Inpatient rehab is a great option if you are suffering from an addiction. It is quite successful in helping you take back control of your life. You’ll go through a variety of treatments, each targeting a different area of your life affected by the addiction. Also, you get consistent access to medical and mental health professionals. Whenever you need help, help is there.
This kind of rehab takes a huge investment of time and money, though. Inpatient rehab programs can take several months. The longer the length of stay, the more expensive it gets.
Now, you might be thinking of how much you need to shell out for rehab. It depends on which rehab center you choose, as well as your length of stay and the kinds of treatments you have to go through. Some programs cost only a little, while others come at a heftier price.
Estimated cost of inpatient rehabs
On average, inpatient rehab can set you back $25,000 for a 30-day program. Longer 90-day ones may cost as much as $60,000.
Why does it cost this much? Here are some factors that influence that cost.
Detox
Medically-assisted detox is often a necessary first step in the process of rehab. Here, the goal is to clear out every last ounce of drugs from your body. It’s called “medically-assisted” because doctors and nurses are by your side administering the detox.
Sometimes, they may give you medications if you need them. Medications help a lot, especially in dealing with withdrawal symptoms. They are often unpleasant – sometimes painful – so they have to be managed well. In case you’re not feeling too well, you can immediately tell the medical personnel, and they’ll give you a hand any time you need it.
The usual cost of detox is about $300 to $800 per day. The actual price depends on the level of care provided to you, as well as the kinds of medications prescribed.
As detox is only the first step, there are other factors that drive the price of rehab as well.
Rehab Facilities
Different rehab centers have different price tags. For 30-day programs, costs range from $2,000 to $25,000. Longer programs cost more.
The price depends on the kind of facility you enroll in. If the rehab center is basic, the cost is lower. But if you pick a center with lots of amenities, like a pool, gym, and sauna, that would drive the price much higher.
The center would also provide you food, water, and housing for your entire stay. More than that, you’d have 24/7 access to medical professionals and mental health specialists. These factors also raise the cost.
A good indicator of cost is the level of care the rehab center provides. Generally, there are three levels: basic, standard, and premium. Basic care is the cheapest, while premium care commands the highest price.
Let’s look at what’s included in each level of care.
Basic rehab program
A 30-day basic inpatient rehab program can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $7,000 or more. They include the following:
- Intake/assessment/evaluation
- 24/7 supervision
- 3 meals a day
- Laundry services
- Bed and dresser
- Shared room with one or more roommates
- Daily chores
- Daily group counseling and addiction education
- Access to counselors for guidance
- Alcoholics Anonymous / Narcotics Anonymous meetings and 12-Step work (not all rehab centers offer this)
Standard rehab program
Standard 30-day rehab programs range from $10,000 to $20,000. They have all the provisions of basic programs as well as these:
- Treatment planning.
- Dual diagnosis
- Aftercare planning and sober living opportunities
- Daily group counseling and addiction education
- Individual counseling with a counselor twice a week.
- Individual therapy once a week with an experienced doctor
- Outside activities and weekend activities
- Access to gym facilities
Luxury rehab program
If you have the extra cash, and would want to live like the rich, a luxury rehab program is for you. This would set you back $25,000 or more. Luxury rehabs have everything that the basic and standard programs have, plus the following:
- Medical/physical evaluations
- 24-hour access to medical staff
- Around-the-clock supervision
- Daily group counseling and addiction education
- Bed and dresser
- Private room
- Alternative treatments options (acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, herbal medicine, naturopathy)
- Variety of therapies (e.g., art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, animal-assisted therapies)
- Lifestyle practices (e.g., healthy lifestyle counseling, spiritual well-being)
Is rehab worth the price?
You may have concerns with these high costs. This is understandable, as tens of thousands of dollars is no small sum of money. Not many people suffering from addictions have that much money. Even if you do, the costs will take a significant chunk out of your budget.
However, going through rehab is well worth its cost.
Consider what could happen if you decide not to go through rehab. Think of the hundreds (or even thousands) of hours of lost productivity, because you would choose to seek drugs instead of work. Also, think of how much it would cost your family. Let’s say you land in jail for drug use. Your family may then have to shoulder the costs of bail, damages, and legal fees. If you get into other kinds of trouble, expenses would pile up before you know it.
Combined, these costs could rack up to the hundreds of thousands of dollars, possibly more. The cost of rehab doesn’t look so bad compared to this.
What if I don’t have that kind of money?
Don’t worry. If you decide to go to rehab but are strapped for cash, there are ways to help you pay for it.
The first way is through insurance. Many insurance providers cover the costs of rehab at least partly, if not fully. This should ease the financial burden significantly.
Other rehab centers also offer payment plans. This way, you can pay off the total cost over the course of several months. Ask around and you’ll find centers that have this option.
It’s indeed true that rehab is a costly process. But in the long run, you’ll save even more money by taking back control of your life once again.