Many people who suffer with addiction don’t seek help because they think that getting treatment will be too expensive. Many of these people have trouble with finances and sometimes even holding a job, so they think that there is no way they can afford the treatment they need. Drug addicts can easily get $20 here and $40 dollars there by stealing from their relatives and friends, pawning off theirs and others possessions, or even robbing small stores. While not all addicts resort to this, many commit small crimes to keep up their habit. It may not seem like a lot of money because they only get small increments and looking at rehab seems like a huge chunk of change all at once. However, that is not true. Addicts can end up spending thousands of dollars on their addiction, buying their substance and paraphernalia, paying for bail and other costs associated with their addiction. Many addiction treatment centers offer payment plans for patients and families so that they aren’t paying it all up front, all at once. Addicts with major addictions can spend thousand of dollars. A heroin addict with a two gram a day habit can spend over $50,000 in a year; a non-prescription OxyContin habit can cost over $100,000 in one year; a major meth habit can cost over $30,000 a year; and an alcoholic who drinks a twelve pack of “cheap” beer a day can spend over $3,500 a year. Seeing these numbers it is shocking to imagine how they can believe they cannot afford treatment, especially when there is so much more to lose by not getting treatment.
The Cost of Addiction
Aside from the actual money being spent on the substance there is also the other costs for addiction. When an addict is only concerned about getting their next fix they lose perspective on priorities and responsibilities. Addicts may lose their job because they miss work too much or cannot do it properly, they may be unable to hold down a job, or unable to get one. If they cannot keep a stable income to maintain their addiction they may start to commit small crimes or even larger ones that can get them arrested. Depending on the severity of the crime and the charges brought against them, they can face jail or prison time. Many inmates behind bars continue the use of their substance and when they get out they are still addicted and often have a more difficult time finding a job with a criminal record. Continuing their addiction can also cost them their life. The more addicts abuse their substance the more damage they do to their body and greater chance of overdosing. Addiction can also cost the addict their friends and family. Parents who become addicts often lose their homes, spouses, and children. Children who become addicts often find themselves cut off from their parents because of the lost of trust and fear of enabling. Addiction costs so much more than just a dollar amount for the individual.
Many treatment centers do their best to keep prices low and competitive. Continued addiction can cost the patient so much more than recovery ever will. Drug addictions and alcoholism can be and are very expensive to maintain not including any resulting legal issues such as impaired driving, DUIs, DWIs, lawyers, tickets, court fees, increased insurance, jail time, losing children to Child Protective Services (CPS), losing your job, and other criminal offenses. The continued use of drugs and alcohol can also lead to detrimental medical issues that can cost thousands of dollars or your life. Treatment centers see the health and safety of their patients and their recovery from addiction as an investment into their future. The cost of treatment is always a worrisome topic when people are thinking about getting treatment, but can you really put a price on saving your life or the life of your loved one? The good thing is that most insurance policies cover alcohol detox, however not all plans cover drug detoxification unless you have substance abuse treatment insurance. Most admissions coordinators will work with your insurance to determine your coverage and benefits prior to admission.
What to Look for
When looking for Substance abuse treatment there are many things that can influence the cost. The important thing is to make sure the patient is getting the quality care that they need to overcome their addiction. Remember in the long-run treatment tends to be thousands of dollars cheaper than the addiction itself. The type of center and the types of treatment programs they offer such as inpatient and outpatient programs will have some effect on cost depending on housing and time investment. The amount of time spent at the center will also be taken into account. Also the location of the center will affect the cost. A facility in California, where the cost of living is much higher, will be more expensive than a treatment center in Utah. Not all addicts need to go through a medically supervised detox. When patients arrive at treatment they will be assessed to make sure their health and safety are not put into jeopardy. If a patient needs medically supervised detox we will make sure they receive that. Patients who are experiencing co-occurring disorders may need to take medications to help with those symptoms that other patients do not. This will be taken into account when figuring the cost for treatment. Patients who need more attention or round the clock care such as in a residential program will have more expenses than those in an Intensive Outpatient Program.
Paying for Treatment
All patients have different ways of paying for their treatment and there is no wrong way. Treatment centers work with each patient and look at all options with them so that they can come up with a plan that allows them to receive the help they need. Many guests use their insurance to aid in the payment of treatment but there are other ways. Patients can set up payment plans, be able to pay with a credit card, or even find a scholarship program to aid in payment. The important thing is to get the help you need and stop paying for your addiction with your life and relationships. Treatment is a way to get your life back, work at amending relationships, and actually save money.
