How Much Does It Cost to Go to Rehab?
If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD), drug rehab centers often offer the best solutions for treatment. Rehab is a great way to get effective care in an environment focused on sobriety. However, many people try to avoid rehab because they are concerned about costs. Though rehab has a reputation for being pricey, the reality is that there are a lot of affordable rehab options, too. To find the right type of rehab center for your needs and budget, explore this guide to rehab center costs.
Average Rehab Costs
Figuring out the average cost for rehab can be tricky. Of course, some data is available from census surveys, insurance companies, and healthcare providers. However, rehab costs vary greatly. Not only do different rehab programs provide different periods of treatment, but they also offer different services.
Therefore, the amount of money you pay will depend on the program you pick. Some people pay as little as $1,600 for the typical stay in a rehab center. Others may pay upwards of $32,500 for their treatment. With such a huge variation in costs, it can be understandably difficult to make a budget for your rehab stay. Fortunately, the programs that cost tens of thousands of dollars are usually outliers. On average, rehab costs are much lower. If you ignore the pricier luxury facilities, most people pay somewhere between $2,200 and $9,700 for a typical program at a rehab clinic.
Average Costs for Medication
Keep in mind that rehab costs usually refer to the costs of joining a program, staying in a facility, or having therapy. Due to the way insurance handles things, medication is typically billed separately. Any prescriptions you need to take regularly, both during and after rehab, can increase your expenses. Depending on your situation, you might end up paying a little extra for medications.
People without insurance can expect to pay these prices for commonly prescribed rehab medications:
- Methadone: A methadone prescription along with associated medical monitoring costs around$125 per week.
- Buprenorphine: A prescription for this medication is roughly $115 per week.
- Naltrexone: Naltrexone costs around $295 per week. This includes both medical support and assistance with administration.
- Antidepressants: Various antidepressants are used to treat SUDs. Depending on the one you select, monthly costs can vary from around $15 to $275.
- Anti-anxiety medications: Depending on which anti-anxiety medication you take, a generic version could cost between $25 and $235 per month.
Costs for Common Rehab Programs
When discussing costs for rehab programs, it’s important to keep in mind that substance use treatment is a very broad concept. Some types of rehab consist of a few hourly sessions a month, while others require intensive, round-the-clock care. This can lead to drastically different prices depending on which program you’re in. Here are some helpful estimates on costs for popular types of substance use treatment.
Detox Programs
Detox programs are medical treatments meant to help people safely stop using drugs. During detox, the treatment center will carefully monitor your health and provide you with medication to manage withdrawal symptoms. These sorts of programs cost an average of $1,750.
Outpatient Programs
Outpatient rehab is a type of treatment that allows you to get help while still living in the comfort of your home. Clients can follow their daily schedule and still go to work and school, but they also have several weekly appointments for rehab care. This type of substance use treatment is very affordable. On average, it costs around $2,228 for a complete course of treatment.
Inpatient Programs
Inpatient programs are also called residential programs. They require you to live in a secure facility where you can focus on sobriety while having regular therapy appointments or other types of medical care. Inpatient programs are quite a bit more costly because you’re also paying for room and board while you’re there. The average episodic cost for inpatient rehab is $9,766.
Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs
These types of substance use treatments aim to combine the benefits of outpatient and inpatient rehab. As a client, you live at home, but you spend multiple hours a day at the rehab center. This allows you to get focused care without having to live on-site. There are different levels of intensity that can affect pricing, but on average, people pay $4,939 for this type of program.
Sober Living
Sober living programs are a type of treatment for people who have left rehab but don’t feel comfortable resuming their old life. In a sober living house, you live with other newly sober people who can provide you with support and help you maintain accountability. Costs for sober living vary wildly because they mostly mirror the cost of rent in your city. Things like the size of the room and the privacy you have will also impact costs. Some can be as cheap as $500 a month, while others cost $5,000.
Factors That Affect Drug Rehab Costs
As you can see, rehab center costs vary quite a bit. There are several different factors that can affect the final cost of your treatment for a substance use disorder.
Location
Costs tend to take into account the general cost of living in the surrounding area. If a rehab center is an expensive area, they have to pay more for things like food and housing, so the clients end up with a larger bill. Usually, you will pay less if you attend a rehab center in an area with a low cost of living. However, if the substance use treatment facility is in a unique location, such as next to the beach or in the mountains, you might pay a premium to be in a desirable spot.
Length of Program
Of course, one of the main things that affects costs is the length of the program you pick. If you choose a longer program, you will pay quite a bit more. The very short programs are often more affordable.
Treatment Options
Many SUD treatment centers operate with an all-inclusive model where clients who sign up for treatment can then access any of the therapies the clinic provides. Therefore, costs tend to be higher at facilities that provide many cutting-edge or complex treatments. For example, a clinic that has specialized therapists trained in techniques like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy may be more expensive than a clinic that provides only generalized behavioral therapy.
Amenities
Substance use treatment centers come in all shapes and sizes. Some offer minimalist facilities that feel like a doctor’s office, while others are elaborate compounds styled to look like vacation resorts. Rehab centers with extra amenities cost more. If you want a facility with things like swimming pools, gourmet meals, and recreational activities, you will usually have to pay more.
Comparing the Cost of Rehab to the Cost of Addiction
Is rehab worth the costs? While the final bill for a rehab program can look intimidating, rehab can actually save you money over time. Addiction can be surprisingly expensive. The typical person with a substance use disorder ends up spending a lot of money. The costs of addiction can include:
- Expenses associated with purchasing drugs or alcohol
- Medical costs for health problems due to substance abuse
- Legal fines for DUIs and other offenses
- Lost money due to impaired judgment and risky decisions
- Lost wages due to the inability to hold down a job
All these monetary losses can add up. Each year, the total cost of hospital emergency department and inpatient encounters for issues like overdose adds up to over $13 billion. Even those who don’t have a medical emergency still spend a lot of money. Depending on the type of drug a person uses, they can pay $4,000 to $50,000 a year on drugs alone. Even without calculating all the indirect costs, the price of addiction is far greater than the cost of rehab.
How to Get Help With Rehab Costs
Whether you choose an especially pricey substance use treatment center or not, it can be useful to have help with your payments. There are many ways to lower your bill by seeking help from other organizations.
Insurance Coverage Options
Due to the Affordable Care Act, all insurance companies are required to cover some type of substance use treatment. Substance use disorders are treated like any other healthcare emergency, so your insurance has to help you pay for care. However, your insurance company may be able to specify what type of care it will cover. Depending on your insurance plan, your rehab might only be covered if you attend certain clinics or sign up for certain programs. To get as much help from your insurance company as possible, check your benefits plan before selecting a rehab.
Payment Plans and Financing
When you get the bill from your rehab center, the total amount can look quite intimidating. Fortunately, most clinics don’t require clients to pay all the money at once. Instead, you can often sign up for a payment plan that allows you to pay in installments. If you don’t have the money at the moment, you may be able to get financing. Some clinics help you get a small loan to go ahead and pay your bill. Make sure to ask about these options before picking a rehab center.
Charitable Assistance
Since drug rehab is a type of healthcare, you might be able to get assistance through certain charitable organizations. There are a variety of local and national programs dedicated to helping people with rehab costs. In addition to looking for local charities, you might want to check out some of these helpful national organizations:
- The Herren Project
- Angels at Risk
- Strawberry Ministries
- The Rosecrance Foundation
- The Amy Winehouse Foundation
- SAMHSA
Interested in finding an affordable rehab option near you? The National Rehab Hotline is here to help. Contact us now to learn more about how you can pay for SUD treatment.