Inpatient Rehab: Effective and Cost-Effective Help For Addiction

Inpatient rehab offers most people the best option for a lasting recovery from addictions, but many believe they can’t afford to seek treatment in a residential program.  The public perception of this kind of treatment is shaped by images of celebrities on retreat in a luxury facility. In fact, though,  inpatient treatment can be within almost anyone’s financial reach.

Inpatient Rehab is the “Gold Standard” of Addiction Treatment

Substance abuse treatment programs are available in both outpatient and inpatient forms. Outpatient rehab appears attractive for many reasons.  It’s discreet – users can keep jobs and routines without calling attention to their situation. It can appear less expensive than inpatient treatment.  And it offers long-term support for recovery.

But those apparent benefits can be misleading. Daily living in an environment that triggered the addiction can predispose people to relapse.  Outpatient rehab may seem to cost less than an inpatient program, but costs are spread over a number of different treatments and services for a longer period of time.  And most importantly, a range of studies has shown that outpatient programs have lower rates of long-term recovery than inpatient rehabs do.

After comprehensive inpatient rehab program, relapse rates are lower than  after outpatient treatment for the same amount of time. Studies reveal that there are fewer incidences of arrests, overdoses and accidents among those who have completed at least one month in a residential treatment program.

Inpatient rehab offers the best opportunity for long-term recovery and its cost is relatively low, when compared to the financial toll addictions can take over a lifetime.

Where Do The Costs Come From?

Inpatient program fees include the cost of room and board.

An inpatient substance abuse rehab can cost virtually nothing for a non-profit or government sponsored program to nearly $200,000 for a month’s stay in a “luxury” facility. The average cost for a typical one-month stay in a private rehab facility in the United States is between $10,000 and $20,000.

For those with limited financial options, low-cost (and even free) inpatient rehab programs are also available. These are offered by nonprofit groups such as the Salvation Army or government bodies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, and can have a waiting list of months or years.  These programs typically offer fewer services and amenities than private treatment faculties.

A Menu of Services and Amenities

The cost of inpatient rehab is directly related to the range of professional services and amenities the facility offers. These include:

Professional Services

Inpatient rehab programs have a permanent staff of healthcare professionals, therapists and counselors available or on call at all times.

Detox Support

A short-term stay in a dedicated detox facility can cost up to $2,000, but most inpatient programs include detox support (if necessary) in the total program cost. Most people who undergo medical detox need only general monitoring, but those with severe addictions can experience serious and often life-threatening symptoms. Trained detox specialists are able to provide intensive medical interventions if necessary and provide medications as well.

Activities and Amenities

Luxury rehab facilities can seem almost like resorts, with swimming pools, horseback riding, massages and daily activities such as yoga, crafts and dance.  Mid-range programs typically offer options for activities like art, yoga and exercise.  Program fees also cover all typical costs of room and board.

Is Inpatient Rehab an Expensive Treatment Option?

Options for Financing Rehab

Inpatient rehab can be financed in several ways.  If you can’t swing it yourself, your health insurance can help.  The Affordable Care Act of 2010 requires insurance providers to cover mental health and substance abuse treatment, but plans vary in terms of how much is covered.   Many treatment facilities offer payment plans or sliding fee scales, too.

Inpatient rehab isn’t just for the rich and famous – and it offers everyone the best chance for long-term recovery.  If you have questions about inpatient rehab, we’re just a phone call away. Contact us at 800-430-1407Who Answers? and we’ll help you find the resources that are right for you.