With the rising costs of medical care in the US, in addition to other expenses, many people are considering whether to forgo certain treatments. This hesitancy from consumers is increased by the fact that not all insurance plans have adjusted well to the increased cost of medical care.
According to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the out-of-pocket costs for those with private healthcare over the past 20 years has far surpassed those with Medicare and Medicaid plans.
And as of 2015, people with private healthcare plans on average, expect to pay $8,000 more on an inpatient hospital stay than those with a Medicare plan and almost 11,000 more than those with Medicaid.
Updated Costs of Residential Inpatient Treatment
Detox
Medical detox is a treatment that revolves around helping patients to clear their bodies of harmful substances and alleviate the discomfort of acute withdrawal symptoms. Studies found that the cost of a 30-day detox inpatient detox in the United States ranges from $7500 – $24,000.2
Residential Inpatient Addiction Treatment
Residential inpatient treatment is an intensive stage of addiction treatment. These programs can vary from a single month to several months. The cost of an inpatient program ranges from $2000-$20,000 or more, depending on the length of stay.3
Free Addiction Treatment Programs
Many states offer free or highly reduced rehabilitation treatment for those who can prove lack of income and insurance. These are programs are commonly funded through government grants and serve as a crucial service to those who need addiction treatment but can’t afford the steep cost.
Types of Treatment for Drug Abuse
Inpatient Drug Rehab Program
Inpatient treatment programs tend last between 30-to-90-days. People who enter inpatient and other residential programs live in a medical facility or a recovery house for the duration of their treatment. While in inpatient treatment, individuals benefit from:
- Medical assessment and treatment plans
- 2/47 Medical support from highly trained staff
- Medical detox support services (including medication management)
- Access to evidence-based therapies (family therapy and group counseling, 12 step and behavioral therapies)
- Workshops and recreational resources
- Dietary and nutritional support
- The ability to socially engage with others in recovery
While many people suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) would benefit from an inpatient residential rehab, the cost of an average inpatient program is significantly greater than traditional outpatient or intensive outpatient programs (OP’s and IOP’s respectively).
Outpatient Drug Rehab Program
In outpatient rehab, individuals attend treatment while staying at home. This flexible and affordable treatment has no set end date, a low weekly commitment and provides vital drug addiction resources such as:
- Access to evidence-based therapies such as behavioral and family therapies.
- Medication assistance
- Outpatient detox services
- Access to group counseling support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP’s)
Intensive outpatient programs serve as a bridge between inpatient treatment and traditional outpatient treatment. These programs are also beneficial for those who must still work during the day and don’t need 24-hour medical support. These programs offer:
- Treatments starting at 9 hours a week are split up into 3-hour sessions
- Treatment with no set end dates
- A program that is cheaper than most inpatient or residential treatments
- Additional support for people with co-occurring mental disorders
- Treatment plans that are adjustable based on the person’s needs
- Access to evidence-based treatments and group counseling
- Addiction education and craving management
- Emphasis on improving social and career development skills
What Drugs Do These Drug Abuse Programs Cover?
Depending on the provider, you may encounter both addiction programs that are equipped to provide broad coverage for various types of substance use disorders and some that specialize in certain addictions like alcohol or opioids.
Another aspect of treatment you want to consider is the intensity of the program. Starting at the highest level of addiction treatment: Inpatient programs are recommended for people who have severe addiction symptoms in addition to those with other underlying mental health concerns.
Traditional outpatient programs are designed for people, who have less-severe addictions, live in stable home environments, or are stepping down from a higher level of treatment such as a residential program, an intensive outpatient program (IOP), or a partial hospitalization program (PHP).
Drug Abuse Treatment Plans
One important benefit of drug and alcohol treatment is the ability to work with addiction professionals to develop a personalized treatment plan. As part of this treatment plan a specialist may help you identify:
- The severity of your addiction and your overall health
- Your patterns of use and personal triggers
- Treatment goals
- Any barriers to treatment success
- Treatment progress and achievement success
- What the next stage of addiction treatment should be
Is it Worth Going to a Drug Rehab Program?
If you or a loved one is struggling with a drug and alcohol addiction, the longer you wait, the more difficult the recovery process becomes. Those who continue to use place themselves at risk for health, financial, legal and family problems down the road.
Some may cite the financial cost of addiction treatment as a good reason to forgo treatment but many of these financial barriers can be overcome. By going through your insurance, these costs can be significantly offset and thanks to the Affordable Care Act, which mandated insurance coverage of mental health treatment, getting help paying for the cost of treatment has never been easier.
Finally, with options like traditional outpatient and IOPs, individuals can continue to hold down a job while paying significantly less for a treatment program that provides access to many of the same services as a residential inpatient program would.
If you or a loved one is seeking information on addiction or mental health resources please call (888) 564-4780.