How Much is Rehab?
How Much Does Rehab Cost?
The cost of rehab can vary widely depending on your personal circumstances and the type of treatment you receive. That said, insurance often covers even the highest levels of addiction treatment care, depending on your facility and policy.
Treatment options range in intensity—from 24-hour medical care to part-time outpatient programs. Generally, the more intensive the services or levels of care, the higher the cost. This is because highly intensive options involve a significant number of treatment and rehab services as well as 24-hour care from medical professionals and addiction specialists.
Treatment Options and Estimated Costs
From most intensive to least intensive, some substance use treatment options and the associated costs are as follows:1
Drug Detox Programs
Detoxification, also known as withdrawal management or medical withdrawal, refers to the process of safely eliminating drugs and alcohol from the body.1 Detox is generally the first step in drug and alcohol treatment, often requiring medical supervision.
Medical supervision and interventions are typically provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and if clinically appropriate, may involve the administration of medication prescribed by a doctor. Most inpatient addiction treatment programs include detox in the total cost of the program.
Outpatient detox ranges in price depending on the substance and withdrawal symptoms. When side effects require more monitoring and supervision, the price may increase.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs
Inpatient addiction treatment is an intensive, residential level of care often following medical detox—though it can serve as the entry point for those who don’t require immediate withdrawal management. Patients reside full-time at the treatment center, ensuring they have 24/7 access to medical supervision, therapeutic support, and a highly structured, sober environment.
The length of stay in inpatient programs can vary from a few weeks to 30 days, to several months and even up to a year. This will impact the cost of inpatient treatment as well as the types of services you receive.
Inpatient care is the most expensive, being the most intensive level of treatment. Factors like the facility’s location, available services and amenities, and your length of stay will all impact the overall rehab cost.
Outpatient Rehab
In outpatient rehab, you go home every night and it is the least intensive type of substance use treatment. Therefore, it usually costs less than medical detox and inpatient rehab.1
Treatment may include individual therapy, group therapy, and support groups designed to support your life in recovery and build on the skills learned during inpatient care.
There are varying levels of outpatient treatment, depending on your needs:
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs): Also known as “day treatment,” PHPs provide high-intensity support for people with complex medical or psychiatric needs who don’t require 24/7 supervision. These programs offer 20+ hours of treatment per week, delivered by a multidisciplinary team that includes both medical and clinical staff.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): IOPs deliver many of the same therapeutic interventions as inpatient care but with fewer hours and less medical supervision than PHPs. They are ideal for individuals who need structured care but also want to maintain some daily responsibilities like work or school.
Standard Outpatient Programs (OPs): OPs are the least intensive option, providing under 9 hours of care per week. These programs focus on behavioural change through individual or group therapy and offer minimal or no medical services.
The cost of outpatient treatment will vary and is typically determined by the program’s specific level of intensity, the geographic location of the provider, and the scope of services included in the personalized treatment plan.
Medication
Medication may be used as part of the treatment plan for addiction treatment. It involves using FDA-approved prescription medications to manage cravings and reduce the risk of relapse.1 Medications may also be prescribed for individuals with co-occurring conditions.
For individuals who misuse opioids, for instance, a physician might prescribe methadone, buprenorphine/Suboxone, and naltrexone to help reduce their drug use.1 Those with alcohol use disorder may get acamprosate, disulfiram, or naltrexone.1Not everyone who receives treatment for drug or alcohol use requires medication.The cost of medication will vary depending on the drug.
What Impacts the Cost of Rehab?
Rehab prices are determined by several factors that are based on your specific needs, your insurance provider, and your chosen treatment facility. More specifically, the cost of rehab is often defined by some of the following factors:3
- Length of stay and range of services provided. A longer stay at a rehab center costs more.
- The intensity of services rendered. Some individuals need detox when they enter rehab; others do not. Generally, the more medical care, the higher the cost.
- Location of the treatment facility. As noted above, there is a big divide in the cost of inpatient care versus outpatient care. That’s because inpatient care includes housing and 24-hour care.
- Specific patient characteristics (i.e., pregnancy, significant medical issues, or mental health problems). Individuals needing special accommodations or care pay more.
- Cost of resources. In states where resources cost more, rehab will cost more, too.
- Amenities. The cost of rehab is also determined by the amenities offered by the specific addiction treatment facility. Every rehab service and amenity can come with a cost. These amenities may include chef-prepared meals, fitness centers, pools, acupuncture, massage, and more.
- Whether the facility is in-network. If your rehab center is in-network, this generally results in lower out-of-pocket costs.
The Cost of Drug Addiction Compared to the Cost of Rehab
Substance misuse and addiction can have devastating consequences on all aspects of your life. The cost of drug use can be significant and irreversible, and can include:4
- Difficulty fulfilling personal responsibilities that can lead to consequences such as job loss.
- Addiction often leads to workplace problems, which can lead to days off and lost wages.
- Conflict in important relationships with family members and friends.
- While it may not be able to be measured in dollars and cents, addiction can cost some individuals their relationships with their family and friends.
- Physical dependence and withdrawal.
- Addiction can be expensive. Use the cost-of-addiction calculator below to estimate how much you’re spending on drugs or alcohol.
- Risky behaviors and impaired judgment.
- Addiction can lead to potential legal fees and fines. For instance, someone who gets a DUI may have to pay several fines and/or court fees.
- Changes in the brain and other health problems.
- Health problems come with medical bills, which add up quickly.
How Much is Rehab with Insurance?
Fortunately, most insurance companies will cover some form of addiction treatment, so the price of rehab shouldn’t deter you from seeking treatment.
Specific out-of-pocket rehab costs depend on your insurance provider and your selected policy. If you’d like to know whether your insurance may cover the full or partial cost of rehabilitation at one of American Addiction Centers’ various rehab centers across the states, give us a call at (866) 315-9123 to learn more about your treatment options. Or you can start online by filling out the form below.
Is Rehab Worth It?
Yes—while rehabilitation costs can be high, the long-term benefits make rehab well worth it. Addiction treatment can reduce or eliminate substance use, which in turn may lead to better health, stronger relationships, improved work performance, and fewer accidents or legal issues.
The cost of struggling with addiction is nearly always much higher than the price of getting help. While rehab is an investment, studies consistently show that the money spent dealing with untreated substance use—like paying for emergency care, legal fees, or lost work—is far greater than the cost of treatment. More importantly, getting help saves you from the huge toll addiction takes on your health, happiness, and lifespan.
With so many options available, it is possible for you to find a program for you or your loved one that is affordable and life-changing.
Get In Touch with American Addiction Centers
If you believe you or someone you love may be struggling with addiction, let us hear your story and help you determine a path to treatment.
There are a variety of confidential, free, and no obligation ways to get in contact with us to learn more about your treatment options and rehab costs.
- Call us at
- Verify Your Insurance Coverage for Treatment Your insurance may cover your rehab program costs.
- Learn more about the cost of treatment with our cost of addiction treatment calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
