How to Pay for Drug Rehab and Addiction Treatment
As generations of harmful stigma continue to fade, addiction is finally being recognised as an illness that can be helped with treatment. Drug-related deaths accounted for the loss of 107,941 American lives in 2022 according to data from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids making up approximately 70% of these deaths.
While treatment can significantly improve outcomes for those experiencing drug addiction, many struggle with paying for drug rehab and other lifesaving addiction services. But with the help of grants for recovering addicts, addiction nonprofits and modern crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe, finding help with drug addiction is now more achievable than ever.
Options for addiction treatment
Substance abuse treatment programs range from full-residential inpatient programs—some lasting weeks or even months—to outpatient programs with frequent in-person or online engagement. Whatever form it takes, addiction treatment and rehab assistance programs generally involve a combination of therapeutic methods, pharmaceutical tools and complementary medicine. Aside from in-patient and out-patient services, common treatment frameworks include individualized sessions, group programs, short-term care, long-term treatments and more. New addiction treatments are always emerging, too, with some of the latest involving amino acid therapy, gene therapy and other individualized approaches.
To figure out which addiction treatment options are right for you or a loved one, it’s important to start by speaking with a doctor or therapist. You can also find local resources through reputable addiction organizations like the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.
When researching how to pay for drug rehab and other addiction treatments, it’s extremely important to be aware that some programs can be ineffective or even dangerous. It’s vital that you do plenty of research before signing up for any type of addiction programme, making sure to stick with options that are reputable, well-reviewed and backed by medical research.
The average cost of addiction treatment
Unfortunately, by the time someone is ready to treat their addiction, they’ve often drained their financial resources to such an extent that they can no longer afford the required care. The cost of drug rehab and addiction treatment can vary widely—sometimes with little correlation between cost and efficacy.
The following are estimates of costs for specific types of addiction treatment as reported by the Addiction Center:
Outpatient detox
An outpatient detox typically costs between $1,000 and $1,500. Inpatient rehab programs often include a detox in their costs, but you should always check this with your service provider. The price of a detox program also depends on the type of addiction being treated, mainly because certain substances with dangerous detox side effects require careful monitoring.
Outpatient rehab
For mild to moderate addictions, outpatient rehabilitation programs are more affordable than inpatient ones. You’ll find that many 90-day outpatient rehab programs cost around $5,000, though some may cost as much as $10,000. The final cost varies depending, in part, on how often (and how long) a patient visits the treatment center throughout each week of their program.
Inpatient rehab
Inpatient rehab programs are more expensive, and generally cost anywhere from $6,000 to $20,000 for a 30-day program. If the patient needs 60 to 90 days, the final cost of inpatient treatment could be $12,000 to $60,000.
Post-rehab costs
If treatment involves complementary forms of medicine (common with alcohol and opiate addiction), the price of these medicines can dramatically increase the total cost of treatment. For example, a year of methadone treatment can cost around $4,700. And after the initial treatment, ongoing visits with a psychiatrist, therapist, or social worker can add to these costs further.
How to pay for drug rehab and addiction services
Once you’ve found a reputable and medically-supported rehab assistance program that’s right for you, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to afford it. While many addiction treatment services are expensive and can feel unaffordable, it’s important to remember that you’re never on your own. From addiction nonprofits to crowdfunding, government grants for recovering addicts and more—there are plenty of ways to find support with funding your addiction recovery journey.
1. Government grants for recovering addicts
Federal and state-funded drug rehab grants are the primary sources of funding for addiction treatment in the United States. While not all of these packages will cover the full cost of your addiction treatment, many of today’s government grants can significantly lessen the financial burden you’ll face.
Here are some of the most popular government grants for recovering addicts available in the United States today:
- The Affordable Care Act (ACA): The ACA is an increasingly popular resource for those seeking financial assistance with rehab and other drug treatment programs. It can be used to cover up to 90% of addiction treatment expenses, depending on the type of ACA health plan you have purchased. Find out if you are eligible for an ACA Health Insurance Marketplace plan to start seeking funds for addiction treatment services.
- SAMHSA Grants: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a federal government agency which provides funding for non-profit organizations which focus on drug addiction and mental health issues. You can contact your local treatment center or get in touch with SAMHSA’s support team for more information on what addiction treatment resources are available in your area.
- Medicare: A federal insurance health program which covers people aged 65 and over, as well as those living with certain disabilities—Medicare can provide financial assistance with inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment to eligible patients.
- Medicaid: A joint health insurance program between the federal and state governments, Medicaid provides plan holders with financial support across a range of addiction-relatement treatments. View Medicaid’s state overviews to explore the eligibility requirements available in your area.
2. Insurance coverage for addiction treatment
Most US health insurers currently provide some form of cover for drug addiction treatment, making access to services a lot more achievable for those with private medical coverage. Your specific insurance provider and the level of coverage you pay for will determine the type of addiction services that you can receive funding for. Types of treatment that are commonly covered by private insurers include inpatient rehab, outpatient care, medical detoxes, post-rehab counseling and more.
It’s always best to check with your insurance provider’s customer service or patient helpline (as well as your employee assistance program, if you have one) to learn about coverage options and get provider recommendations. The American Addiction Centers’ coverage checker allows you to easily check what services are covered under your insurer and specific coverage plan. Even with insurance, however, treatment can get expensive, and those without insurance are forced to find the money to pay out of pocket.
3. Finding addiction and rehab assistance through crowdfunding
The cost of addiction treatment can be a serious barrier—and another reason why so many people turn to crowdfunding to raise money for addiction treatment. The process is easier than you think. Creating a fundraiser not only makes it possible to raise funds quickly, but it also helps you build an emotional support network, bringing your friends and family along on your journey of recovery.
Crowdfunding on GoFundMe can be a lifeline for people struggling with drug addiction and seeking mental health support. GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform that can help to find the funding needed to join an addiction treatment program. You can also begin withdrawing funds as soon as you start receiving donations. And to help you get started, we provide a number of expert fundraising tips and ideas to help you get the most out of your fundraising experience. It all starts with telling your authentic fundraiser story in a compelling way, then sharing your fundraiser online to reach as many potential donors as possible.
Asking for donations is never easy, which is why GoFundMe makes finding support quick and simple. Read our guide to How GoFundMe Works for a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know, and find answers to all your burning fundraising questions.
4. Addiction charities and non-profit organizations
If you don’t qualify for government grants or can’t afford a private insurance plan, it can be easy to feel hopeless about finding the funds for addiction treatment. But don’t give up. Thanks to the tireless work and generosity of countless drug addiction charities across the US, recovering addicts are able to access support, dedicated communities and financial assistance through charity-run scholarships.
Many of America’s addiction nonprofits are led by people who have experienced substance abuse issues in the past, or the family and friends of former addicts. Reaching out to an addiction charity is a vital first step on any road to recovery, giving you or your loved one access to a community of people who understand. Below is a list of just some of the addiction-related nonprofits operating in the US today, along with some details of the support that they can provide:
- Alcoholics Anonymous: One of the world’s most highly-regarded addiction recovery organizations, Alcoholics Anonymous supports recovering addicts through the power of community and their 12-step program. You can access their online library of A.A. literature for free, and attend open meetings which are held across the country on a regular basis.
- American Boy: Some of the most impactful addiction charities are born from personal experiences, and American Boy is a powerful example. Initiated by the family of someone who lost their battle with addiction, the charity organizes a range of programs and provides treatment scholarships with a focus on long-term recovery.
- She Recovers: A grassroots movement focusing on addiction in women and non-binary people in the US, She Recovers organizes retreats, workshops and compiles addiction resources for those seeking to recover in an identity-based community.
- MARR Addiction Treatment Centers: Providing intensive addiction support in Atlanta, Georgia since 1975—MARR Addiction Treatment Centers focus on removing financial barriers to lifesaving rehabilitation programs. As well as offering treatment scholarships, MARR provides flexible financial options with no upfront costs to access addiction services.
- McAlister Institute: Operating in San Diego County, the McAlister Institute is an award-winning non-profit which provides affordable addiction services at every stage of the recovery process.
- Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: Having helped countless people to win the fight against addiction over the past 75 years, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is ranked as the number one provider of addiction treatment programs in the US. They currently oversee facilities across 8 states, offering a range of addiction services that cater to all ages and circumstances.
Start your addiction treatment fundraiser today
It takes courage to help a loved one who is affected by addiction, and even more courage to start seeking that support for yourself. Every day, people use crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe to raise money for medical expenses—and addiction treatment is no different.
If you or someone you know is currently experiencing an addiction-related crisis, it’s important to take action quickly. Addiction and mental health often go hand-in-hand, so don’t hesitate to reach out to the 988 Crisis Lifeline or SAMHSA’s National Helpline for immediate emergency support.
Whatever stage of addiction recovery that you or a loved one is currently experiencing, take that first step today by seeking out drug rehab assistance.