained individuals who comprehend how to properly treat addiction.
- Geographical location. The location of the drug treatment center can also have an impact on the cost. If the facility is in a highly desirable location, such as on the beach, then you can expect to pay more for the treatment received there. Facilities that lack these luxurious views could offer the same quality treatment, but at a far more cost-effective rate. Generally speaking, when referencing recovery, the priority will be focusing on yourself and your recovery – a spectacular scenery is simply an added bonus if affordable.
- Source of funding. If you choose to begin rehabilitation in a state-funded or non-profit program, you can expect to pay much less for the treatment than luxury or private programs. This is because state-funded and nonprofit programs typically do not have as high of overhead costs as privately funded programs because they receive grants and government assistance to alleviate some of the costs of treatment. However, according to some, these less-expensive programs may not be able to offer the same level of care that other programs can provide, as they are often under-staffed and filled to capacity nearly all of the time.
Why is an inpatient program so crucial to sustained recovery?
While inpatient programs are more expensive than outpatient treatment, it does not mean you should simply settle for the less costly option, instead. Research shows that recovery is much less effective when the individual is not completely removed from the environment in which they were abusing the substance. Inpatient treatment offers the client the chance to get away from their current situation without the constant worry of outside distractions. This allows for time to really take a look at themselves and see why they turned to drug use in the first place.
Choosing not to get help for addiction just is not an option.
The biggest barrier to obtaining effective treatment for drug addiction is rarely the cost of the rehabilitation program itself, but rather a lack of information or resources regarding where to find the right program or facility that will work with your budget.
Quite often the facility’s intake counselors can develop payment plans, working together with families to ensure treatment is, indeed, affordable. In addition to this, many insurance providers may cover a portion of treatment, so discovering the total amount of financial responsibility is necessary information.
When discussing the cost of drug rehabilitation, it is important to remember doing nothing at all is not an option. Addiction does not go away on its own and often becomes fatal. It will not become better over time, only worse. Rehabilitation programs do require a hefty investment of time, money and emotional wealth, but the inevitable problems facing those continuing to struggle with active addiction will end up costing you so much more.