Saving Money on Rehab and Recovery: What Are Your Options?

Understanding UK Rehab Costs and the Treatment Options Available

Addiction can often be a complex and challenging disorder to overcome, and it can never truly be ‘cured’. But, through committed, specialised, and focused treatment, all individuals can make progress toward a craving- and trigger-free future.

During drug and alcohol rehabilitation, individuals are guided through the creation and development of coping mechanisms that can help them deal with the effects of their addiction in their daily lives.

However, only by having a strong mental attitude and commitment to recovery can any individual make meaningful and effective progress.

This is why it is essential that all individuals are aware of their rehab options, their care needs, and how they can manage these life changes financially.

Why is undergoing rehabilitation important?

Without suitable drug rehabilitation, individuals are unlikely to make any progress toward a sober future, and they are more likely to be affected by the long-term and serious consequences that can arise as a result of substance abuse/misuse.

Though addictions can also be toward behaviours as well as substances (e.g., shopping, gambling, internet etc.), this article will focus mainly on drug addictions, where they can be treated, and the best options financially for individuals with different requirements and/or care needs.

Many studies highlight the importance of perceptions of addiction, relationships as a result of addiction, and the family or community support that these individuals have (1), but it is vital to remember that every individual case is different and that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to care.

The dangers of substance abuse and misuse

As mentioned previously across this article thus far, an untreated or ignored addiction is often one that can cause serious impacts to an individual, their lifestyle, and their general health.

This is why medical professionals and addiction referral services will offer some form of alcoholism rehabilitation due to the vicious cycle that addiction can create.

As well as the impacts to an individual directly, an addiction can also affect those around the individual, including close friends and family who may be trying to offer support.

However, for the individual, the impacts can be far more direct.

The following subheadings outline some of the impacts that addiction can have on an individual’s physical and mental health, but these are also likely to differ depending on the substance, the individual’s history of addiction, and any pre-existing medical conditions.

1. Physical health issues

In general, substances that individuals can develop an addiction to are often categorised as either physically dependent or non-physically dependent.

This refers to the qualities of the substance that make the body dependent on it, or whether it can be cut out quickly and relatively easily.

Alcohol and heroin, for example, are physically addictive substances, meaning that they become directly involved in the body’s regular functioning and therefore make withdrawal a far more complex procedure.

On the other hand, cannabis and cocaine are not considered to be physically addictive, meaning that they are often easier to withdraw from and do not become so integrated within the body’s functioning. This, however, depends again on the specific case and should in no case be generalised into black and white.

2. Mental health issues

In addition, the mental health effects of addiction can be equally complex. Every individual will have different experiences of addiction, including how their mental health may be impacted.

In fact, addiction often co-occurs with other mental health issues (being categorised as a mental health issue in itself) and often requires a dual diagnosis approach to recovery.

This means that all mental health issues are identified and treated during rehabilitation, making a fuller and more effective recovery process.

Commonly co-occurring mental health issues include, but are not limited to:

• Anxiety (including generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), but also including other forms of anxiety)

• Depression

• Bipolar disorder

• Schizophrenia
  

The vicious cycle of substance abuse

As mentioned previously, addiction and substance abuse in general can often create a vicious cycle in which the following occur:

• The individual becomes dependent on a substance (sometimes multiple) as a result of different factors and influences within their everyday life.
  

• The individual’s tolerance builds, meaning they consume more of the substance to achieve the same effects.
  

• The individual attempts to rehabilitate, either on their own, as a result of a specific event, or under the advice of others.
  

• The individual does not rehabilitate effectively, often leading to a relapse, reduced belief in their ability to recover, and many other related issues.
  

• The individual continues their substance abuse/misuse as before or to a more serious degree.
  

How much does rehab cost?

Depending on an individual's requirements of care, the effects of addiction that they have experienced, and many other personal and situational factors, the type of rehab (and therefore the cost) will massively vary from individual to individual.

In general, there are two main ‘types’ of rehabilitation, referring to where and when an individual participates in different rehabilitative treatments, each with differing levels of suitability and effectiveness for different individuals.

The following two subheadings outline the two forms of rehabilitation, including general costs, who they are suitable for, and how an individual may participate in these types of care.

1. Inpatient rehab options

Inpatient rehabilitation, also known as residential rehabilitation, is a form of care in which an individual resides in a dedicated centre while undergoing the bulk of their rehabilitative treatments.

There are thousands of different rehabilitation centres across the UK, and each one will come with its own costs, facilities, and suitability for each individual case.

In general, this is the most commonly recommended form of care for individuals requiring rehabilitation, as it often includes 24/7 care, with specialised access to modern, innovative, and tailored treatments for each specific case of addiction.

Individuals struggling with a long-term addiction, an addiction to a physically addictive substance, or severe and life-threatening health problems should always consider inpatient rehabilitation, as it gives individuals the best chance to make a full and effective recovery.

Depending on the centre, whether an individual opts for a private or shared room, and the treatments they receive during their time in care, the cost of this type of rehabilitation can range from £1,500 to £12,000+ for a recommended 28-day stay.

2. Outpatient rehab options

For individuals who struggle less with the impacts of addiction, are not addicted to a physically addictive substance, and for those for whom residential rehab is not suitable, outpatient options are available.

In general, many of the same treatments available in residential rehab are also available for those outside of these centres.

However, in general, these services cannot be accessed 24/7, occur far less regularly, and the individuals participating are often left to do so at their own devices, meaning that adherence to these programmes is not as closely monitored.

Costs for these individual outpatient services can be found through local health services information and directly through addiction referral services in the individual’s local area.

Alternative options for rehab and recovery

Aside from inpatient and outpatient care, there are not many other beneficial forms of treatment for cases of drug addiction.

In some cases, individuals may be able to access rehabilitation and drug support through the National Health Service (NHS), but these types of service often come with a lengthy waiting list, lack of specialisation and tailor-made rehab programmes, as well as generally occurring less frequently than is beneficial.

Speak to a medical professional or addiction referral service to find out what your options are today, as well as learning about the payment plans that many of these service providers offer.

References for this article

[1] Adejoh, S.O., Temilola, O.M. and Adejuwon, F.F., 2018. Rehabilitation of drug abusers: the roles of perceptions, relationships and family supports. Social work in public health, 33(5), pp.289-298.