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What Are the Costs?

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Treatment for Three Decades and Counting

If you or a loved one is experiencing addiction, we’re here to help.

Woman writing a checkWhen it comes to getting clean and sober, money shouldn’t be a barrier to recovery. Unfortunately, many addicts who seek rehab have already lost their jobs or have fallen into heavy debt. If you’re struggling to pay your rent and put food on the table, the cost of drug detox may seem far out of reach.

Drug detox programs are available for people in financial need as well as for the very wealthy.[1] While some facilities require that the patient pay the full price before admission, many others accept health insurance or offer sliding scale options. Substance abuse treatment, including drug and alcohol detoxification, is covered by many medical insurance programs. Publicly funded rehab centers serve the needs of those who are financially unable to pay out of pocket.

Which Detox Treatment Programs Cost the Most?

The cost of a drug detox program varies greatly from one treatment center to another. A residential detox program at an exclusive private hospital could cost $5,000 or more, while an intensive outpatient program at a state-funded rehab facility might cost between $1,000 and $1,500. Factors that determine the cost of treatment include:[2]

  • Residential versus outpatient treatment. At a residential facility, where patients are monitored around the clock, fees include residential services like room and board, housekeeping and 24-hour medical monitoring. Outpatient detox centers, where patients attend treatment programs during the day and return home at night, are generally less expensive.
  • Length and type of treatment. In drug detox your system is cleansed of addictive chemicals using a variety of methods. Monitored drug tapering, IV therapy, fluid replacement, and nutritional supplementation may be part of a detoxification plan. If medication is prescribed to help you manage withdrawal symptoms, these prescription drugs can add to the cost. The detox process may last from a few days to one week or more, depending on how long you’ve been using and whether you have any co-occurring conditions. The longer treatment lasts, the more costly it is likely to be.
  • Number of personnel. The cost of staffing is one of the biggest expenses at any detox facility. The more physicians, nurses, and therapists at a facility, the higher the cost will probably be. It’s important to remember that qualified medical personnel help ensure the safety and comfort of the detox process.
  • The facility’s funding status. Non-profit and not-for-profit facilities often offer a wider range of payment options than private for-profit detox programs. Some programs are funded and operated by religious organizations. While church programs may be less costly, they may require participation in worship services, community service activities or spiritual counseling.

How Do I Pay for Detox?

Addiction research shows that a lack of financial resources is one of the biggest obstacles to treatment. But is detox really unaffordable, or do addicts simply assume that they can’t pay for these services? A study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicated that just under half of Americans (49.5 percent) who received treatment in 2008 used their own money — either personal savings or wages from a job — to pay for detox and rehab. Other sources of payment included:[3]

  • Private medical insurance
  • Medicaid (a state-funded program for low-income individuals)
  • Medicare (a federally-funded program for the elderly and chronically disabled individuals)
  • Loans from family or friends
  • A combination of loans, public funds and insurance

At Michael’s House, we believe in making our detox services as accessible as possible. If you’re ready to reach out, we’re here to help. Call us to talk about your treatment options today.


Sources

[1] The National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Medical Detoxification,” February 2016. Accessed April 24, 2017. https://www.drugabuse.gov/

[2] The National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Is Drug Addiction Treatment Worth it’s Cost?” December 2012. Accessed April 24, 2017. https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat-3rdEd-508.pdf

[3] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Insurance and Payments,” September 28, 2015. Accessed April 24, 2017. https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment/insurance-payments

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