Alcohol rehabilitation programs: Free vs. paid

Worried about paying for rehab? A review of alternative payment options for alcohol rehabilitation, with a section at the end for your questions.

5
minute read

If you’re worried about how you’re going to pay for alcohol rehab, you’re not alone. In fact, many people face the challenge of lack of sources needed to pay for appropriate addiction treatment.

But the good news is that there are services that can match everyone’s financial status and needs. Here, we explore the options you have for financing alcohol rehab. At the end, we invite you to ask questions about paid treatment or finding low-cost rehab program. We try to respond to all questions personally and promptly.

Options for alcohol rehabilitation payment

What are the options for financing alcohol rehabilitation? To begin, we recommend that you avoid making quick decisions when entering treatment. Do your full research to explore all the options for financing alcohol treatment. A good plan can help you get back on the road to recovery. Some ideas include:

1. Loans from friends or family.

A loan is one of the options to consider if you find it challenging to  cover all the costs required for the chosen treatment (inpatient or outpatient). Personal loans or mortgage refinancing taken from a bank can help you cover the full sum, but can also lead to financial loss. Crowd funded campaigns or fundraising among friends and family may be a better long-term option, especially if you are serious about getting better.

2. Financing from the rehab program itself.

Many alcohol treatment providers offer their own financing to potential individuals. This financing may originate directly from the rehab program, or the center may work with third-party lenders to create affordable loan packages for its clients. Check out the alcohol rehabilitation program you’re interested in, and speak to their financing department about the existing options.

3. Your savings.

Overcoming a problem with alcoholism that has been destroying your life can be the best financial decision for your future. If you have enough savings, it is recommended to consult with financial advisor, to see how to manage the payment best. You should speak to a trusted financial advisor to see if this is an option for you. Maybe s/he will suggest to cover part of the sum with the savings and part to be loan taken from the treatment center or a bank.

4. Sale of assets.

While this may seem hard at the beginning, in some cases selling personal assets may help you raise enough funds to complete the sum for the entire program.

5. Insurance or Medicaid.

If you qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, you may be able to receive detoxification and withdrawal treatment at no cost to you.

Even if you have insurance, alcohol rehab can be expensive and you may not be able to cover all costs. Check with your medical insurance policy for all the details about what is covered and what isn’t. If your coverage isn’’t adequate, speak with the treatment provider about covering direct costs.

Where to find low-cost or free alcohol rehab programs?

Even if you cannot locate sources of financing for treatment, you can still get into treatment. One of the options is to contact your state’s department of health and social services and look into programs that work with federal vouchers or state funding. While these programs may be located miles away from home, change can be good. Specifically, look for outpatient treatment programs in order to save some costs on food and housing.

On the other hand, there are many rehab centers that offer free services to people with no insurance. Some facilities offer them for free, while others may subsidize alcohol rehab based on your income. Sponsorship or scholarships can also be found via private foundations. Do some searching on the internet and speak with social workers, addiction counselors, and community leaders to identify possible sources of help.

Further, many faith-based groups and some nonprofit organizations offer free services for people with no money who need help to overcome alcohol addiction. These groups offer temporary housing programs which are usually free.

How to qualify for state supported alcohol rehab programs

These facilities are oriented to people that live in poverty, have lower incomes, do not have a quality health insurance plan or for any other reason cannot afford paying for addiction treatment. As the name itself suggests, these alcohol rehab centers are funded by the state. If a person does not have insurance or cannot pay for the overall costs necessary, they can attend these programs free of charge. In order to qualify for one of these programs it is necessary to:

  1. Get in touch with the local social services and ask for advice. The situation can vary between different states in the United States as to what is available locally and who qualifies.
  2. You will need to provide proof about your income and debts. Related to the estimation, the financial requirements for these programs can vary.
  3. Providing proof of your residency in the state and your legal status as a U.S. citizen is also something you should expect.
  4. It may be required that you wait until a spot opens up. Ask the social services office to give you estimation for how long you will have to wait. You might be given medications to help ease your cravings while you wait for counseling to begin.

Advantages of paid alcohol rehabilitation

When you can afford to pay for alcohol rehab, there are some definite advantages to taking personal responsibility for your own well-being. Some of the advantages of paying for rehab yourself include:

  1. It is important to get into treatment while the motivation for recovery still remains strong. Many public addiction treatment centers have a long waiting list. In paid rehab, you won’t need to wait before getting help for addiction and can usually be admitted within hours of picking up the phone.
  2. Personal attention will bring detailed examination and focus on exact needs to make a full recovery. Counseling one-on-one will make you feel more intimate, safe and easily devoted to the treatment program.
  3. You have broader choice of programs and locations where you wish to receive treatment in more comfortable way.
  4. There are paid alcohol rehab centers that offer activities to make your stay more relaxed, with alternative alcoholism treatment options. Choosing a more holistic alcohol rehab center can help your willingness to go through rehab, which can stimulate the motivation to achieve the goals of rehab.

Alcohol rehabilitation programs questions

If you still have questions about options for financing alcohol rehabilitation or the alcohol rehabilitation process, please post your questions below in the comment sections. We try to respond to all comments personally and promptly.

Reference Sources: NIH: Assessing Treatment and Treatment Processes
SAMHSA: Free Treatment Available
NIH: Cost Research on Alcoholism Treatment
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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