If you happen to have a drug addiction, and you want your old drug-free life back, you may have heard of drug detox. It is a process that aims to eliminate all traces of drugs from your body. With that, the effects on you will also wear out.
Drug detox is often administered by medical professionals. Also, they consistently monitor your progress through the whole process. That level of care has a cost to it.
So, the big question is, “Is drug detox expensive?”
How much does drug detox usually cost?
It depends on a number of factors, like the length of treatment, location of the treatment facility, the kind of addiction you have, how severe it is, as well as insurance coverage. The price also depends on whether you enroll in an outpatient or an inpatient detox program. Outpatient detox works well for most people, but for more severe cases, inpatient programs are more successful.
Some drug detoxes also prescribe medications to patients. This is another factor that will drive the cost up.
If you’re curious about the actual price tag, here are some figures. On average, medically supervised outpatient detox costs about $100 per day, while inpatient ones are $400 a day. When medications are needed, the cost goes up to around $1,300 a day.
Private detox programs charge even higher. They can run up to $1,000 per day excluding medications.
Does insurance cover drug detox?
It depends on your insurance provider. Most of them cover part of the cost of detox, especially if medications are prescribed. That means you don’t have to shell out a huge amount by yourself. But first, check with your insurer to know how much they will cover.
If you are struggling financially, you can take advantage of Medicaid, which may cover the entire cost of drug detox. You can also find low-cost or free detox programs offered by local governments and charities. They may also offer you additional financial assistance.
It’s also a good idea to check with the rehab center if they accept the terms of your insurance. Not all centers will, but most accept insurance. Talk to the case manager of your preferred rehab center or a social worker to find out.
Why do I need to go through drug detox?
If you’re suffering from a substance addiction, drug molecules stay in your body and continue to influence your behavior. If you want to live a sober life, the first step is removing these drugs from your body. That is what drug detox does.
Actually, detox is often the first step in many drug rehab programs. The idea is to resolve the physical manifestations of addiction first before the psychological effects. Afterwards, the psychological effects can be dealt with more effectively.
A key part of detox is it helps you manage withdrawal. When you decide to quit using drugs, your body will begin to look for more of it, leading to withdrawal symptoms. These are usually uncomfortable, and they will give you an urge to take drugs again. During detox, though, medical professionals will help you manage these symptoms. In turn, the process of flushing out the drugs from your body will be as safe and comfortable as possible.
What if I don’t have insurance?
There are other payment options to consider. If you don’t have insurance, or your insurance provider does not cover drug detox, other ways you can pay for detox are:
- Installments and payment plans
- State financing
- Charity programs (which are free)
It may be really tempting to go with the free options, but take note that getting into them is not easy. For one, they usually have long waiting lists, so it can take weeks or months before they accommodate you. Also, their equipment and personnel are limited, so you might not receive the best kind of care for your needs. Only consider free detox programs if you really have no other choice.
Before you enroll in a detox program, find out which financing options are available to you. That way, you won’t be in financial shock when the procedure is under way. In turn, you would be less stressed during the detox process, which helps in your road to recovery.
What’s the difference between inpatient and outpatient drug detox?
Financially speaking, inpatient detox is much more costly than its outpatient counterpart. Here’s why.
Inpatient detox confines you to a treatment facility for the entire process. This may take anywhere from 5 to 14 days. With that, there are extra costs to staying in the facility, like food, housing, laundry services, medications, and 24/7 care. All these aspects are included in what you pay for. You may also have to stay for longer if you have co-occurring conditions. That’s why inpatient detox is more expensive.
On the other hand, outpatient detox allows you to go home after each round of treatment. You would go to the facility yourself each day, and you can set the schedule. On average, outpatient treatment lasts for 6 to 7 days. It’s cheaper because you don’t have to pay for food, lodging, or other extra services. But you do have to spend on transportation, and there is a cost to taking time off work for a few days.
While outpatient detox is the more affordable choice, it isn’t appropriate for everyone. For example, if you have severe, life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, you will receive the best level of care in an inpatient detox program. There, medical teams are always standing by to assist you in case of any emergencies. You can call for help at any time, and medical workers will be right there with you.
But if your symptoms are less severe and your addiction is milder, an outpatient drug detox program can work for you. Just make sure to complete the treatment process, never skipping a day.
To find out the best treatment option for your case, consult a doctor or mental health professional first. They will figure out the best plan of care for you.
