Rehab programmes usually consist either of outpatient and full inpatient care, and it’s often the seriousness of the addiction and availability of resources that will often dictate whether a residential rehab facility is chosen. With programmes often being tailored to the needs of the individual, private rehab comes at a cost that is often reflective of the specific needs of the addict.
For many people, it’s the potential rehab costs which are the deciding factor when it comes to deciding which treatment path to take. While the cost of rehab can be off putting at first, the costs of not doing rehab are usually more severe, especially if the addiction continues or worsens.
If you are considering rehab for yourself, or even for a loved one, how much might you expect to have to pay? Our guide will outline the factors that impact drug or alcohol rehab costs and the typical charges you might expect to pay depending on the type of specialist services received.
Factors affecting the cost of rehab
Private rehab treatment can be costly and there are several factors that can influence prices including the location, facilities, type and length of treatment required. A more severe addiction will inevitably require longer treatment and therefore incur greater costs.
Some of the key price factors when it comes to drug and alcohol rehab and other addiction programmes include the following:
Location
Choice of location is often key in aiding recovery. Those seeking addiction treatment are often better served in an overseas rehab facility where they are away from distractions and addiction triggers, and this inevitably brings with it greater costs.
For those looking for rehab treatment closer to home, rehab located in major cities will often tend to be more costly than services located in more rural areas, though the actual facilities available at the centre will be the overriding cost factor.
Facilities
Private rehab centres vary in terms of the treatment facilities available to customers. Some can be quite basic, while at the other end of the scale others can have luxurious facilities, including spas, swimming pools and even hyperbaric oxygen chambers. These added extras will impact on the overall treatment costs.
You could be forgiven for thinking that this high-end type of rehab facility is just for recovering rock stars and the like, but this type of luxury residential rehabilitation does offer the best care and environment to provide the best chances of recovery. While it might not be within the finances of everyone, there are nonetheless other less luxurious options that still provide an excellent and less costly way forward.
Service treatment types
Don’t get too hung up on the aesthetics of a rehab facility — while the surroundings are important to some extent, it’s the treatment that is most important after all. The types of treatment programmes that are available is an important factor when it comes to the cost of rehab.
Drug and alcohol treatments may differ, as will the rehab programme required for more severe substance abuse issues, and this will be reflected in the cost. In some instances medical equipment and medications may be needed as part of the treatment plan, and this adds to the costs of rehab.
While there are both inpatient and outpatient treatment options — and inpatient rehab is more costly — it does generally offer better care and support than outpatient rehab, and therefore provides a better chance of a full long-term recovery.
Some of the features and benefits of inpatient rehab include:
- Supervised detox to ensure safe withdrawal from addiction substances.
- Regular therapy sessions — group therapy sessions, counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy and holistic treatments — to ensure that an individual’s mental condition is looked after as much as their physical condition.
- Almost immediate admission means no waiting lists for treatment.
- 24/7 care and support with staff always available..
- Full focus on recovery free from any distractions or potential addiction triggers.
Length of treatment
Drug and alcohol treatment is tailored to the individual, so addiction treatment plans are somewhat unique in terms of the duration of treatment. For some people, a one week programme may be sufficient, while for others, a month-long stay or multiple month residential rehab may be more appropriate.
This has an impact on rehab cost overall, where an extended stay could prove a costly but nonetheless worthwhile investment in an individual requiring addiction treatment. It’s possible that some addictions may be able to be handled on an outpatient basis and this would be significantly less costly than residential rehab.
Staff expertise
Inpatient rehab centres will have key staff, including medical professionals, counsellors plus other support staff, on-site 24/7 to provide care for patients. Each will be skilled in different aspects including drug rehab, alcohol addiction, medical supervision, mental health, withdrawal symptoms and more.
Having more of these professionals on-site — and therefore a good staff-to-patient ratio — comes at a cost, but ensures effective treatment at all times. The more the staff availability, the greater the prospect of more individualised care.
Aftercare
The journey to sobriety doesn’t end following the end of a rehab programme. Returning to normal everyday life, following alcohol addiction treatment, drug rehab, or any other addiction treatment can be difficult.
That is why most rehab clinics will offer some form of aftercare support, especially after a prolonged residential stay in a controlled and structured environment, to ensure a smoother transition to normality. Counselling and support groups provide individuals with the tools and guidance they need to maintain sobriety and this is usually included in the overall programme package costs.
How much does rehab cost?
Rehab facilities offer a range of services and the differences between them is reflected in the wide range of prices. All will generally offer treatment, addiction counselling and some degree of aftercare programme to prevent relapse.
Residential rehab centres offering the most basic treatment options would be likely to charge around €1,200 to €1,800 per week. At the other end of the scale, luxury clinic can cost anything from €12,000 to €25,000
Does the cost of rehab depend on the type of addiction?
The cost of rehab can be affected by the type of addiction. Certain substances can be harder to withdraw from and will have greater withdrawal symptoms. This can require longer detox treatment, medication, greater monitoring and supervision, which will impact on the cost of rehab.
Some addictions require lengthier stays, with severe alcohol and opioid addiction often being the toughest and most costly to overcome. These can often require some of the more expensive rehab treatments from addiction specialists.
Is it possible to go for detox only?
For anyone in the grip of addiction, their first priority is to rid themselves of any dependence on the substance they are addicted to. Those addicted to alcohol or a drug such as heroin or other opiods, for example, may experience dangerous withdrawal symptoms and therefore require a medical detox, and many opt for a detox-only stay of perhaps a week or so.
However, opting for detox without all the necessary follow up and support is generally not recommended. Detox is just one stage of the recovery process and one week of rehab for someone who has a severe addiction is likely to be insufficient for their needs, with 4 weeks being the minimum recommended stay.
Of course, it is possible to go for detox, but then choose to have follow up therapy elsewhere. This can reduce your costs but may lead to a lack of proper continuity in care.
What options are available if you are unable to afford residential rehab?
Consider outpatient rehab
Outpatient rehab treatment is a much more affordable option as there is no residential cost associated with it. Those opting for outpatient treatment are able to return home after sessions, and pay for treatment with much lower costs. A week of outpatient rehab can start from around €1,200 but will depend on location and facilities.
Check your private health insurance
It is always worth checking any health insurance policies to see if it covers any sort of rehabilitation programme, either in full or partially. Insurance policies vary greatly and it may not be obvious if it covers rehab.
Local drug and alcohol services
Some government funded detox and drug and alcohol services may be available in your local area on an outpatient basis. With a key worker helping establish a plan, individuals could be prescribed detox medication as part of the treatment to help with the symptoms of withdrawal, plus therapy sessions may be offered to help with the recovery journey.
Support groups
There are many support groups available to help those requiring drug addiction treatment or rehab for other addictions. Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Gamblers Anonymous are able to help people through 12-12-Step programmes that are able to help them and achieve recovery and maintain abstinence from their addiction.
Can a friend or family member cover the rehab costs?
The cost of residential rehab can often put it outside the reach of individuals, especially ones already struggling with the costs of their own addiction. That is one of the reasons why it is not uncommon for family or friends to want to cover the costs for a loved one.
In most cases, it is possible for someone else to cover the cost of rehab, although not all rehab centres will necessarily accept payment from a third party. The only drawback of someone else covering the costs is that the patient may not be as aware of the financial amount involved, and as it has not come out of their own pocket, may not be as committed to the recovery process as they would be if they were paying for it themselves.
Still concerned about the costs of rehab?
If the cost of drug addiction, alcohol, or other addiction treatment is still concerning you, get in touch with us. There is no denying that drug and alcohol addictions and rehabilitation is costly, and those costs can quickly add up, but that’s nothing compared with the costs to human life of not addressing a serious addiction.
If you’ve explored all the free options out there, or the scale of your addiction or that of a loved one, is such that residential rehab treatment is required, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Living with an addiction has costs in itself, both financially and healthwise, so the costs of doing nothing could be far greater in terms of consequences. You simply can’t put a cost on living a substance-free life.
At InnerLife Recovery we’ve helped thousands of people on their recovery journey. Our residential rehab in Spain provides a nurturing and supportive environment to help with recovery and long-term sobriety.
Through a carefully designed in-patient programme, we offer comprehensive medical and clinical care, ensuring that individuals are supported every step of the way. With sessions led by experienced professionals, many with lived experience of addiction, we address the underlying issues that contribute to addictions. Combining treatment with a holistic approach, including music and art therapy or meditation, we ensure the needs of the whole individual are catered for.
We recommend our 28-day residential treatment in Spain as the minimum rehab programme for a full and lasting recovery.
