Rehab facilities are arguably the most effective addiction treatment for those suffering from substance abuse issues, and with good reason: the level of support provided in your typical private rehab facility is exceptional. Inpatient rehab, in particular, offers increased effectiveness in maintaining sobriety, a safe and supportive environment, and a variety of services at residential facilities.
Of course, as effective as private drug addiction treatment is, it doesn’t come cheap. So, how much does rehab cost? Is it possible to get free treatment? In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
Addiction Rehab Costs
How much does drug rehab cost (UK)? While the cost of rehab varies between treatment centres, we can share a few national averages to help give you a rough idea as to what to expect.
Residential rehab starts at around £3,500 per week. For a typical 28-day programme, this comes to approximately £12,000 for a 4-week recovery. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, luxury rehab facilities can charge significantly higher rates, sometimes exceeding £10,000 per week. Outpatient rehab, on the other hand, is a more affordable and flexible option, allowing individuals to continue living at home while attending therapy sessions.
Again, prices do fluctuate with some private rehab centres charging up to £10,000 per week.
Cost of Drug Detox Programme
For those suffering from drug and alcohol addictions, one of the crucial steps in recovery is detoxification, which can take place in specialized detox centres. This is where the body is thoroughly cleansed of all harmful substances to begin specialist treatment.
Unfortunately, as the body has come to rely heavily on the substances, there are a wide variety of painful and dangerous withdrawal symptoms that go with it. This is why medically assisted detox is always recommended to those who have severe addiction and dependency.
Detox treatment involves weaning your body off drugs and alcohol for a long-term recovery. This is the critical first step in a rehab facility and begins when you are admitted into a rehab clinic.
Once you enter through the doors to your rehab clinic, you are cut off from all access to drugs and alcohol. This will give your body the opportunity to cleanse itself – typically lasting around 2-weeks.
In most cases, medical professionals will provide various medications to help relieve the symptoms of withdrawal, making the process as safe and as comfortable as possible.
For those whose addiction is not severe enough to justify residential rehab, there are private home detox options which cost approximately £1,850.
If, on the other hand, residential rehab is recommended, the detox will be a part of your rehab programme and thus absorbed into the overall rehab costs cost of your residential treatment.
Can you get Free Rehab in the UK?
So, is it possible to get free rehab treatment in the UK? The short answer is yes, but that doesn’t make it easy to do. Government-funded rehab options are available, but they come with several challenges. Here are some of the drawbacks with seeking free addiction treatment in the UK…
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You will likely be put on a waiting list: in an ideal world, rehab would be free for everyone suffering from drug addiction. However, as rehab uses so many resources, takes a long time, and there are so many people suffering from addiction in the UK, there is a long waiting list involved for those wanting to get onto a treatment programme. The real drawback with this is that when you have to wait so long, it is easy to lose the motivation that pushed you to seek help in the first place. This often results in people losing their chance at a successful recovery.
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The level of comfort is lower than in private rehab: one of the keys to a successful recovery is feeling comfortable in your rehab clinic environment. Unfortunately, NHS-funded rehab facilities have been subject to cutbacks in recent years, meaning the standard of service and comfort is significantly inferior to private rehab.
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You will likely spend less time with dedicated therapists: another essential aspect of making a full recovery from addiction is by getting to the root cause of your addiction and exploring the underlying mental health problems that may have led to your troubles in the first place. When pursuing free rehab, the likelihood that you will receive enough quality time, one-on-one with a therapist is low. This will make it all the more difficult for you to truly understand your addiction and thus be able to successfully overcome it.
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Free rehab facilities have fewer resources: private rehab facilities can afford to provide you with all of the tools and luxuries necessary to help you on the road to recovery. While the NHS rehab clinics can certainly provide plenty of resources, they are stretched thin between their multitude of clients, thus diluting the level of care that you will receive. For the best treatment programme, private is highly recommended.
Can you get Drug Rehab on the NHS?
We understand that many people simply cannot afford the luxury of private rehab in the UK. In that case, seeking NHS-funded rehab is a viable option.
If you cannot afford the addiction rehab costs for a typical private treatment centre, in order to begin the process of receiving free treatment, you need to begin by speaking with your doctor. Tell them all about your struggles with drugs and/or alcohol, and they can then refer you to a relevant community service group. Again, this will save you a lot of money, but there are many drawbacks to be aware of.
Individuals are rarely able to have their rehab treatment covered by the government. It’s not impossible, but the hoops that you will have to jump through are vast in number.
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You will need to go through your GP.
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you may be offered prescription medication to help cope with the withdrawal symptoms.
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regularly attend free counselling and group therapy (for 6-weeks or more).
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you will be required to prove that none of these options are working for you.
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only in this case may your drug and alcohol addiction treatment be covered.
For some people, the free counselling and support, coupled with prescribed medicine to go through withdrawal, might be enough – particularly if they were able to recognise their addiction early enough and seek the proper help. As for those whose addiction is severe and have built up a substance dependency over several years, this is simply not enough.
For more information regarding pursuing free drug and alcohol addiction rehab through the NHS, simply follow the link.
Can you get Funding for Rehab in the UK?
Now that we have answered the question, ‘ How much does rehab cost?’ Is it possible to secure rehab funding to be admitted to a treatment centre?
In recent years, securing funding for rehab has become increasingly difficult. This is mainly due to funding cuts, changes in strategy, and an overwhelming outcry for support. That said, depending on where you are located in the UK, it might still be possible to access rehab funding from the NHS.
Each county and local authority has its policies regarding NHS rehab funding; unfortunately, some areas do not offer rehab funding at all. That said, if you are fortunate enough to live in area whose policy-makers are prepared to offer support, securing funding is indeed in the realm of possibility.
Why is Rehab so Expensive?
Why are rehab costs so high for private addiction treatment? Can a rehab centre really justify charging so much money?
Again, the dream would be for rehab to be free and accessible to all those who need it. Unfortunately, that is not the case. But, there is good reason for private rehab treatment being so expensive. Here’s what you need to know about private rehab clinics charging what they do:
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all of the food will be provided (3 square meals a day).
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the salaries of therapists, medical staff, chefs, and mental health specialists/addiction counsellors is included.
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you will receive round-the-clock care and support.
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all of the utility expenses are included (water, gas, electricity, etc).
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rental fees are included.
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insurance is included.
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the cost of governmental compliance as well.
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all medication fees are thrown in – including therapy sessions.
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relevant transportation and outside activities (when applicable).
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property maintenance and general upkeep.
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all necessary equipment and materials included (e.g., for art therapy classes and other therapeutic activities).
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you will be put up in quality accommodation for 28-days (or more).
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some of the best private clinics offer luxurious rehab facilities.
Think of attending rehab like staying in a private hotel with a few other guests. You have access to medical facilities and care, built-in, with round-the-clock assistance from attentive staff. This is why rehab is so expensive: the costs involved with running a rehab facility and delivering an exceptional level of care is high.
Will Private Health Insurance cover the cost for Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centres?
Is it possible to have your rehab prices covered by insurance coverage? The answer is yes, however, there are of course certain limitations to be aware of.
For example: if you were hoping to take private health insurance out after the fact, and then successfully secure funding for your rehab treatment, you will have difficulty; most health insurance companies will require that you go through a medical check-up before the policy is accepted.
If you are suffering with a severe addiction, many of the tell-tale symptoms will likely be picked up, making it even harder for you to secure the cover necessary to pay for your treatment.
The Takeaways
To recap:
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the average cost for private rehab options is about £3,000 – £3,500 per week.
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it is possible to get free rehab, though very difficult.
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private rehab grants you instant access to quality care.
We understand the temptation to save your money and pursue free rehab, however, we cannot stress enough how difficult it is to secure the funding you need to receive high-quality treatment.
If you have an addiction problem and desperately want to get better, rather than having to wait months for the possibility of free rehab, we urge you to consider professional treatment in a private clinic; speak with friends and family members and see if anyone is in a position to help.
Want to know more? We invite you to use our free callback service for immediate confidential help.
