Many people struggle with substance use across the United States. In 2020, the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimated that more than 40 million people struggled with substance addiction and that the majority of them didn’t receive treatment. One barrier to treatment is the cost of healthcare, and addiction treatment is healthcare.
Drug and alcohol rehab isn’t something that happens all at once. A person will generally go through various levels of care to help them overcome substance abuse.
Detox is the earliest part of a treatment program. It is an essential part of overcoming alcohol and drug addiction. However, the cost of treatment can often hold people back from seeking treatment for substance use disorder. So, how much does detox cost?
How Much Does Detox Cost?
The cost of drug and alcohol detox can vary. Most patients can expect to pay an average of around $250 to $500 daily at an inpatient detox center. This can vary greatly, and a person who is seeking detox treatment may not have to pay the entire cost of detox out of pocket.
What is A Medical Detox Program?
Medical detox is the phase of addiction treatment wherein a person purges their body of all the illicit substances that they have taken. This process can be incredibly uncomfortable, especially in cases of long-term alcohol and drug abuse.
The possibility of severe withdrawal makes outpatient detox unsafe. Detoxing from some substances can cause withdrawal symptoms that may be life-threatening.
While in medical detox inside a treatment center, the team will be able to supervise and intervene in cases of severe withdrawal. This can make the process safe and more comfortable.
What Factors Into The Cost Of Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment?
Numerous factors can factor into the cost of alcohol and drug detox. One of the main factors is the length of inpatient treatment. Because many detox centers charge per day, longer treatment will invariably drive up the cost of treatment.
Another factor is that treatment facilities can all differ. Some treatment centers will have amenities such as game rooms and gyms, whereas others will be completely bare bones and offer nothing more than a place to sleep and medical supervision.
Speaking of medical supervision, the team overseeing substance abuse treatment will also be a major factor in the overall cost of care. Private treatment options will often employ highly-regarded specialists who command high salaries.
Health Insurance Coverage Detox
Addiction treatment, including detox, is covered by health insurance. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, health insurance covers substance abuse and mental health services. For private insurance companies, the extent of coverage can vary as much as any other form of healthcare. Verifying your insurance before seeking medical detoxification and other treatments is best.
What About Medicare?
Similar to private insurance, Medicare can cover the cost of screenings and treatment programs that can help in the recovery process for mental health and substance use disorders.
Paying for Treatment
There are other things that a person can do to cover the cost of rehab if insurance providers fall short. If insurance doesn’t cover everything, a person may have to pay the uncovered costs out of pocket.
This doesn’t mean that a person must pay for detox and rehab all at once. Many inpatient rehabs offer staggered payment plans, so a person can pay off their medical costs over time instead of upfront.
Failing that, a person can get personal loans that can help pay for the cost of treatment.
Treating Co-Occurring Disorders
Inpatient detox services can be quite expensive. However, it can come with numerous benefits, and one of those benefits is that the team supervising can offer mental health treatment.
This can be necessary as going through detox can often cause someone to struggle with withdrawal symptoms, which can vary based on the substance being purged from the body. Common withdrawal symptoms can include mental health troubles such as anxiety or depression.
It’s also the case that many people who struggle with drug or alcohol use have an underlying mental health disorder. Addiction can worsen their symptoms, and they can get worse before they get better during detox.
What are the Costs of Skipping Medical Detox?
While the cost of detox can be quite high, it is a necessary step of treatment, and skipping medical detox can be quite dangerous. There are withdrawal symptoms that can be quite dangerous and will require immediate medical intervention.
One example of this is alcohol withdrawal. With long-term and heavy alcohol abuse, a person may struggle with delirium tremens or DTs. DTs is a state of withdrawal wherein a person becomes delirious.
Because of the possibility of severe withdrawal, outpatient detox is not recommended. Inpatient detox programs offer a level of safety and security that an outpatient detox program cannot match.
How Much Does Drug and Alcohol Rehab Cost?
Detox is only the first step in drug or alcohol treatment. It lays the foundation for further treatment. However, the cost of addiction treatment can be quite high. Inpatient rehab can vary based in the center itself, but it should cost between $6,000 to $30,000 for a 30-day program.
There are also some rehab centers, particularly luxury ones, that can charge far more than that. Regardless of how much treatment costs, it can be an investment that is well worth it.
Take the First Step to Recovery
The first step in a recovery program can be incredibly difficult. It’s not just the withdrawal symptoms that make it difficult, but many people can be wary of the journey ahead even if they get through the detox process.
But, as difficult as going through detox can be, getting through it can show a person that they can get through the recovery process. At Luxe Recovery, our team will be there to support you throughout treatment process starting with our luxury alcohol detox program.
