How much does addiction treatment cost?

How much does addiction treatment cost?

The cost of addiction treatment is probably a lot less than you think.

Probably nowhere as much as you think.

There are multiple options that can keep costs to a minimum.

As with all types of private healthcare, as with most things in life, there are always options.

Addiction treatment often includes a detox, though not everyone needs a detox.

For those that do, no rehab centre would admit you for a period less than that for which a detox would last.

To do so would be extremely risky.

Most rehab centres provide a 28 day programme, but that doesn’t mean you need to go for 28 days.

We are addictions clinicians.

Each of us has over three decades of experience in assessing, diagnosing, prescribing for and treating people caught up in addiction.

Here we share our knowledge with you so you can make an informed choice.

What is addiction treatment?

Addiction treatment incorporates four essential elements of treatment:

• Detox
• Therapy
• Relapse prevention skills
• Aftercare

These four elements are what is required to get you onto to a trajectory of recovery.

With a rehab centre, all four elements are provided.

Trying to get into recovery with only one or two of these elements simply won’t work.

Having a detox without the other three elements will actually make things worse.

Let us explain why.

A detox alone won’t work

Addiction is a symptom.

People do not choose to take drugs or become addicted to alcohol.

Alcohol and drugs are taken to blot out painful memories, psychological trauma and pain as well as putting a barrier between the person and the grim reality they deal with.

Drugs and alcohol numbs emotions and blunts emotional responses.

If you have a detox without the other elements of therapy, relapse prevention and aftercare you are very likely to relapse: Fast.

Why? Because the painful thoughts and memories you were blocking out are now back in play.

You used drugs and alcohol to blot out these memories and deal with the everyday stress and strain.

Without therapy, relapse prevention and aftercare you will simply go back to what you know will numb the emotions and reality you want to escape: drink and drugs.

A standalone detox may be possible for some straight foward alcohol clients and we can arrange this but would discourage you from doing so. It can cost more than residential treatment.

Why do people need a detox?

When you drink alcohol or use drugs for a prolonged period the brain becomes used to them being on receptor sites and will change the way it works to accommodate them.

This means you have reached a state known as physiological tolerance.

You will need to keep using more and more of to have the same effect as the amount you used when you first started.

While this has it’s own inherent dangers, the problems really start if you stop using or reduce too quickly.

The brain simply can not cope with the immediate change. While it scrabbles to re-adjust incorrect chemical messaging occurs. This is what leads to symptoms known as withdrawal.

With some substances, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines, withdrawing without medical intervention can be extremely dangerous and sometimes: Fatal.

A detox, using substitute medication is absolutely essential.

For other substances, such as cocaine and ketamine, while there is no substitute medication, adjunctive drugs are administered to minimise the harm from withdrawal.

Why can’t I go cold turkey when considering the cost of addiction treatment ?

Why? Because you may not live to tell the tale.

Withdrawal from alcohol and benzodiazepines, for example, can lead to, among other things, seizures. Left untreated this can prove fatal. There is also delirium to consider as well as hallucinations.

It is an old adage that heroin withdrawal can be managed with a bucket, some water and a toilet roll. This simply is not true. Diarrhoea from opioid withdrawal can lead to extreme dehydration which, left untreated, can result in an acute medical emergency.

When you stop using, without medical intervention, your brain will tell you that you need to take which is known as craving. While you try and fight these thoughts you known that using is the only thing that will stop your withdrawals.

The problem is that, since you stopped using, your brains ability to process drink and drugs has diminished.

If you use, you will use an amount you think you need to steady yourself. However, it is very likely that, because your brains tolerance level has dropped, you will overdose: By accident.

Why residential rehab and not outpatients or “rehubs”?

Why? Because they don’t work.

The relapse rates for those who have outpatient and online treatment are exceptionally high.

Just as you wouldn’t leave hospital as soon as you wake up from surgery, neither should you rush the process of rehab.

In residential rehab there are staff on duty 24/7. Nurses, clinicians, therapists and trained support staff (many with years in active recovery).

After admission, as soon as you are able to join the therapy groups, you will be welcomed into a welcoming, receptive, non-judgemental but sometimes appropriately challenging environment.

Some people, due to their poor physical state, may not be able to join in for a day or two.

An online approach, with an “at home” detox does not provide this level of support. If you are craving, it is simple enough to turn off your computer and relapse. No one is going to knock on your door. There is no safety follow up.

A home detox with online treatment can often be far more expensive that residential treatment.

Group therapy

If you are thinking that group therapy is not for you than you are entirely the person who would benefit from it.

Group therapy has been used in rehabs for nearly 100 years. Why? Because it works.

If you don’t like speaking in front of others, if groups alarm you then all the more reason why you need to be supported in a group therapy environment.

Individual therapy is extremely draining and no more than one session a week should ever be attempted.

All residential centres offer a session of individual therapy a week.

Some centres use a 12 step approach: some don’t. It really doesn’t matter which approach is used.

Time spent worrying about which model is used is time wasted.

You don’t need to follow any religion to use a 12 step model.

Group therapy works: If you work at it.

Relapse prevention when thinking of the cost of addiction treatment

Without drugs and alcohol numbing your emotions and blotting out painful memories you know how to manage them yourself and regulate your responses naturally.

Relapse prevention is all about learning to how manage emotions and situations that, previously, would have led you to use.

People relapse: FACT.

However, as Winston Churchill said: Never miss the opportunity of a crisis.

A relapse gives you the opportunity to use the skills you have learned.

On any trajectory there are bumps in the road. A relapse is such a bump.

Aftercare when considering the cost of addiction treatment

Aftercare, aftercare, aftercare.

We would use the word more if it helped to get the message across as to how important it is.

Aftercare normally includes regular telephone check in with the rehab centre as well as a weekly support group (in person or online).

There will also be a dedicated number to call for support if you are struggling.

How much does addiction treatment cost?

Most centres offer a standard 28 treatment plan.

This can be booked for under £8,000 or less.

The length of time needed depends on your detox needs.

Someone with an opioid dependency will, normally, need at least 28 days.

Alcohol clients can be detoxed, safely in 10-14 days.

Ketamine and cocaine clients: a week to ten days.

The therapy programme is a rolling programme and can be joined on any day of the week meaning it doesn’t matter what day of the week you get admitted.

Therapy is not a process which is completed in rehab.

It will get you to a point where you can carry on at home with your weekly support group and/or local community 12 step or SMART group.

Can I have a short admission when considering the cost of addiction treatment ?

For some people, yes, a short admission can be arranged.

It depends, entirely on a case by case basis.

Normally low dependent alcohol clients and those with cocaine and ketamine addiction can benefit from short admissions.

No one can be admitted for less than a week as it would not be safe.

It is cheaper if I go for a week when considering the cost of addiction treatment ?

Absolutely.

There is one thing to consider. If you go for a week and extend, you usually have to pay the same weekly fee whereas if you had booked for 2 weeks it would have cost you less.

Some centres allow you to pay for 2 weeks and then, at the end of the two weeks, pay for another: if needed.

Are some centres more expensive than others?

Absolutely.

There are homely small, independent centres as well as chain owned centres.

All provide the essential elements needed.

You can choose between a local privately owned centre or one aimed at executives.

With regards to the elements of treatment it really doesn’t matter where you go.

High end centres provide bolt on treatment and have luxury surroundings but if you don’t put the work in the extra money you spend is wasted.

While organic carrot juice and yoga with a miniature goat might be enjoyable but it not necessary.

How can I find a low cost rehab centre when asking the cost of addiction treatment ?

We are addictions clinicians.

Each of us have over three decades experience in assessing, diagnosing, prescribing for and treating people in rehab centres across the UK.

Between us, we have worked in most of the centres in the UK and retain excellent links with them.

We know what you need and what you don’t.

Our personal experience means we can signpost you to the most appropriate centre.

It matters not to us where you go, just that you get the best care possible without breaking the bank.

How can Find Me a Rehab help with the cost of addiction treatment ?

Among us we have worked in most of the rehab centres in the country though we are not tied to any.

We give free, independent and confidential advice to anyone who is thinking of getting into treatment for addiction.

We can advise you on detox, rehab, home treatment, therapy, relapse prevention and aftercare.

Call, email, livechat or whattsap one of us and we can advise you on treatment options, treatment plans, locations, costings and logistics.

Only legally registered services are signposted to.

The cost of addiction treatment is not as expensive as you think.

There are lots of options.

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