How much does inpatient rehab cost?
A standard rehab centre can cost about £1,500-£3,000 per week. Therefore, if you go for rehab treatment for a minimum of 4 weeks, you'll pay about £10,000 or more.
There are private addiction rehab centres that cost a minimum of £10,000 per week. Other private rehab clinics charge between £12,000 and £16,000 for drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
A common question from those seeking addiction treatment is 'how much does private rehab cost?' It is difficult to pin a fixed price on inpatient rehab as different treatment centres have varying costs.
Factors such as the type of facility, its location, amenities provided, treatments offered, plus other factors also affect the cost of alcohol rehab.
Addiction treatment is expensive.
Most people are discouraged from pursuing substance abuse treatment because of the high costs. But the good news is that most treatment centres offer flexible payment options.
You can find a rehab centre with a flat cost for the first 28 days of treatment. If your addiction treatment goes beyond the 28 days, they can reduce your cost for each week [1].
Most rehab treatment centres have sliding scale fees and other solutions to help you pay for addiction treatment.
There are free treatment solutions for those who seek addiction treatment but cannot afford rehab. This free option is mainly through NHS funding. The only drawback with free drug /alcohol treatment is the long waiting lists.
You may have to wait for up to a year before you get treatment.
Factors that can influence rehab costs in the UK
The factors that influence rehab cost in the UK are:
The type of rehab programmes offered.
Each treatment centre has its unique programme for alcohol/drug addiction treatment. Still, there are basic treatment options that you'll find in all treatment types, whether basic or luxury rehab.
The three main treatment phases are detox, inpatient, and secondary treatment services.
Detoxification
Most rehab clinics offer detox, which is the most critical phase of addiction treatment. Detox alone can cost around £2,000. Detoxification lasts about 7 to 10 days. Some people opt for detoxing at home, which can cost between £995 to £1,850.
Be warned, however, that home detoxification is only recommended for those struggling with mild to moderate addiction issues.
Problem drinkers or those with substance abuse disorders are at risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms if they detox without medical supervision.
The main benefit of detoxing at a rehab centre is that you'll get 24-hour supervision and support as you go through this challenging stage.
Inpatient rehab
Inpatient alcohol rehab clinics are the more expensive option for addiction treatment. Yet, it is the best treatment option that offers higher chances for success at long-term recovery.
The reason why inpatient rehab cost is high is because of the extensive services provided and 24/7 care.
Since inpatient rehab means that you are staying in the facility for some time, it is up to the treatment provider to give you food, accommodation, medical care, addiction services, utilities, etc.
As such, inpatient care costs are high because the treatment provider incurs the costs involved for the services, amenities, and accommodation during your length of stay.
The average cost for inpatient treatment is around £6,000 (for a 28-day treatment). You can pay about £1,000 to £1,500 per week, or more, for drug/alcohol rehab.
The actual cost of treatment depends on the facility, length of stay, the type of treatment you require, etc.
Most drug/alcohol rehab centres offer free consultation, and some provide a free clinical assessment to help you determine which best treatment plan based on your needs.
Most rehab facilities offer outpatient rehab as well. For this option, you can make a one-time payment of around £3,000. The actual cost depends on the type of facility.
People who are not afraid of spending more money on treatment can choose luxurious rehab facilities. As the name suggests, such facilities come with extensive services and amenities.
Patients get a private room, massage therapy, private nurses, personal assistant, professional chefs, and so on. Rehab costs can be as high as £10,000 per week in luxurious addiction rehab centres.
Secondary services
Residential rehab centres offer detox, therapy, and aftercare services. In most cases, the aftercare entails more therapy (counselling, group therapy, and alternative therapies, e.g., sports, yoga, mindfulness).
Each residential rehab has its unique approach to aftercare. Some may link their patients to community groups such as Alcoholics anonymous. Others may provide extensive aftercare services as part of the overall cost.
You need to look for a rehab clinic that provides free aftercare services. The reason is that aftercare is integral for relapse prevention. If you have a specific rehab clinic in mind, you can call them to discuss their aftercare services.
Most residential rehab facilities offer free online consultation or call back services when you leave your contact on their website.
Attending a residential rehab centre with an extensive aftercare service increases your chance for long-term sobriety.
Details of how Abbeycare can help with alcohol addiction.
What is covered in the rehab cost?
When you pay for residential rehab, the price caters for:
- Accommodation
- All activities provided in the facility
- A tailored detox programme
- 4 weeks primary treatment (the longer you stay, the higher the price).
- Medication fee
- Food
- Utilities provided
- Property maintenance
- The staff cost e.g., therapists, nurses, addiction trained professionals.
- Cost of government compliance
- Amenities provided
What is addiction costing you?
If you take time to examine the life of an addict, you will agree that the cost of addiction is more than the cost you pay for rehab. Alcohol addiction is the most prevalent substance abuse in the UK [2].
Alcohol addiction comes with a lot of costs: costs in health, relationships, professional progress, and financial consequences. Chronic alcohol and drug use can also lead to costly legal issues.
The Local government reports that nearly half of the people in prison committed drug-related crimes. Moreover, nearly half of acquisitive crime is committed by drug users.
In the UK, alcohol and drug addiction costs around £19.3 billion per year. Alcohol related harm costs the country £3.5 billion annually [4].
Alcohol costs the individual as it harms income and increases the chances of families breaking up. The average household spends around £915 annually on drinks.
When people go out to drink, they spend around £432 annually [5]. In the long term, alcohol and drug abuse costs tens of thousands of euros and contributes to the deterioration of the addict's health.
When you consider the cost of addiction, drug and alcohol rehab prices are less costly.
Why pay for treatment?
Paying for alcohol and drug rehab may seem too much, but it is worth it compared to the cost of continuing with the alcohol or drug abuse.
Most drug and alcohol rehab centres provide immediate confidential help once you reach out to them and agree on the mode of payment.
Addiction rehab costs are worth it as the treatment facility will provide you with various treatment options and responsive treatment. Your treatment provider will arrange for immediate admission to their programme.
Also, they will deliver individualized care and provide your family with the support they need.
Contrary to NHS treatment options, a private rehab facility offers quick and easy admission with no waiting times.
This fast response rate makes private drug and alcohol rehab a great option for those with chronic addiction.
When you pay for treatment, you work with addiction counsellors to create an individualized treatment plan suitable to your needs. In most cases, addicts have a dual diagnosis.
Some mix alcohols with drug abuse. Others ended up in addiction because of a pre-existing mental health issue.
Some struggle with addiction and have an underlying medical condition. When you attend rehab, medical professionals conduct a comprehensive assessment and develop a rehab programme suitable to your unique needs.
Paying for a treatment facility is worth it because you get to participate in various treatment activities that will help you achieve long term sobriety. Drug and alcohol rehab programmes usually consist of a variety of therapy sessions.
Attending rehab also provides you with a chance to participate in a support group which is excellent for your wellbeing. Most centres have a sliding scale fee to make treatment accessible.
Types of addiction treatment and costs
The types of addiction treatment options available are:
a). Inpatient alcohol and drug rehab.
Inpatient rehab lets you stay in the facility for some time. The cost of inpatient varies depending on your length of stay, amongst other factors. The cost of rehab for a 28-day inpatient stay is around £4000.
Some people choose to stay for three months, six months, or 12 months. A certified addiction counsellor will provide medical advice on the most suitable length of stay, depending on your needs.
b). Outpatient rehab.
Outpatient rehab allows a person to reside in their homes while still obtaining treatment at a rehab clinic. Most rehabs offer both inpatient and outpatient options.
The outpatient option is recommended for mild to moderate alcohol and drug users. Although outpatient is cheaper than inpatient, it comes with challenges.
Different UK rehab centres offer different prices for outpatient services. Some rehabs charge around £1000 per week for outpatient.
Some centres can provide a one-off payment ranging from £3000 to £8,250. Longer treatment options are likely to attract higher prices.
c). Counselling
Alternatively, you can opt to choose private addiction counselling. Here, you'll pay around £50-£60 per session with the therapist. Seeking counselling alone increases your likelihood of relapse.
d). NHS rehab
NHS rehabilitation is extremely difficult to find, especially if you are looking for residential treatment. This is because the NHS is facing financial constraints that have made it difficult to cover rehab prices.
There are local options; for instance, you may find an outpatient day-rehab that's free or extremely low-priced.
e). Partial hospitalization
A partial hospitalization program lets you stay at a rehabilitation centre for several weeks. During your stay, you'll first complete detox, followed by counselling sessions.
Typically, alcohol rehab cost for partial hospitalization is between $3,500 and $11,000.
f). Non-profit rehab
There is the option of enrolling in a non-profit rehab for addiction treatment. One example of this is the Salvation Army rehabilitation programme that's free for those in need.
Does the NHS cover your rehab cost?
The NHS does pay for the cost of rehab. However, getting the funding for inpatient care is extremely difficult. If you are struggling with chronic substance use, you're better off seeking private treatment.
Other treatment options aside from NHS assure you of faster admission to care.
Seeking NHS funding begins by visiting your GP. They will conduct a medical examination to determine the severity of your addiction.
After that, the GP may advise you to go for medical detox at home or in a hospital setting.
They may give you prescriptions to manage the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and refer you to the nearest support group for group therapy.
Not everyone gets NHS to cover the cost of rehab. You may have to wait for over a year, and that may be risky for your health.
Private rehab is the better approach as most of them will admit you within 24 hours.
The steps you need to take to get NHS rehab are:
- Contact your GP for a medical assessment and discuss treatment options or support groups near you.
- Your GP will add your name on the waiting list.
- If you are extremely lucky, you may get the funding for alcohol or drug addiction treatment.
Every county or local authority has its policies on NHS rehab funding. Some areas don't provide funding at all. In most instances, your GP may refer you to a low-cost rehab option that is suitable for you, depending on your budget.
You can also secure detox and drug or alcohol addiction treatment through your local authority.
How can you pay for rehab?
The cost of rehab should not keep you from pursuing treatment. You can cover the rehab prices through private insurance. Insurance companies such as Bupa private health insurance offer a comprehensive insurance cover [6].
Your friends and family members may be willing to give you the funds you need to cover treatment costs. You can suggest that they send the funds to the addiction centre if they suspect that you'll use the funds for addiction.
If you are not comfortable asking for funds from others, there are other options you can pursue.
You can raise money for treatment at a rehab centre through platforms such as Crowdfunding UK [7].
You can also use your credit card or savings to cover for the cost of rehab. Look for a rehab centre with a flexible payment option and use your credit card or assets to pay for addiction treatment.
Alternatively, you can take out a medical loan. You can approach a bank to loan you the funds or use medical credit funds to get the funds.
Many treatment centres offer financing options to their clients. Some will even guide you on how to get grants or scholarships to pay for part of your treatment.
This financing option may come from the treatment provider, or the rehab centre may be working with a third-party lender to create affordable financing options for their clients.
If you are searching for low-cost rehab options, a great place to start is through the substance abuse mental health services administration (SAMHSA) website.
The national institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism (NIAAA) can help you locate affordable/low-cost treatment options [8].
To conclude
Most people asking the question ' how much does rehab cost?' cannot afford to pay for alcohol rehab cost. Outpatient rehab costs around £1000 per week, and residential rehabilitation cost tens of thousands.
The truth, however, is that the cost of addiction is higher than the cost of treatment.
A long-term drug or alcohol addict may lose thousands of Euros feeding the addiction-not forgetting the cost of addiction to one's health, social life, and professional development.
Realizing that you need help will make it easier to determine the best way to pay for treatment. Trying to quit addiction on your own (cold turkey) is life-threatening and likely to lead to relapse.
If you relapse, the next time you try to quit, withdrawal symptoms will be unbearable.
Rehab is costly because your treatment provider pays for the cost of housing, medication, staff, food, and utilities expense plus so much more. The cost of rehab includes detox.
During this stage, the facility will provide you with 24-hour supervision and support.
After detox, you will go through a comprehensive programme that will provide you with the knowledge and coping skills that you need to maintain sobriety.
Alcohol and drug rehab costs include one-on-one counselling, group therapy, family therapy, and other complementary therapies.
You also get a chance to attend workshops, plus other outdoor activities that will boost your health and wellbeing.
Addiction is a complex problem with no quick fix. Everyone has their unique experience and requires an individualized approach to address each addict's needs.
The rehab doesn't have to be a luxurious one. There's little connection between cost and effectiveness in addiction treatment. You can find a standard rehab facility with quality services.
