How Much Does Rehab Cost?

How much does inpatient rehab cost? What constitutes an affordable inpatient drug rehab program? The cost of addiction treatment—specifically inpatient—varies dramatically. Inpatient rehab will cost more than outpatient rehab, and available substance abuse programs range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per day for a 30-day program. 

Here's our advice...

Rehab Costs: Focus on Results and Outcomes

Here's our advice: instead of just considering the upfront costs and settling on the most affordable inpatient drug rehab program, think about the value and the overall fit.

Because let's face it - if you don't get the results you're looking for, was it a good deal?

If you don't get the outcome you're looking for, was it worth spending $50,000? 

Was it worth spending $20,000?

Was it even worth spending $10?

We would argue that it wasn't. If you don't get the results you're looking for, than spending even $0.10 or anything greater than $0 seems wasteful.

How to Think About the Cost of Rehab

Over the last several years, we’ve had the honor of working with lots of bright, talented people who were truly ready to embrace addiction recovery.

However, far too many of our participants recount receiving poor treatment elsewhere prior to coming to The Clearing. Sadly, it seems that plenty of affordable inpatient drug rehab programs are more focused on filling beds than helping people heal.

Take it from us: Bad addiction treatment can be worse than no treatment at all. 

Why?

Because if you endure an unproductive, negative, or shaming rehab experience, you’re that much less likely to seek help the next time around.

If that’s what has happened to you, don’t worry. If you know what to look for, it is possible to find an effective, affordable inpatient rehab program.

In this post, we’ll outline your options and help you determine which program will give you the best value as well as the best chance to step into recovery..

Instead of settling on affordable inpatient drug rehab programs, keep in mind what matters most: efficacy.

How Much Does Inpatient Rehab Cost?

When it comes to finding affordable inpatient rehab programs, the type of care offered affects the total cost of treatment. Treatment types and rehab costs also differ depending on your addiction substance. Other factors such as medical care or spa-type amenities will also impact the cost of rehab.

Inpatient Rehab Cost Ranges

Inpatient rehab costs range from under $10,000 to over $100,000 for a 30-day program.

For inpatient drug and alcohol rehab, people check in to a facility to focus on sobriety and healing. Housing and meals are included in the program cost.

Some of the key factors affecting treatment program costs include:

• Facilities
• Location
• Treatment type - generally 12-Step vs. Non 12-Step
• Number of people per room
• Quality and quantity of professional counseling
• Amenities
• Number of trained staff
• Size
• Efficacy / success rate
• Availability / demand
• Clinical staff and medical detox operation

Many people use insurance to pay for inpatient rehab. However, the insurance coverage varies by plan and carrier. In our experience, private health insurance tends to cover anywhere from $5000 - $15,000 for a 30-day inpatient rehab.

Most affordable inpatient rehab programs accept insurance and offer financing options. 

Here’s a list of what to expect for private-pay and insurance-based inpatient drug and alcohol rehabs at various price points.

Inpatient Rehab Costs: $5,000 - $20,000/month

• Institutional atmosphere
• Large number of participants
• 12 Steps programs
• Generally less experienced, under-trained staff
• Lower quality residences
  • Generally, you'll stay in a home in a residential neighborhood with 2-4 bedrooms and at least 2 people per room.
  • These setups often have challenges with limiting access to substances and other controls.
• Cafeteria food
• Shared rooms and bathrooms with large numbers of roommates
• Admissions standards tend to be more lax; includes individuals attending to avoid jail time

Inpatient Rehab Costs: $20,000 - $40,000/month

• Greater diversity of programs
  
• Fewer participants
  
• Typically 12-steps, with a few non 12-step options
• Higher-quality accommodations and meals
• Shared rooms with one or more roommates
• Wide variety of participants
• Wide range of program quality

Inpatient Rehab Costs: $45,000 - $65,000/month

• Higher-quality overall experience
• More non 12-step options available
• Better quality rooms and meals
• Private or shared room with one roommate
• Smaller groups
• More individual attention
• More substantive program content

Inpatient Rehab Costs: $65,000 and up / month 

• Hotel-style accommodations
• Vacation-type activities
• Beautiful scenery and surroundings
• Private rooms and baths
• Individualized, custom-tailored programs
• Smaller groups
• Luxury additions such as spa services

12 Steps vs. Non 12-Step Impacts Rehab Cost

Many inpatient rehabs offer or exclusively offer 12 Steps programs as their healing modality. This is meat and content of their program that is designed to treat your addiction.

12 Step rehabs focus more on group work and generally farm out clients to free, local 12-Step meetings. While well-meaning folks usually lead these meetings, they generally do not have a professional background. Therefore, they do not provide the same level of care as individual psychotherapy.

Here's how the process typically works:

• First, you check in to an inpatient rehab.
• Several times per week, you'll be escorted to attend a 12 Steps group meeting. This may be on or off-site.
• People who are in active recovery and have been through the 12 Steps program themselves, often lead these meetings.
• They may or may not have formal counseling training on addiction or emotional health conditions (which go hand-and-hand with addiction).
• Once the meeting has concluded, you return to your inpatient rehab facility.

Non 12 Step rehabs, by comparison, don't "outsource" their addiction treatment program to free 12 Steps groups. They invest in trained therapists and professional staff who are on-site, and spend many more hours working with program participants, in both individual and group counseling sessions.

This is where a lot of the cost difference between 12 Steps and Non 12 Steps occurs. Non 12 Steps invest more in professional resources and addiction treatment program development.

Inpatient Rehab Programs: Cost vs. Value

While your first instinct may be to find the most affordable inpatient drug rehab program, think long-term; how much is it worth to find effective treatment the first time around?

If you need to go through rehab and pay again, is it really a bargain?

Put another way, how much more will you spend in the long run if your first course of treatment isn’t effective?

Yes, be practical and think about rehab costs, but we encourage you to think about it as an investment.

Rehab is an investment in you and your sobriety. Don’t deny yourself the help you really need to get well. Skip the tennis courts and mansions, and spend money on safe, compassionate care.

List of 30 Affordable Inpatient Rehabs

Inpatient treatment costs and pricing are generally not shared online, and it can be challenging to find accurate information.

However, we’ve done the work for you! Here is a list of affordable inpatient rehab programs that cost less than $30,000 / month.

Scroll left to right to see all the information.

Value is What Drives True Rehab Affordability

When considering inpatient rehab programs, it all comes down to the question, “What’s worth paying for?”

While it is true that some luxury inpatient treatment centers can cost upwards of $100k per month, others offer substantive evidence-based addiction treatment at a more accessible price point.

Do you truly believe that this rehab will work for you?

Though you can receive input and counsel from others, ultimately it’s you who will go through the addiction recovery program and do the work. Whether it's an affordable inpatient rehab program or a luxury rehab facility, remember that no one program is the perfect fit for everyone.

Some people only look for the most affordable programs. There's nothing wrong with wanting to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. However, there is a difference on what and when to invest in the program you feel will work best for you to recover.

You wouldn't necessarily go with the cheapest doctor, lawyer, financial adviser, therapist, house or car. Rehab is no different.

Think about your life, your relationships, and what it would mean to you to stop the vicious cycle of addiction.

Questions to Ask When Choosing An Inpatient Addiction Rehab

Consider the following 3 questions when choosing an inpatient drug or alcohol rehab:

1. How much counseling will I receive?

As you investigate affordable inpatient drug rehab programs, you’ll notice that many don’t provide detailed daily schedules. Many won’t tell you exactly how many professional counseling hours you’ll receive.

That’s because some rehab centers provide only the state-mandated minimum levels of therapy … in some cases, less a handful of hours per week. Unbelievably, some states require just one hour per week, or approximately four total hours in 28 days!

By contrast, The Clearing's 28-day residential rehab program includes over 120 hours of uniquely personal counseling.

2. What is the addiction treatment modality (approach)?

This is another essential question to ask. How do rehab centers approach addiction treatment?

At the highest level, addiction treatment modalities can be grouped into two categories: 12 Steps or non 12-Step. Within the non-12 Step category are myriad subcategories and treatment methods.

While 12 Step-based programs are still the prevailing model of addiction treatment, they are not effective for everyone. In fact, published success rates of 12 Step programs can be as low as 5-10%!

The 12 Steps were created a time when addiction science was still in its infancy, and many 12 Step programs don’t integrate the wealth of modern psychological techniques and tools available now.

That said, not all Non 12 Step recovery programs are created equal. You need to look at each program’s treatment modality and support structure to gauge its merit.

We recommend looking for holistic treatment that incorporates evidence-based counseling strategies such as behavioral therapy, Gestalt therapy, and Rational Emotive Therapy (RET).

3. What are the qualifications for staff and participants? 

It’s up to you to pose the questions, to discern the substance from the spin. As you review each rehab, ask …

• Do staff have appropriate professional degrees?
  
• Do they create an atmosphere of acceptance and support, without resorting to shame and guilt tactics?
• What are the admission criteria for the program
• Does the rehab welcome anyone with the means to pay, or do they screen for willingness to do the work?
• What’s the makeup of the group?
• Do people move through the program together (or do they come and go in a disjointed, often disruptive fashion)?

So do the research, but also go with your gut and choose an addiction treatment program that’s right for you.

An Innovative Evidence-Based Addiction Non 12-Step Rehab

The Clearing began in 2013 because its co-founders were frustrated with poor success rates in the addiction treatment industry. They came up with what we believe is the most innovative addiction recovery program in the country by focusing on underlying core issues, dual diagnosis, small cohorts, over 120 hours of individualized counseling, and a safe, respectful, loving environment.

Most of our participants have been through 12 Step programs and residential treatment before … and over 80% of our graduates are living their lives clean and sober one year post graduation.

This strong success rate is no accident; it’s the direct result of a targeted, evidence-based treatment program.

Interested in altering your life? Call us at (425) 275-8600 today to learn about our comprehensive but affordable inpatient drug rehab program.