How Much Does Rehab Cost?
When looking for substance abuse treatment centers, it’s important to look into the cost of addiction treatment and how you can pay for the program that you select. The cost of rehab will vary depending on the type of treatment and numerous other factors. General prices for different treatment settings are included below.
In the long run, an untreated addiction and its associated dangers can be more expensive than the drug rehab cost. Once you stop spending money on drugs, you can start to get your life and career together, avoid potential legal problems, and improve your health.
Detox
Detoxification, or detox, is the first step in the treatment process. Detox involves clearing the body of the substance being abused through prolonged abstinence.
When a person stops using a substance, they can experience a series of withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to deadly, depending on the substance. Having medical and psychological care throughout this process can be very important, especially for potentially life-threatening withdrawal syndromes, such alcohol and benzodiazepines. Detox programs may include medication assistance to help manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and make the detox experience more tolerable.
Detox can last anywhere from a couple days to several weeks. Some substances clear the body very quickly, whereas others take much longer to be completely eliminated.
Cost of detox: $600 – $1,000 per day 1
Inpatient
Inpatient or residential rehab programs involve a significant stay at a treatment facility for the duration of the program. These programs offer around-the-clock care that can make the detox and recovery process safer and more comfortable. They also provide a sober environment in which recovering people can focus entirely on healing.
Inpatient programs are generally available as 30-day, 60-day, or 90-day treatment programs. Every individual will work with an addiction treatment specialist to develop a plan that accommodates their individual needs.
Inpatient treatment tends to be more expensive than outpatient treatment. This cost difference is due to the differing levels of care that each program type can offer. Inpatient programs provide 24/7 care, housing, and meals, as well as extra amenities that vary by facility. These programs will also adjust cost per day depending on the length of treatment, with longer treatment costing less per day, on average.
Cost of inpatient drug rehab:1
- 30-day: $400-$900 per day
- 60-day: $300-$800 per day
- 90-day: $200-$700 per day
Outpatient
Outpatient rehab allows those in treatment to continue to live and sleep at home for the duration of treatment. Participation in outpatient rehabilitation requires regular check-ins with the program for scheduled treatment sessions and progress evaluations.
In some cases, continuing to live at home or in an environment conducive to substance abuse can be a challenge for maintaining abstinence, so outpatient treatment requires firm resolve, self-motivation, and a strong support system. These programs are generally not recommended for people struggling with a more severe addiction or those who have relapsed.
Outpatient substance abuse treatment can last anywhere from a month to over a year, depending on the treatment plan and level of care required. Some centers may offer an intensive outpatient treatment program (IOP), which is a type of outpatient treatment with a relatively intensive time commitment. In general, IOPs require more treatment sessions per week and keep recovering people more accountable for their sobriety.
The price of an outpatient program will vary by length and frequency of treatment, with more frequent treatment costing less per session.
Outpatient drug rehab cost: $100-$500 per treatment session 1
Factors That Affect Cost
Many programs will work with you to find a payment plan that fits your financial needs so you can get the treatment that you need.
The cost of a substance abuse treatment program will vary based on a number of factors.
- Location: Urban programs tend to cost more than rural ones. Don’t be afraid to travel for the best, most affordable care.
- Program type: Inpatient tends to cost more than outpatient, but the level of care is generally higher.
- Amenities: Luxurious treatment programs, which offer high-end amenities such as spas, horseback riding, massage, and personal trainers, cost more than standard treatment programs. Make sure to identify your needs.
- Length of treatment: The longer your treatment plan, the more the overall cost will be. However, many programs will work with you to find a payment plan that fits your financial needs so you can get the treatment that you need.
- Insurance coverage: Many insurance plans will cover some of the treatment costs, which can help lower your out-of-pocket expenses.
Paying
If you have insurance, it may cover some of the costs of substance abuse treatment. The coverage will depend on:
- Your insurance company/plan.
- The type of treatment you need.
- The program’s accepted insurance policies.
If you do not have insurance, you can still get help paying for substance abuse treatment. You can enroll in a government public insurance program during the open enrollment period or at any time during the year after a qualifying life event, such as a marriage or divorce, having a child, a job change or other change to personal income, or a recent move. You can also talk with the program about their financial policies, such as payment plans, sliding scale costs, and scholarship offerings.
You can also use substance abuse treatment financing. Paying for the cost of treatment with a credit card or healthcare loan can help you spread the payments out over time rather than paying it all out-of-pocket at once. Just be sure to pay these back relatively quickly, as the interest rates for these options tend to be high and may accrue a higher cost over time.
Free recovery support options also exist, such as 12-step programs and non-12-step options such as SMART Recovery. These are excellent supplements to formal treatment, and they can be extremely helpful as you wait to get into a program. There are also free substance abuse treatment programs, but they may have waiting lists. Participating in a free support program can help you kick-start your recovery and get through the waiting list period.
Sources
- American Addiction Centers. (2017).