The first step in overcoming an addiction is to rid your body of the substance you are addicted to. Whether you’re working to overcome a dependency on drugs, alcohol, or other substances, there is a detox method tailored to your needs. Of course, treatment isn’t free, and the cost of detox—as well as the total cost of rehab—depends on several factors, including the type of substance, length of stay, and specific program. The average cost for detox varies widely, but knowing the cost of drug or alcohol detox options can help you plan for treatment effectively.
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How Severe Is Your Dependency?
If you are attempting to detox after using for several straight days or weeks, you will likely need inpatient care or inpatient rehab to ensure you do so safely. For those detoxing for the first time, inpatient treatment is often recommended since it’s hard to predict how your body will react.
Even if you don’t anticipate severe symptoms, there is always a risk of experiencing severe depression, hallucinations, or other side effects that require medical attention. Opting for inpatient treatment lowers the risk of harm to yourself or others as your mind and body return to a stable state.
Generally speaking, inpatient treatment is more expensive than an outpatient program or other options because it covers your stay in the facility, medical supervision, and any administered medications. However, if you opt for an outpatient program or intensive outpatient treatment, you’ll primarily pay for transportation to meetings and any prescribed medications to manage detox symptoms and assist in your recovery.
| Level of Care | Description | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Detox | Basic detox for mild cases with minimal medical support; patients visit a facility but do not stay overnight. | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| Intensive Outpatient Program | Higher level of care for those needing more frequent visits and additional support than standard outpatient. | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Inpatient Medical Detox | 24/7 care in a medical facility, ideal for moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms and complex needs. | $5,000 – $7,000 |
| Residential Detox | Inpatient setting in a rehab center, providing a secure environment with medical and mental health support. | $7,000 – $10,000 |
| Dual Diagnosis Detox | Specialized detox for patients with co-occurring mental health conditions; requires specialized interventions and medical staff. | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Holistic Detox | Combines traditional detox with holistic therapies (yoga, acupuncture, etc.) in a rehab facility. | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) | Detox that includes medication (e.g., methadone) to ease withdrawal symptoms, often in an outpatient or inpatient setting. | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Aftercare Programs | Ongoing support post-detox to prevent relapse, including therapy and support groups. | $1,000 – $2,000 per month |
Is Your Detox Treatment Covered by Insurance?
Insurance coverage can significantly reduce the amount you’ll pay for treatment, regardless of how much help you need. An in-network insurance plan, for example, may require little more than a copayment for a stay in a treatment facility or a copayment for any medication you’ll need. This can potentially whittle down a bill totaling thousands of dollars or more to as little as $100 in some cases, minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.
Ideally, you’ll review your existing insurance policy and any available payment options before deciding on treatment. Alternatively, you can call your insurance provider or speak directly with the treatment center to get more clarity about what is covered, including whether Medicare, Medicaid, or specific insurance companies provide financial assistance or flexible payment plans. A trusted friend or family member can also take these steps for you if you’re not able to do so yourself in your current condition.
It’s also important to understand that your insurance plan can influence where you get treatment. For instance, in-network coverage may be available only at certain centers within your state, or your policy might cover only outpatient treatment. Additionally, some policies will cover only certain medications needed to help you retain sobriety. When looking into treatment, be sure to ask about payment plans or financial assistance options if any costs are left uncovered by your insurance.
Are You Going to Stay Home or Leave?
Even if your insurance policy doesn’t cover the cost of treatment out of state, it may still be in your best interest to leave. This is because you’ll be in a neutral environment where you won’t feel triggered by familiar people or locations.
Of course, you’ll still be on the hook for various expenses if you leave home for treatment whether the cost of treatment itself is covered. Primarily, you’ll need to figure out how you will pay to drive or fly to a facility in another city or state.
Depending on your condition, you might not be able to drive yourself, and it might be difficult to travel by train, plane or other mode of public transport if you’re not sober. Therefore, you might have to either rely on a friend or family member or hope that a private organization is willing to help you get to a treatment facility away from home.
Can You Work While Receiving Treatment?
Perhaps the best reason to stay home while receiving treatment is that you’ll have a better chance of remaining employed. Your boss might allow you to remain on the payroll while you seek treatment, which means that you’ll have a source of income and retain your health insurance.
In the event that you aren’t paid while you seek treatment, the fact that you’re still employed likely means that you keep your health insurance. It’s also possible that your employer will offer partial pay to those who are out for medical or other personal reasons for an extended period of time.
There is also a chance that your employer will offer to both pay you while seeking treatment and pay for treatment itself. In such a scenario, you won’t have to worry about taking care of yourself and your family while getting the help that you need. Having your employer pay for care may mean that you can travel to another city or state without worrying about how much it would cost to do so.
Do You Have Ongoing Medical Concerns?
For most, the effects of detoxing will only last a few days. However, for those detoxing from substances like opioids or benzodiazepines, side effects can persist for several days or even weeks. This may mean requiring several doses of medications, such as methadone for opioid withdrawal or other medications for pain management, which can increase the cost of treatment.
There’s also a chance of experiencing ongoing symptoms such as nausea, trouble sleeping, or other issues long after completing an opiate or benzodiazepine detox. Although these effects may not impact the initial cost of your detox, they can contribute to the overall cost of recovery as you address longer-term medical and therapeutic needs.
Why Professional Detox Services Are Worth It
Although it may cost a significant amount to obtain the help of professionals, enrolling in a detox program is a wise investment in your future. Undergoing medical detox under the care of a doctor ensures that you’ll receive the proper medication as part of the detox process if needed. Whether you choose inpatient detox or outpatient detox, having access to medical and mental health services reduces the risks associated with self-detoxification, including severe withdrawal symptoms or thoughts of self-harm.
This type of supervised care significantly lowers the risk of lasting physical damage or even death that can occur if you don’t get critical medication in time or attempt to self-medicate. Additionally, medical supervision minimizes the risk of harming others due to hallucinations, frustration, or cravings that can arise during drug detox.
With professional support, you’ll have people to talk to as the fog lifts, helping you process what you’ve done to your body. Mental health professionals can assist you in identifying triggers and developing strategies to avoid relapse. This is especially beneficial if you have underlying conditions such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD, which may heighten the likelihood of addiction beyond just drugs or alcohol.
Finally, professional detoxification services are invaluable because they place you in an environment where your success is the top priority. It’s critical to understand that overcoming addiction alone is extremely challenging, and surrounding yourself with others going through their own detox and recovery can be a transformative experience.
Ultimately, investing in professional help means that you’ll have access to resources for as long as you need them. While inpatient care typically lasts 30 to 60 days, outpatient programs can support you in sustaining recovery for the long term.
Seek Help Today
If you are in need of drug, alcohol, or any other type of addiction treatment, the team at Long Island Treatment Center is here to help. We offer a variety of treatment programs and treatment options tailored to fit your needs and budget both now and for the long term. Our goal is to design treatment plans that put you in a position to overcome your addiction and lead the productive, peaceful life you deserve.
In addition to those currently battling addiction, we also encourage the loved ones of those struggling with dependency to contact us today. We can discuss our various programs, types of treatment, their costs, and how to enroll in them as soon as possible.