Cost of alcohol rehab

Most frequently,people don’t seek treatment for alcohol addiction because of the cost. However, what many don’t realize is that the cost of alcohol rehab, in many cases, can be affordable or even free. We review the cost of alcohol rehab here and ways that you can minimize it.

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What is the cost of alcohol rehab?

The cost of alcohol rehab can range from free to affordable to exorbitantly high. There are a number of factors that will influence the final cost of alcohol rehab for you or your loved one.

1. Inpatient vs. outpatient rehab facilities – In general, inpatient rehab facilities will be more costly than outpatient alcohol treatment facilities, due to the residential accommodations they provide.

2. Length of treatment – The longer a person is in alcohol rehab, the more they will pay in the long run. For instance, short-term inpatient rehab will be less expensive than long-term inpatient rehab. 30 days or less in alcohol rehab costs less than 60 or 90 day programs.

3. Type of rehab facility – Private alcohol rehabilitation programs will usually be more expensive than those run by non-profit groups or subsidized by government programs. Additionally, smaller facilities are often more expensive than large facilities.

4. What kinds of treatment services are offered – Programs that offer treatment for dual diagnoses, such as alcohol addiction combined with depression treatment, will often be more costly than those that just focus on alcohol rehab. Also, luxury amenities and services, such as spas and therapeutic massages, will also increase the cost of alcohol rehab.

Average cost of alcohol rehab

In the United States, there have been a handful of surveys and studied conducted in an effort to pin down the average cost of alcohol rehab. One of these studies was published in Health Services Research, a bimonthly healthcare journal. The authors of this study found that the average cost of inpatient rehab was roughly $600 to $900 per week of treatment. Long-term inpatient rehab averaged a little less, at $600 to $700 per week.  However, other studies have associated an average cost of $4K or more to 28 day inpatient alcohol rehab programs.

The average cost of outpatient rehab has been estimated at anywhere from around $1400 per week to $140 per day (for 5 day week, at 10 weeks intensive treatment).

Low cost alcohol rehab

Alcohol rehab can be very expensive, and many individuals simply don’t have the money to pay for it outright. Fortunately, there are a number of different resources that can be used to find or lower the cost of alcohol rehab.

Most health insurance plans, for example, will cover part of the cost of alcohol rehab. While recovering alcoholics will be responsible for paying for the rest of the treatment, this can drastically reduce out-of-pocket costs. Some alcohol rehab facilities may also offer sliding scale fees. Individuals who qualify for this type of low cost alcohol rehab will typically only pay what they can afford. Their out-of pocket expense is usually determined by their income. Low cost alcohol rehab can also be found through government programs. In order to find a free or low cost alcohol rehab, you can go to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHS) website and search for a facility in your area.  Finally, you may be able to save money by using your stay in alcohol rehab as a medical deduction on your tax forms.  Consult with a qualified tax accountant for more information.

No cost alcohol rehab

According to the 2008 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, roughly 4% of facilities offer no cost alcohol rehab to everyone. Other facilities may also offer no cost alcohol rehab based on sliding scale fees.

Although they are a little harder to find, no cost alcohol rehab programs also exist. Twelve step programs, for instance, are free and may help many individuals who are ready to overcome their drinking problem. Non-profit and religious organizations in your area may also offer no cost alcohol rehab to individuals in need.

Cost of alcohol rehab questions

Budgeting to pay for alcohol rehab can be an overwhelming and frustrating experience. After reading this article, however, we hope that you’re finding a little solace in the fact that there is help out there. If you’d like to share your experiences or have any cost of alcohol rehab questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. We look forward to helping you or a loved one break free from addiction to alcohol.

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: Benefit-Cost in the California Treatment Outcome Project: Does Substance Abuse Treatment “Pay for Itself”?
Children Welfare: Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders
CASA Columbia: Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders
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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