Due to soaring high rates of substance abuse in the U.S., the demand for addiction treatment programs has increased accordingly, and rehabilitation facilities have risen to meet demand.
It is a widespread belief that treatment can decrease the annual $600 billion social and health costs of untreated addiction, as treatment costs are significantly less expensive. However, treatment can be expensive depending on the type of rehab. There are many options nationwide, from free rehab centers to private-pay treatment facilities.
The uncalculated costs of treatment often deter people who need it from going to rehab. Understanding the costs and available financial options can break down these barriers.
Factors of Treatment Costs
Treatment costs vary depending on the type of program, level of care, geographic location, time length of treatment, and amenities or special services offered.
Insurance is another major influencing factor of treatment costs. Health insurance plans often cover the financial costs, which can make going to rehab more affordable.
Drug and alcohol addiction treatment coverage is mandated by the Affordable Care Act, which means all health insurance policies must cover treatment costs, at least partially. This includes all types of health insurance, including private, state-funded, military, Medicaid, and Medicare insurance plans. However, not all rehabs accept insurance.
The types of amenities and therapeutic services also affect the total cost of treatment. Basic services such as individual counseling are typically included in the price structure. Therapeutic interventions and services such as medication management and specialized therapies can be added expenses that are not always covered by insurance.
Average Costs Per Treatment in 2022
According to statistical data gathered and calculated by the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, the average cost of treatment at rehab is $13,475 per person.
The lowest average cost for medical detox treatment is $1,750, inpatient rehab for 30 days is $6,000, and outpatient treatment is $5,000 for three months on average.
The average costs per person for each type of treatment in 2022 after adjustment for inflation are estimated as follows:
- Methadone treatment - $12,183
- Outpatient, non-methadone - $2,228
- Intensive outpatient - $4,939
- Adolescent outpatient - $3,278
- Adult residential - $9,766
- Drug court treatment - $5,083
- Therapeutic community - $32,523
- Incarceration therapeutic community - $2,317
Detoxification Treatment Costs
The costs of detoxification treatment are sometimes contingent on whether a person continues their stay at the rehab center for inpatient care or if they leave against medical advice.
A seven-day minimum detox program can range from $250 to $800 per day, averaging $3,675 per week. Supervised detox at a private facility can average $575 per day.
Cost of Treatment per State
Rehabs range in cost depending on which state they are located. There are a total of 17,808 substance abuse clinics in the U.S. and 443 facilities offer treatment free of cost.
New York treats the highest number of substance use disorders. Wyoming treats the fewest, and is the second most expensive state, at $65,975 per average individual. The least expensive state for getting treatment is Idaho, where the average total cost is $42,195 per person, and the most expensive is the District of Columbia, at $66,538.
Finding Affordable Treatment Programs
Unless treatment is court-ordered, most people are at liberty to decide the type of treatment they want, and what will accommodate their budgetary constraints.
The vast majority of typical, mid-range treatment programs and rehabs accept most insurance plans and other financial options, such as payment plans or scholarships. These types of programs offer basic services and do not provide luxury amenities. A lot of these programs are run by non-profit facilities that prioritize high-quality care.
Nonprofit facilities and programs cost $5,700 per person on average. Privately run facilities that lean toward luxury are typically an average of $17,400 out of pocket.
There are also low-cost and free programs funded by the state or social services, available to those who cannot afford private pay, or may not have health insurance. Although there are often waiting lists for programs that are lower-cost, there are treatment options for just about everyone on the nation’s socioeconomic spectrum.
