Drug Treatment Cost
Choosing to take a step toward a life free from drug addiction can be a challenging endeavor, and drug treatment costs do factor into this positive life altering decision. When a person is ready to take the step towards drug treatment, it's important to know the options that are available in order to make an informed decision. Drug treatment costs will vary from program to program. Most people in search of treatment for drug addiction or alcoholism equate the most expensive drug treatment program or the longest term rehab to being the most successful, but that is not necessarily true. Yes, some drug rehab programs cost less, but the average cost for a residential drug rehab program is about $7,000-$8,000 per month. There are drug treatment facilities that are paid for by the government with our tax dollars and there are treatment programs that charge more than 100K for a 30 day program.
When individuals are considering the cost of drug treatment, they should take into account the price that their loved ones pay from the negative effects of their drug or alcohol addiction. The effects of addiction can be various and widespread and sometimes can take decades to play out. For instance, children of parents who suffer from addiction to alcohol or drugs are more likely to suffer from drug or alcohol addiction themselves. In addition they often have physical and emotional difficulties, which impact the fabric of society in a multitude of ways.
There are several other factors that determine what will produce the most desirable outcome in drug rehab and they all have more to do with the treatment approach than finances. A general rule of thumb is, in the case of a severe alcohol or drug addiction problem the duration in a residential treatment program should not be less than 90 days long. A long term (90 days or more) program with a drug-free approach allowing the brain time to heal and one that addresses the addiction and incorporates an educational component is what is important to look for when choosing a drug treatment program. Drug users and their families should look for drug treatment centers with staff that are determined to succeed in the recovery process and are experts in the addiction field, proven by the drug treatment center's statistics. Based on research and studies, there are several key factors that addicted individuals and their families should look for in effective drug rehabilitation programs other than treatment cost. They are as follows:
- No single treatment is appropriate for all individuals with addictions, but some treatment programs may have far greater success rates than others. Each individual is unique; therefore treatment should be tailored for each individual.
- Effective drug and alcohol treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her drug addiction.
- Remaining in treatment for the duration of the program is critical for treatment effectiveness.
- Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective.
- Possible drug use during treatment must be monitored regularly.
- Treatment programs should provide address health issues, if they exist.
The professional staff involvement at any comprehensive and quality rehab facility does not allow bargain treatment prices, and you may need to be prepared to spend a significant amount of money to get the highest quality and most effective treatment program. Ideally, a larger proportion of the costs may possibly be offset by your insurance provider, but even if the total costs of the drug treatment program must be met by the individual, the necessity of recovery demands that the costs of a program not discourage families.
When evaluating a residential rehab, look at more than drug treatment costs, as a program should never be selected on price alone. The drug treatment cost may or may not reflect quality of care and service, and it cannot be overstated how important it is to evaluate the success rates of the drug treatment center. The price also needs to be factored into the decision, but by choosing a drug treatment on price alone you may not be getting your money's worth. Finding the right treatment program involves careful consideration of things such as the setting, length of care and the philosophical approach to drug treatment as well as you and your loved one's needs. Listed below are a number of questions that may help you to determine the best treatment options for you or your loved one:
- Is the drug treatment center run by professional and well-trained staff?
- Does the drug treatment center encompass the full range of you or your loved one's needs? Do they offer medical and social support?
- Does the drug treatment center conduct an ongoing assessment of the individual's treatment plan?
- Does the treatment program employ effective strategies to engage and keep individuals in longer-term treatment?
- Does the drug treatment center help the addict master the tools and other behavioral therapies that they will need to enhance the patient's ability to function in the family and community?
- Does the drug treatment center have a high success rate?
- Are services offered to family members to ensure that they understand addiction and the recovery process?
- What types of drug treatment methods are available?
Drug and alcohol abuse is very expensive, and many families endure financial ruin through the insatiable needs for drugs by the addicted loved one. Additionally, when the increased health care and decreased work productivity costs are factored into the equation, treatment becomes the only practical option. Rehab is an investment in the future, and like any investment, you will have to pay for it; but the returns of rehab can be great, and with success, the ultimate financial benefits are sure to greatly exceed any amount of costs of treatment. While any residential program is expensive, the alternatives to recovery are more costly, and if a onetime investment can achieve success and sobriety, drug treatment becomes priceless.