With the incredible amount of substance addiction and abuse across the United States, many people wonder why more addicts don’t seek help. A lot of the public doesn’t understand why addicts continue along the path to ruin, rather than utilizing professional recovery services.
One of the main reasons for those with addictions not going into rehab is that they can be extremely expensive. Rehabilitation, and in particular, inpatient rehabilitation programs, cost a lot of money. Spending extended periods in a medical facility staffed with addiction specialists and medical professionals is simply unaffordable for many.
However, it’s important to know that it is possible to receive financial help if you can’t afford rehabilitation costs. Here are some options.
Insurance
Due to The Affordable Care Act, increasing numbers of US residents are now able to afford health insurance. Before this, health care or drug rehab was not an option for a lot of Americans.
Certain health insurance policies can cover rehabilitation services, at least partially. If you are on the path to sobriety and can’t afford a rehab program, consider purchasing medical insurance to help start the process.
State-Funded Rehabilitation Facilities
As mentioned, only certain insurance policies will cover rehabilitation costs, and most will only pay for a limited amount. If you don’t have insurance, your insurance doesn’t cover rehabilitation, or you can’t afford the extra costs, you should consider state-funded facilities.
Through federal funding, states may establish treatment centers to help tackle the drug crisis in the region. State-funded facilities are free of charge. However, there are often specific requirements for entry, including:
- Proof of state residency
- Proof that you cannot pay for the treatment
- Proof of US citizenship
Unfortunately, the majority of state-funded centers are already full. There are long waiting lists for those in need of treatment.
Locally Funded Rehabilitation Facilities
Those who have severe or life-threatening addiction issues but are on the waiting list for a state-funded rehab facility can try to get funded by local organizations.
Non-profit organizations, churches, and other groups within a community often pool together to help fund substance rehabilitation for other members of the community. The money is usually gathered through grants and donations. However, these facilities are often full, and you may have a waiting period before admittance. This is due to their reliance on financial contributions from the public.
Grants and Scholarships for Substance Abuse
If insurance, state-funded facilities, and locally-funded rehabilitation facilities don’t come through for you, explore the possibility of obtaining funding through grants or scholarship programs. These can vary between providers but often cover partial or full costs of the rehabilitation services.
A lot of rehab centers give opportunities to obtain access to their services or provide financially through grants or scholarships. Depending on the circumstances you may be eligible for one of these.
Reach out to various facilities and find out which ones offer grants, scholarships, or financial assistance. Inquire about the requirements that qualify you and determine if you are eligible.
Veteran’s Association
The US Veteran’s Association is a great source of support for veterans who are in need. Many veterans suffer from severe addiction due to PTSD and other mental health disorders caused by their war experiences. Over 20% of veteran PTSD sufferers are also battling substance addiction.
The V.A. offers financial cover for rehab services in some circumstances. They also offer drug and alcohol rehabilitation for veterans who cannot afford it.
The services offered by the V.A. include inpatient treatment, short-term and long-term outpatient treatment, detox, and follow-up treatment. The V.A. also gets actively involved in organizing self-help groups and support for veterans experiencing substance withdrawal issues.
Support From Family and Friends
If none of the solutions mentioned above are available to you, don’t be afraid to reach out to family and close friends. People who struggle with addiction are often embarrassed or ashamed of their habits and would never consider seeking help from those who are closest to them.
Addicts fear that their family and friends will disown them and shun their behavior. In most scenarios, this is not the case. People are full of compassion, and there is likely to be someone who wants to help you.
Whether these people will help you get treatment, offer their ear as a friend, or provide financial assistance in paying for rehab, they don’t want to see your life fall apart or end because of substance abuse. If you know someone in a position to help, you must ask for it. Your life might well depend on it.
If you want to recover but, feel like the cost of treatment is the only thing standing in your way, don’t give up. There are alternative ways to get the treatment that you need.
