The Inpatient vs. Outpatient Cost Comparison
Dealing with the challenges of a drug or alcohol problem for yourself or a family member is a tricky subject. When a person finally realizes that they need help for drug or alcohol addiction, there are many factors to consider as one prepares to seek treatment, not the least of which is how to pay for the treatment. Fear about the costs of intensive outpatient treatment is often so overwhelming that some people delay treatment. It doesn’t help that most recovery centers don’t freely disclose the cost of an intensive outpatient treatment program early on the discussion. There’s a reason for that. Namely, the costs can really only be determined after a proper patient evaluation is done.
While a patient is being pre-screened for acceptance into the program it’s often too early to tell how much treatment is needed and for how long. Most professional addiction treatment centers know this. Understanding the options for inpatient rehab vs. outpatient rehab can make the journey to recovery seem less overwhelming. Naturally, one of the most important pieces in choosing the program that is right for you is to understand how much your treatment will cost. The type of treatment you receive will depend on how involved you need it to be as well as what resources you feel best to fit your needs. This can play a role in the cost of treatment as more in-depth and involved therapies require more time and thus cost more. Knowing the difference between these treatment options will help you understand the costs associated with each.
What Is Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient drug rehab in Orange County simply refers to a treatment program that does not require staying in a facility. Many find it attractive because it allows the patient the ability you to stay in their own home, go to work or school as usual and continue doing the things they do every day. Outpatient rehab requires patients to attend regular therapy, educational and counseling sessions. They will also make regular visits to a treatment center. As you can imagine, there’s a high risk of relapse for those patients who have not gone through detox or for those patients who are new to sobriety. This varies of course, based on many factors.
Typically, intensive outpatient programs come into play after a person has gone through an inpatient program. It helps keep them regimented and on a good routine. In some cases, patients of intensive outpatient programs bolster their care by choosing a sober living home.
What Is Inpatient Rehab?
Inpatient drug rehab is a more intensive form of treatment. Individuals stay inside of a treatment facility for an extended amount of time. This is a more costly option as the treatment center provides the person with room accommodations, 24-hour monitoring, medical attention, food, bedding, supervision, and a daily curriculum. This type of treatment is best suited and most effective for those who may need more focus and around the clock monitoring.
Sober living homes provide a more robust, hands-on approach to recovery and are tailored to create new environments and daily life atmospheres that are conducive to recovery. The family environment coupled with required meetings, vocational assistance, and structured living environment has proven successful in helping the recovery process.
Factors That Affect The Cost Of Rehabilitation
We’ve all seen some of the celebrity rehab facilities made famous from tabloid TV shows. As you can imagine, these places are extremely pricey. For most people, this isn’t a viable option. The reality is that facilities vary wildly from their approach and their amenities. With the ultimate goal being recovery, it’s best to focus on a distraction-free environment. That being said, here are some of the factors that will influence the costs:
- If detoxification is necessary as this is an added expense.
- For outpatient rehab treatment, it depends on how many meetings per week you’ll be attending, the level of counseling needed, and the hours per week that you’ll be visiting the center.
- For inpatient rehab treatment, the length of stay, the type of accommodations and the amenities, will greatly affect cost.
- Geographical location plays a role is the cost of treatment.
How Much Does Rehab Cost?
A recent study looked at the cost of intensive outpatient treatment to determine regional price variations. When the study was completed, each of the major forms of addiction recovery had been examined. The results showed the average price range from around the United States. These ranges for how much rehab costs are broken down by inpatient vs. outpatient:
Inpatient Care Options
- Basic low-cost, 30-day residential rehab – $2,000 – $7,000
- Standard 30-day residential inpatient treatment- $10,000 – $20,000
- Premium/luxury 30-day residential inpatient care – $25,000 and up
Types of Outpatient Care
- Addiction therapy and counseling – Free – $1,000
- Intensive outpatient care – $3,000 – $10,000
- Detox treatment costs anywhere from $300-$800 a day
How To Pay For Treatment?
Insurance Coverage – Most insurance policies will pay for all or a portion of rehab costs. A deductible likely may need to be paid and thereafter coverage varies.
Payment Plans & Financing – Most treatment facilities will offer payment plans to pay your bill monthly or weekly at a slower pace. Interest may or may not be added on.
Sliding Scale – It is possible to find a treatment center that will work off of a sliding scale based on monthly income and offer financial aid to lower-income levels.
Free of Charge – Local health departments and social services do offer free or subsidized options, but these can be harder to find and beds are often booked for months or years.
Cost Of Addiction
The cost of seeking treatment for addiction can appear to be expensive. When you consider the cost associated with staying on a bad path, it’s a small price to pay for your health, freedom and a better quality of life. Addiction can lead to medical conditions, criminal problems such as arrests and even death. Not to mention the cost of keeping up a habit over time, which can range from anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000/year. This can far outweigh the cost of treatment. Substance abuse treatment is available to everyone and is more attainable and affordable than most understand. If you or someone you love is facing an addiction problem, reach out today to learn more about programs that can turn a life around.
Get Treatment Today
Don’t let the costs of an intensive outpatient treatment program deter you from getting treatment. At Renaissance Recovery, we offer a variety of addiction treatment options, including:
- Experiential treatment
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Art therapy
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Nutrition education
To learn more about the costs of an intensive outpatient treatment program, call 866.330.9449 today.