You cannot afford to forgo expensive specialty therapy for a substance use disorder (SUD). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Americans suffer a yearly financial loss of over $600 billion due to alcohol and drug addiction. And while reducing the cost of that heavy price tag by getting individuals the treatment they require, many people with SUDs cannot or are unable to receive specialized addiction treatment.

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Exorbitant Prices

What was the main justification given by respondents for not pursuing recovery at a drug or alcohol treatment center? The cost was substantial from the daily price of medical detox to residential drug rehab facilities.

Will I Also Lose My Job?

No. Being upfront and honest with your boss about your desire to receive treatment will ensure that your employer will be happy to have you back after your treatment is complete. As long as you furnish your employer with a medical recommendation and are not actively using, you are authorized to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave under the Family Medical Leave Act in order to complete a substance abuse treatment program.

Individual Financing

Although most of us don’t have access to thousands of dollars, we frequently have emergency money, savings accounts, 401(k)s, investments, and life insurance monies we can draw upon if necessary. You can also think about downsizing to a smaller home and selling some of your possessions. Don’t be afraid to seek your family for financial support. Tell them the money is not for drugs or bailouts, regardless of what has transpired in the past.

Insurance

Insurance plans can now cover mental illness and addiction in the same ways that they cover medical expenses thanks to the enactment of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Depending on your plan and coverage, your insurer may pay for most or all of the costs associated with your treatment.

If you cannot afford a private insurance plan with full coverage, your neighborhood Affordable Care Act (ACA) healthcare exchange offers several income-restricted options. Find out from your insurance company if they are in network with your plan and exactly what it covered and what is not when you are first researching various drug rehabs and the services each one offers.

Scholarships/Grants, Sliding Fees, and Payment Plans

Many drug and alcohol treatment centers provide payment plans or sliding scales that are based on your income and assets. For instance, Renaissance Ranch works with patients individually to keep monthly treatment costs manageable.

For patients who have a clear financial need, non-profit organizations, private businesses, government agencies, and addiction treatment facilities also made scholarships available. Grants are given out by the National Institutes of Health and the SAMHSA to impoverished groups that include teenagers, expecting women, and IV drug users. The EAP of your own employer might also offer a small amount of money for recovery.

Facilities with State Funding

Every state has at least one publicly supported drug rehab that is extremely affordable or free to locals. Many state-funded addiction recovery centers have top-notch doctors and programs, so the stereotype that they don’t offer the greatest care isn’t always accurate. These programs, however, frequently have extremely long wait lists for care due to a lack of resources, and they might not accommodate all of your recovery needs.

Medical Credit

Banks and other credit providers have offered specialist cards for financing medical expenses due to the growing cost of healthcare. These credit programs provide zero-interest loans with quick payback terms (up to 12 months) and much cheaper interest rates than a typical credit card for longer-term payoffs. Note that certain interest payments are postponed, so you must carefully read the tiny print.

Crowdfunding

In order to start a crowdfunding campaign, you must first tell your story on a social media fundraising website like GoFundMe or CoFundHealth and enlist the help of friends and acquaintances. Your friends are supposed to donate, pass the virtual plate to their friends, and so on in order for your tale to spread like wildfire.

Most people are unlikely to want to provide money to someone who abuses substances indiscriminately. In light of this, we advise to request that an unbiased third party handle the account and transmit the money directly to the addiction treatment facility.

Individual Credit

Your typical credit cards, home equity loans, and other forms of financing can be used for practically anything. However, that independence typically carries a significantly higher interest rate. If you are forced to take this course of action, it is best to compare rates and payment terms.

Even though it might sound terrifying to spend all of your cash, sell your belongings, or incur debt to pay for therapy, think about the alternative to getting help. Without a doubt, spending money on addiction recovery is spending money on a happier, healthier future.

7 Ways to Pay for Substance Abuse Treatment