Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol & Drug Addiction Treatment
Many people who struggle with substance use disorders have questions about how addiction treatment works and what going to rehab is actually like. The addict or alcoholic who has never gone to a drug and alcohol treatment center is often afraid and assumes the worst about the conditions at the facility. They may assume that all addiction treatment centers are lockdown facilities that operate like state-run psych wards, or they might think that private luxury rehabs are only for rich people who can afford to pay out of pocket. In this article, we are going to answer some of the most common questions concerning alcohol and drug addiction treatment and dispel some of the myths that make rehab seem like a scary experience.
How much will it cost to go through a rehabilitation program at a treatment center?
The cost of rehab depends on the program and your insurance provider. In some cases, addiction treatment is entirely covered by health insurance. To get a better idea of the out-of-pocket cost of treatment, you can contact your insurance provider or call a treatment center directly to see what your benefits will cover. This process is almost always handled before you arrive at the facility so that you can make an informed decision about the financial impact of your treatment decision.
Does Medicare and Medicaid cover addiction treatment?
Yes, in most cases medicaid and medicare cover addiction treatment. This means that people covered under medicaid or medicare can typically enter programs like detox, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, medication-assisted treatment (like suboxone doctors and methadone clinics), and addiction counseling. However, most private treatment centers that offer the highest level of care do not accept state-funded insurance providers including medicaid or medicare. For state-funded options, you can go to the SAMHSA website and use their treatment locator. Because of the high demand and limited supply of state-funded treatment center beds, there is often a waiting list. For immediately placement, you can always contact a private treatment center to discuss private pay rates and possible payment plan options.
How can I find a good drug and alcohol rehab?
For the most part, what makes a drug and alcohol rehab "good" is that it is a good fit for your individual needs. However, you should always make sure that the rehab you choose is properly accredited. For example, All In Solutions Counseling Center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey is accredited by the state of New Jersey in addition to the Joint Commission. The Joint Commission has strict quality standards, so any facility that has attained accreditation can be trusted to provide outstanding addiction treatment services.
Which type of facility is right for me: private, semi-private or public?
If you have the financial means to attend a private treatment center, you should always go that route. The reason is that you receive more focused care due to lower patient census. Additionally, because private programs are voluntary, the population of patients you will interact with are motivated to recover. This can make a big difference on your experience in rehab. However, if you don't have private insurance and you cannot afford to privately pay for treatment, you should still absolutely apply to get on the waiting list for a public (state-funded) addiction treatment center.
Should I choose an inpatient or outpatient program?
The level of care you choose should be whatever is recommended by professional clinicians. When you call a treatment center, they will typically conduct an assessment with you over the phone that delves into your substance abuse patterns and mental health conditions. These assessments are typically reviewed by professional addiction therapists and doctors. Based on what criteria you meet, these clinicians will recommend you an appropriate level of care. Typically, if you use drugs and alcohol on a daily or near daily basis you would not be eligible to admit directly to an outpatient level of care unless you have managed to maintain a few weeks of sobriety. The outpatient level of care is most often a "step down" for clients who have already completed detox and inpatient rehab.
Does drug and alcohol rehab work?
Yes, tons of research definitively concludes that rehab is effective. That being said, it's worth noting that this question is a little deeper than it looks. First of all, whether or not rehab works depends on your definition of success. If a patient goes to rehab and then stays sober for 15 years before relapsing, was that treatment successful? That is for you to decide. However, scientific evidence supports that rehab is effective in producing long-term sobriety as well as reducing the occurrence and severity of relapse in the patients who do not stay entirely abstinent.
How long does rehab last?
A patients length of stay in an addiction recovery program is dependent on that particular treatment center's protocols and a patients progression while in treatment. In other words, when you choose a treatment center they will give you an estimate on how long it will take you to complete the program, but if you are struggling or need additional time to work on some more complicated issues, your treatment stay can sometimes be extended. Generally, detox lasts between 7 and 14 days, residential treatment can be between 7 and 21 days, and lower levels of care like partial hospitalization programs (PHP) or intensive outpatient programs (IOP) can last several weeks to months.
How do I get into rehab?
The first step to getting into rehab once you have found a treatment center is typically to call them. When you call a drug rehab like All In Solutions Counseling Center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, their admissions team is available 24/7 to provide you with any support or resources you may need to get the best addiction treatment.
If you are trying to get a loved one help, willingness is not a prerequisite. Their admissions counselors have intimate knowledge about addiction and can help you get your loved one to open up about their struggles.
Once the admissions team has an idea of what is going on and who is involved, they will collect your health insurance information. Verification specialists will then handle any pre-authorizations that may be necessary and explain to you what your financial responsibility may be. Then an admissions counselors will complete an assessment of the individual who is looking for help with addiction over the phone. This assessment allows clinicians to make an informed recommendation on a care plan that will meet your needs.
Once you are financially and clinically approved for a drug and alcohol rehab center, they will help you to schedule your admission and work out any potential hurdles like speaking to your employer or family. If you are ready to change your life for the better, call a facility like All In Solutions Counseling Center and start your recovery today.
