Addiction is at an all-time high across the nation.
Checking into a drug treatment center is the first step toward long-term recovery. The financial cost of continuing an addiction almost always outweighs the cost of rehab, yet most people worry about the cost of a drug treatment center. If you are considering a stay in a drug treatment center for yourself or a loved one, there are many options. It can feel overwhelming to know where to begin to search for the right place.
There is no need to fret. Both low-cost rehabs and luxury rehabs provide the basics: detoxification, addiction counseling, and life skills training. Many studies have shown that the success rates are comparable.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of both:
Government Funded Rehabs
Cost – Government funded drug rehabilitation facilities provide care for free or on a sliding fee scale, according to what you are able to pay. For those individuals without insurance or the financial means to pay for a private rehab stay, this is an excellent option.
Professionalism – Government funded centers not only employ professionals, but most are also teaching institutions. The positive aspect of teaching facilities is that they are up-to-date on all of the newest interventions and medications. These people are sincerely interested in this field and not simply working for a paycheck. The negative aspect is that many of the health care professionals may not have many years of experience in the field of addiction.
Accountability – Government funded programs will be shut down if they are deemed unsuccessful. They have to remain accountable to keep their funding.
Boarding Facilities – These facilities are often basic, with a lack of amenities. Clients are often expected to help with duties like cooking and cleaning. This helps reduce the cost of keeping the facility up and running. The focus of government funded facilities is emotional and medical assistance for the clients. Many feel that the perks of extracurricular activities take the focus away from the goal of recovery, and may distract the individual from the process of treatment.
Wait list – Because these centers are free, or cost close to nothing, there is often a wait list to get in. The wait time can be a few days to a few months, so be sure to call around to see what is available and when.
Long-term treatment – There is often little funding available for long-term treatment to be put in place once the client is released from the rehab facility. Since going to rehab is only the first step in recovery from addiction, finding an on-going care option is important to prevent relapse. This part of recovery may be left to the individual.
Luxury Rehabs
Individualized treatment – Luxury drug treatment centers provide personalized drug treatment plans. Through physical, diagnostic, and psychological assessments, a plan will be put in place that is tailored for the individual. This can include medications needed, and therapies adjusted to learning style, choice of drug, and duration of substance dependency.
Professionalism – Since they are not government funded, most will make the best effort to hire the most highly qualified staff in order to keep the facility functioning at its best.
Therapy – These centers offer many types of therapy that address the emotional reasons for addiction. Among the different types of therapy offered at luxury rehabs are:
- Cognitive behavior therapy
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- EMDR
- Family therapy (this aims at rebuilding the family structure that has been injured due to addiction)
- Creative therapy (uses the arts, such as music, painting, crafts, and writing as therapeutic tools in the healing process)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (this therapy is mostly used for those who have suffered abuse or trauma)
- Nature therapy (this employs using nature as therapy for regaining health and positivity)
- Exercise therapy (many places will have gyms, yoga classes, and other forms of exercise for rebuilding the body and soul)
Boarding facilities – Most often, the clients will have their own room or only one roommate, making the stay more comfortable and home-like.
Aftercare planning – Health care professionals will collaborate with clients to set up aftercare, providing support after the client leaves the center and ventures back into their life.
Cost – Most insurances will cover some or all of the cost for a luxury rehab, depending on the insurance policy, the length of the stay, and the total cost. Whatever is not covered most often must be paid out of pocket.
Both low-cost and luxury drug treatment centers can provide the care you or your loved one needs to begin the journey of living drug and alcohol free. Making the decision to enter into rehab can be daunting. If possible, do the footwork necessary before making a choice by making phone calls and gathering information. Important things to know are: cost, what insurance is accepted, wait time, rooming options, length of stay, therapies offered, and transitional planning.
