Rehabilitation Programs: How Expensive are They?

People who are addicted to substances, be it drugs or alcohol, find it hard to seek medical attention and help. There are many reasons for it: some are too ashamed to admit that they need such help; others do not believe in the ability of doctors to help them recover and get rid of their addiction. But there is one more factor that comes into play when considering the possibility of rehabilitation – its price.

On the whole, rehabilitation programs are not cheap. Many of them cannot even be called affordable. It is difficult to estimate the cost of rehabilitation, because the range of services and care provided in the course of it may vary. There are many factors that shape the price tag of rehab programs, and here are some of them.

• Facility type. Inpatient and outpatient rehab facilities offer different services, and this affects costs significantly. The former provide a comprehensive range of services, which includes accommodation, meals, activities, and other services that you find necessary. The latter implies visits to the doctor’s and therapy sessions, as well as detox programs, but no long-term stay is included. This is why outpatient rehabs are much cheaper.
• Facility location. Rehabs found in cities are usually not that expensive, compared to centers located in far-flung areas with breathtaking views, magnificent landscapes, and other features of environment that can help overcome the problem.
• Program size. The larger the number of participants in the program, the cheaper it is. Crowded facilities are usually much more affordable than intimate ones.
• Range of treatments. Most rehabilitation programs feature detoxification, which is aimed at removal of harmful substances from the bloodstream to speed up recovery.  There may also be medication-assisted options, therapies of various kinds, and aftercare – the latter is aimed at helping you avoid relapse.
• Program length. Short-term programs are usually cheaper. The longer you stay at the facility, the more you will pay. After assessment, your doctor will advise you for how long you should stay in the facility, and length of stay often varies from 30 to 90 days. In some cases, a detox program is enough, and your stay can be limited to a couple of weeks or even several days.
• Additional services. For those patients who cannot do without luxury, there are extra services, like massage, pet therapy (yes – you can even take your pet with you), swimming pools, private fitness rooms, etc. But all these services have an impressive price tag, so such rehabilitation can set you back $90,000 a month or even more.

What options are available?

Intervention programs, which are supposed to help a patient live through the detox period, may cost from $2,000 to the hefty $10,000. This figure does not include accommodation and other services.

As far as detox proper is concerned, there are different options available. Some facilities enjoy public funding, so they can offer detox free of charge. But most centers charge quite a lot for it – up to $1,000 daily – and this figure can increase even more if the program is medication-assisted and Naltrexone or other medicines are required.

Inpatient rehabs are what constitutes the lion’s share of overall costs. Accommodation and extra services can vary to a significant extent, and so does the price: staying at a rehab facility can cost you from $5,000 (if it’s something unpretentious) to $120.000 (if it’s a famous rehab for high profile patients) per 30 days. But here the lowest price is quite optimistic; you are more likely to find options that cost around $14,000 a month.

Outpatient programs are cheaper. For sessions happening regularly for three months, you will be charged from $5,000 to $8,000. Publicly-run centers do exist, but there are waiting lists that may force you to start looking for another option.

As seen from the data above, rehabilitation is far from being affordable. Some of these options are covered by insurance, but others are not. Check the conditions of your insurance to see if you can be reimbursed some of the costs. And remember – your mental and physical health is more valuable than money.