How much does alcohol rehab cost?

Completing an alcohol rehab program can increases your chances for long term success in recovery. But alcohol rehab can be expensive. To find out how much alcohol rehab costs and ways to pay for it, keep reading here.

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What is the cost of alcohol rehab?

The price range of alcohol rehab programs is wide. Typically, the actual cost of alcohol rehab will depend on a number of different factors, including some of those which are listed below.

  • #1 Type of alcohol rehab facility

Public alcohol rehab facilities, such as those that are run by the government and non-profit organizations, are usually more affordable than private alcohol rehab facilities. Private alcohol rehab can include basic inpatient settings or luxury facilities that offer spa-like amenities.

  • #2 Outpatient vs. inpatient alcohol rehab

The cost of inpatient/residential alcohol rehab is generally higher than outpatient alcohol rehab. This increased cost is necessary in order to cover the expense of housing recovering alcoholics during treatment.

  • #3 Treatment methods

Some treatment methods will increase the cost of alcohol rehab. For example, rapid detox services can increase the overall cost of alcohol rehab by $5,000 or more.  Additionally, medications, visits to specialists, and/or alternative treatment methods can increase the final cost of alcohol rehab.

  • #4 Duration

The length of time a person spends in an alcohol rehab program will also have an impact on the final cost of alcohol rehab. Not surprisingly, long-term alcohol rehab programs of three months or more may be slightly more effective, but are also more expensive.

How much does inpatient alcohol rehab cost?

Inpatient rehab programs are generally one of the more expensive types of alcohol rehab. The cost of this type of rehab must include the price for accommodations, such as a bed and daily meals. According to one study, the average daily cost of alcohol rehab was estimated to be $715 per day.

How much does outpatient alcohol rehab cost?

Outpatient alcohol rehab will usually be much more affordable than inpatient treatment, since it’s not necessary to include room and board. The average daily cost of traditional outpatient alcohol rehab was estimated to be $135, while the average cost of intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment was estimated a bit higher.

How much does alcohol rehab cost without insurance?

Health insurance can be a great way to help lower the cost of alcohol rehab, and more than half of all alcohol rehabs accept private insurance. However, not everyone has health insurance. Fortunately, there are a number of resources that can be used to help cover alcohol rehab costs without insurance.

First, many facilities operate with sliding scale fees. This means that recovering alcoholics are only usually required to pay what they can reasonably afford for treatment. Fees are generally calculated based on your income, but some facilities also take your household size and expenses into consideration as well. A list of rehab facilities that offer sliding scale fees or other types of assistance can be found using the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website.

If you have a low income, you may also qualify for government medical assistance, which will usually cover alcohol rehab. Medicare or Medicaid may be used in some situations when care for alcohol addiction is required. You can find out if you’re eligible for medical assistance by contacting your county’s assistance office or a local hospital.   Finally, you may be able to seek a payment plan directly with the alcohol rehab.  Paying directly often lowers fees significantly and can ensure that you get the treatment that you need.

Reference Sources: NCBI:  The Economic Costs of Substance Abuse Treatment: Updated Estimates and Cost Bands for Program Assessment and Reimbursement
SAMHSA:  Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
SAMHSA:  Acceptance of Private Health Insurance in Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
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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