Cost of alcohol treatment programs

Are you or is a loved one struggling with an alcohol addiction? Are you ready for treatment but not sure how to pay? In this article, we’ll look at the average cost of alcohol treatment programs and how you can afford them. Then, we invite your questions about alcohol treatment at the end.

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What’s the cost of alcohol treatment programs?

A range of different factors will influence the cost of treatment programs. By considering each of these factors, you’ll be able to find a treatment program that suits your needs and fits into your budget.  The cost of alcohol treatment programs depends on:

  • Inpatient vs. outpatient programs-In most cases, outpatient alcohol treatment programs are much more affordable than inpatient alcohol treatment programs. However, it’s important to keep in mind that inpatient residential programs may be more effective and have higher success rates.
  • Luxury vs. basic-Alcohol rehab treatment programs that offer additional services, such as spa services or medical detox, will be more expensive than those that do not.
  • Size of the treatment center-Some studies suggest that smaller rehab facilities are actually a little more expensive than much larger facilities.
  • The use of prescription medications-The cost of alcohol treatment programs will be higher for recovering alcoholics that require medications such as naltrexone, antidepressants, or anti anxiety pills during their treatment.
  • Time spent in treatment-The length of time that individuals spend in alcohol rehab programs will have a profound impact on the final cost of treatment.  Alcohol treatment programs that are 30 days or less are less expensive than longer term residential treatment programs.

Average cost of alcohol treatment programs

In the United States, the average cost of alcohol treatment programs can be a bit difficult to determine, particularly since little research has been done on the subject. However, we’ve managed to collect some estimates from a study published in Health Services Research, a healthcare journal. According to this study, the average weekly costs of alcohol treatment programs were estimated at:

  • Short term residential treatment: $800 per week
  • Long term residential treatment:  $670 per week
  • Outpatient treatment:: $140 per week

However, another study estimated the cost of alcohol treatment to be much higher, around$135 per day for outpatient treatment and $715 per day for inpatient treatment.

Low cost alcohol treatment programs

If you’re looking for low cost alcohol rehab programs, don’t let the seemingly high numbers discourage you. There are several resources that you can use to help cover the cost of alcohol treatment programs. The find low cost alcohol treatment programs, seek:

1. Federal tax deductions-You may be able o deduct the cost of alcohol treatment from your taxes, especially if you pay 10% or more of your income to expenses related to treatment.  Ask for help and clarification on tax deductions from a certified tax accountant.
2. Government and non-profit groups-One of the best ways to find low cost alcohol treatment programs is to contact government and non-profit groups. Some have programs in place that help needy individuals get cheap alcohol treatment.
3. Medical health insurance-Some health insurance providers will agree to cover at least some of the costs of alcohol treatment programs. This can greatly reduce the amount of money that you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
4. Sliding scale fees-Instead of charging everyone the same amount of money for their services, alcohol treatment programs also charge individuals based on sliding scale fees. With these sliding scale fees, factors such as you income and expenses are taken into consideration, and you mat be offered a reduced cost.

No cost alcohol treatment programs

If you can’t afford alcohol treatment, don’t give up hope. You may be able to find no cost alcohol treatment programs that don’t require you to pay a dime. Non-profit groups such as the Salvation Army, for instance, offer free drug and alcohol rehab to anyone who needs it. You may also be able to locate other free alcohol treatment programs by searching on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website. In some cases, you may qualify for government medical assistance, which can help you find no cost alcohol treatment programs as well.

Cost of alcohol treatment programs

Now that you understand a little more about the cost of alcohol treatment programs, it’s time to speak up. Are you still concerned that you can’t afford treatment? Want to share you experience? Let us know in the comments section below.  We try to respond to each question personally and promptly.

Reference Sources:  SAMHSA: Free Treatment Available
NCBI: The Economic Costs of Substance Abuse Treatment: Updated Estimates and Cost Bands for Program Assessment and Reimbursement
NCBI: Child Welfare: Benefit-Cost in the California Treatment Outcome Project: Does Substance Abuse Treatment “Pay for Itself”?
Child Welfare: Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders
CASA Columbia: Addiction Medicine: Closing the Gap between Science and Practice
SAMHSA: Free Substance Abuse Treatment
The Addiction Recovery Guide: Residential Treatment Centers
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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