Programs for Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation
Drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs are an essential factor in overcoming alcohol or drug dependency.
In this Rehabilitation Guide article, we will answer basic questions about alcohol and drug rehab programs including a description of what they are, how to locate them, their costs and the place insurance plays in helping to pay for them.
What are Rehabilitation Programs for Drug and Alcohol Abuse?
A rehabilitation program is a very structured process of medical treatment and counseling for those with a dependency on alcohol, prescription drugs or illegal drugs.
The purpose of rehabilitation programs is to enable the patient to stop using or abusing these substances in order to be spared the negative physical, relational, vocational, social and financial effects associated with alcoholism and chemical dependency.
Types of Rehabilitation Programs for Alcoholism and Drug Dependency
There are several options when considering treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction. Here’s an overview.
Residential Rehabilitation Programs: These rehab programs are sometimes called inpatient programs because the individual stays at the addiction treatment center. Inpatient programs include medical evaluation and care as well as single and group counseling. One of the most important steps is detoxification. This involves treatment to help remove the substances from the body and overcome the physical dependency some patients develop on alcohol or drugs.
Initially, the person won’t leave for any reason, but with time might leave to go to work or school during the day while returning in the evening.
Residential programs typically last from several weeks to several months. They are recommended for those who have a severe problem, especially those who have been through rehab in the past without lasting success. Costs generally exceed $10,000 per month.
Outpatient Rehabilitation Programs: These services provide ongoing support to those who have been through a residential program or for those with less debilitating alcoholism or drug addiction. Some will try an outpatient program to see if it is enough before considering entering a residential rehab program.
Outpatient rehab for drug addiction and alcohol dependency will include medical evaluation and care as well as counseling. These programs last from a few weeks to several months and possibly longer.
Where are Treatment Programs Held?
Drug addiction and alcoholism treatment programs are often housed in hospitals. The hospital might be a large urban or suburban hospital or a private hospital in a suburban or rural setting. The hospital might be generalized in the types of services it provides or it might solely exist for the treatment of alcoholism and drug dependency.
Outpatient classes and counseling often occur in the same settings as residential rehabilitation programs are. They might also meet in the offices of a doctor or counselor, a community health building or similar location.
The Cost of Alcoholism and Drug Rehabilitation Programs
Rehab programs provide medical care as well as psychological care. They are quite intensive and many give a significant amount of one-to-one care. Residential rehabilitation programs also provide room and board along with other activities. For these reasons, the cost of alcoholism and drug addiction rehabilitation programs is quite high.
Some programs charge an entry fee which can be $2,500 or more. It includes initial medical and psychological evaluation and care. Ongoing treatment can cost $10,000-$15,000 per month or more.
This is one of the reasons that many would benefit from rehab don’t enter it – they can’t afford it.
Alcohol and Drug Rehab and Insurance
Many health insurance policies include coverage for chemical dependency rehabilitation programs. Some states require insurers to pay for the initial detoxification stage at least.
Beyond that, there is a wide spectrum in the types of coverage insurance offers. The best plans will pay for all costs related to rehabilitation programs for alcoholism and drug abuse. Most will pay a percentage of the costs or pay for certain types of treatment. The costs of co-pays and deductibles differ greatly from policy to policy.
The treatment facility will work with the patient to tailor a program that best fits their insurance coverage. In this way, the person seeking treatment in a rehabilitation program will get the best care they can afford.