How to Find Drug Addiction Treatment That is Affordable

Addiction & Recovery
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We can’t emphasize this enough that more than 10 million people are experiencing some form of addiction and that only a percentage of the entire population is getting the medical attention that they deserve. Because addiction recovery is a time-consuming and exhausting process, it’s becoming difficult to find affordable addiction programs every day. From low-cost and free rehab centers to reasonably priced individualized programs, let’s take a look at how you can find drug addiction treatment that you can afford.

The Cost of Addiction

Quite literally, addiction can cost you. In fact, it makes you spend twice of what you normally would. Since addiction is a disorder of the mind, you’re literally paying to get a mental disease.

On average, an alcoholic spends $3000 on alcohol every year. That’s an entire month’s income for countless people around the world. But what’s even more shocking is that it can take anywhere between $10,000 to $25,000 for addicts to permanently recover through an inpatient treatment program.

How to Find an Affordable Rehab Facility

When life gives you lemons, you have to find ways to make lemonade somehow. So, if you can’t afford just about any treatment facility, here’s how you can filter your options.

  • Size of the treatment facility or type of center

Centers built on huge spaces that offer luxury treatment will always charge you more than those that take a reserved approach to recovery. If you’re not one for aesthetics, stick to a local rehab facility that will cost you less.

  • Types of treatment services

Most large addiction centers cost more because they provide you with a holistic approach to addiction recovery. If you can’t afford a big center, which has an excellent brand reputation in the market, you can opt for a local treatment center that specializes in your case.

  • Amenities

Recovery is all about relaxing and relieving stress as it’s one of the primary reasons for addiction among countless individuals. But if you don’t need the swimming pool, nature retreats, spa and massages, gourmet food, and the large recreational rooms, you can always cross them off of your list to narrow it down.

Other Alternatives

Low or no-cost treatment centers

Your options don’t end with cutting down on luxury. If you’re in a position wherein you can’t afford even the basic addiction recovery programs, you still have plenty of low-cost and free options.

Public Therapy Programs

Public therapy programs are funded by the state for the welfare of the people. These programs take grants from the state government to help people who need recovery services but can’t pay for them. While they’re useful, you have to wait for your turn because the affordability factor puts them in high demand. Another shortcoming is that they may not be available during an economic crisis. During those times, you’re on your own.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Probably the most popular of them all, the AA is a free addiction treatment program for alcoholics. It offers you amazing peer support because you get to work in a closely-knit environment. Every member of the group relies on each other for support. The only drawback of the AA is that it’s driven by spirituality. So, if you’re an atheist, you might not be comfortable enough to be part of it.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army offers youth education programs for adolescents struggling with drug addiction. While it’s free, it’s built on religious principles because it’s run by the Church.

Addiction treatment for veterans

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you can avail any addiction recovery services near you if you’re covered by health benefits for veterans. You can find suitable programs here.

Making Addiction Treatment More Affordable

Drug addiction can cause you to lose not only your family but also your employment. So, when you decide to get clean, you’re met with one of the toughest challenges of your life; making the treatment more affordable – a seemingly impossible task but doable nonetheless.

  • Insurance

We can all agree that insurance is complicated. So much so that you feel that you’re better off without it. But make no mistake. What if you were told that an insurance cover can bring down your addiction treatment cost by half?

A health insurance plan can help you cover for your treatment for a set number of days. So, if you’re opting for a short program, you might be able to benefit from the plan.

  • Outpatient treatment facility

Inpatient treatment is expensive. Understandably so as it involves more resources than an outpatient program does. But if you think you won’t require 24/7 assistance and will do just fine living in your current arrangement, outpatient treatment may be an ideal choice for you.

  • Tax relief

If you decide to enter an inpatient treatment program, you can benefit from the tax deductions that it’s accompanied by. According to the federal income tax law in the U.S., you can deduct medical expenses that are more than 10% of your total annual income.

  • Payment plans

Some recovery centers allow you to pay in installments. If your rehab facility allows you to make small payments instead of a big one, don’t hesitate to avail it. Work with them to design a payment plan that works for both parties without it stressing you out.

  • Private sponsorship

Rehab centers may offer scholarships to those eligible for it. If not, you can find sponsors who will be willing to fund your recovery because they see potential in you. If you can promise them that you’ll lead a clean and sober life, it won’t be tough to find private sponsorship.