The Cost of Rehab: Is It Worth It?

Most people don’t anticipate that they or someone they love will develop alcoholism or an addiction, which means that few families also add the cost of rehab to their long-term financial planning. Aside from denial on the part of the addict (read Dealing with Denial), the expense that many people perceive to be associated with drug and alcohol rehab facilities is often one of the biggest barriers to getting treatment for addiction (read Common Excuses for Not Seeking Treatment). Especially in difficult economic times, many families ask the question, “Do the benefits of rehab outweigh the price?”  Discussed below are some points to consider when considering this question.

• Addiction is expensive too. Although some substances are less expensive than others, the cost of the feeding the addiction will add up quickly over months, years, and even decades.  There are numerous hidden costs as well – like increases in your car insurance after the addict causes an accident or gets a DUI, medical bills from a trip to the ER for a potential overdose, legal fees when the addict commits a crime, etc. Addiction is also an expensive social problem. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that drug abuse and addiction costs society about $245.7 billion annually (as of 1992); this includes the expense associated with lost work productivity, law enforcement, health care, and other factors.  If your family’s resources are being compromised anyway, why not put them toward rehab, which offers the hope of a healthy future for both the addict and their family? 

• Addiction can destroy interpersonal relationships. Most family members and friends already know this.  As acquiring more of the addictive substance or behavior (like gambling or sex) becomes the addict’s priority, everything and everyone else begins to suffer.  Addicts can become nasty and manipulative, taking advantage of their loved ones’ feelings of sympathy and guilt (read Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes: Enabling an Addict and Substance Abuse: “Causing” & “Coping with” Domestic Violence). Even addicts who still love their friends and family find themselves missing engagements and breaking promises.

• Addiction increases the risk of numerous problems for the children of addicts.In addition to neglect (in terms of the financial resources that could have been used for the child’s benefit but were, rather, being put toward the addiction), having one or more parent(s) who abuses or is addicted to a substance puts a child at an increased risk for many short- and long-term problems (read The Addict-Parent: What It Means for Child Development and Alcoholism’s Effects on the Family).  In the short-term, these children often develop behavior issues, and do poorly in school and on standardized tests; they may have problems making (and keeping) friends.  When these children become adults, they are more likely to choose a spouse like their parent (read Repeating the Past: Marrying an Alcoholic) and develop similar problems with substance abuse.

• Addiction causes health complications.Depending on the substance that is at the center of the addiction, long-term abuse of prescription drugs, alcohol, or illicit substances can cause serious health problems.  For example, research indicates that there may be a link between prolonged use of marijuana and such medical conditions as schizophrenia and testicular cancer (read Marijuana Abuse: A Path to Schizophrenia?). Meth abuse is associated with malnutrition, tooth decay, seizures, heart attacks, and strokes; Vicodin abuse can lead to hearing loss and liver damage.  For more information on the potential adverse health consequences of specific substances, visit the Drugs page.

• There are numerous options for treatment available to you. Not all recovering addicts need to retreat to a high-priced pay-out-of-pocket drug or alcohol rehab facility in the mountains or on the coast.  There are numerous treatment options available (read Substance Abuse Treatment Options) as well as many ways to pay for rehab (read How to Pay for Rehab), even if you don’t have health insurance.

I agree that rehab is worth the cost.  How can I find a rehab facility in my budget?

Taking the first step toward recovery and finding a rehab facility can be overwhelming because there are so many factors to consider (read What to Ask a Rehab Facility). Importantly, if you have health insurance, you should be aware of recent legislation called the Mental Health Parity Act, which requires insurance providers who cover mental health to treat mental and physical health equally.

eDrugRehab has helped many addicts and their families to find treatment options that are appropriate for their situation and that fit into their budget.  We work with many facilities across the country, so we can help you find the right combination of factors, whether you would like to stay close to home or “get away from it all” (read Local or Out-of-State Rehab?).  We can also help you arrange and implement an intervention if your loved has refused all of your offers for help (read Intervention FAQ and Intervention: Is It Time?). To speak with one of our addiction or intervention specialists today, visit the Contact Us page.