What are Alternatives to Residential Drug Treatment Programs When you Can’t Afford Ongoing Inpatient Treatment?

Not everyone can afford to attend a residential rehab program for even 30 days, let alone 90 days or more. Sometimes, the reason is purely financial. Rehabs are expensive and not adequately covered by all insurance plans, if at all. Yes, health insurance companies are typically required by law to provide some sort of drug treatment for its insureds, but the exact nature of this benefit is determined by the insurance company, not you. No insurance company is legally obligated to pay for residential drug treatment. Many do, but they don’t have to. Others may cover it to a certain extent, but it’s just not enough to put it within the range of affordability.

Family obligations are another common reason for being unable to attend a residential facility. This is especially true for women, who are usually the primary caregivers for any small children. Who would care for the child in your extended absence? The child’s father is the obvious choice, but if he has to work to support the household and the child, then he can’t care for the child, either. All-day childcare or a nanny are also out of the price range of many families. Just what are alternatives to residential drug treatment programs when you can’t afford ongoing inpatient treatment?

Don’t Blame Yourself

The fact that you can’t afford residential drug treatment isn’t really your fault. You may not even need it. While it’s true that just about all substance abusers would benefit from inpatient treatment, it’s not necessary in all situations. Here are some basic guidelines to follow when trying to determine if residential treatment is truly necessary or not:

  • Major mental illness
  • Suicidal actions or ideations
  • Serious medical problems related to the substance abuse
  • Arrests for or a history of endangering others while under the influence
  • Repeated past relapses in spite of previous inpatient or outpatient treatment

If these circumstances don’t apply to you, you might want to consider alternatives, such as outpatient treatment or IOP, which is Intensive Outpatient Treatment. Either can be attended alone or in combination with a sober living home. Sober living is far more affordable than residential drug treatment and may allow someone to keep a part-time job. Some of them even accept women and their children. You will have to select a drug treatment option that fits your particular situation, but you can be sure of one thing: Any treatment is still better than none at all.

The Combination of Sober Living and Outpatient Drug Treatment

This model would still require you to be absent from your residence for a period of time, probably at least 90 days. However, you would be free to have contact with family members. Under this plan, you would attend an outpatient program and then return to the sober living home instead of your own residence. A sober living home is a place, often in a regular home, where you live with other people who are trying to stay sober just like you are. It’s a highly supportive environment free of drugs or alcohol. You may have your own living space, but more than likely you will share a room with one or more members of your sex. Some sober living places are just for women. Others may be co-ed with segregated living quarters.

Sober living facilities usually charge some type of rent, but this can vary widely and can be quite affordable. You will be allowed to leave at any time as long as you return by the curfew. You can attend outpatient drug treatment and even work if you have time. Returning to the sober living home instead of your own home eliminates exposure to drugs and alcohol, reinforces what you learned in your outpatient treatment on a daily basis and provides constant emotional support.

Intensive Inpatient Programs

These are non-residential programs offering a good alternative for those people with a solid support system from their family and friends. These programs involve far more commitment in terms of time and effort than traditional outpatient programs do. It’s not unusual for an IOP to require eight-hour attendance five days a week. They typically last about 90 days.

For More Information

If you’re ready to seek help, we are ready to assist you. Just call our professional group of drug treatment counselors at 844-639-8371 anytime. We offer 24-hour service to answer your questions, evaluate your needs and help to place you in a facility as an alternative to residential drug treatment.

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