How Much Does Online Rehab Cost in the UK?
For many people struggling with addiction, cost is a major barrier preventing them from seeking treatment. Supporting yourself and your family while in drug rehab is hard enough, but the added cost of treatment makes it more difficult to recover. The lack of awareness surrounding the cost of substance abuse treatment and available options reduces the chances of recovery.
Whether you or a loved one is in need of drug addiction treatment services, here’s a guide on how much you can expect it to cost. We’ll cover everything from the average drug rehab cost and factors that affect prices to the types of treatment and payment options available.
- Different Kinds of Rehab and Their Costs
- What Factors Influence Rehab Costs?
- What You Pay For With Private Rehab in UK
- Payment Options For Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment
- Will My Insurance Plan Cover My Addiction Treatment?
- Average Rehab Cost In The UK
- Alternatives To Private Rehab
- Other Costs To Consider
- How The Rehab Period Affects Cost
- Finding The Right Drug and Alcohol Rehab Facility
- How You Can Manage Rehab Costs
Different Kinds of Rehab and Their Costs
With an inpatient program, you stay at a controlled environment for a specific period of time to address substance use disorders or mental health conditions. During your time there, you receive complete treatment, which comprises medical care, supervision from addiction specialists, and regular therapy. The main goal of an inpatient setting is that you receive round-the-clock support that’s conducive to the recovery process. It’s effective for helping patients regain their sense of independence and stability.
A rule of thumb is that people struggling with severe substance use disorder or co-occurring psychological issues should attend treatment at an inpatient clinic. This is to reduce risk of a relapse and manage dangerous withdrawal symptoms like delirium tremens.
What To Expect in Inpatient Rehabilitation
Before we can go into detail about the cost of drug rehab, it’s important to discuss the different kinds of treatment centers out there. While there may be some similarities in the approach to treatment, programs are often organised differently. Here’s a look at the different kinds of services you’ll encounter when searching for addiction rehab.
Inpatient And Outpatient Programs
For starters, you’ll notice that treatment centers fall into two main categories: inpatient and outpatient rehab. As the name implies, the difference lies in whether or not you’ll be staying at the facility during the course of your drug or alcohol abuse treatment.
Inpatient Treatment
In inpatient rehab programs, you stay at the clinic, where you’re under medical supervision 24 hours a day by a multidisciplinary team. Your activities are monitored to prevent relapses, and you’re given immediate care in the event of dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Experts recommend inpatient care for clients with a history of addiction or if you’ve struggled with severe withdrawal symptoms, which can be fatal without appropriate medical intervention.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment has fewer restrictions than an inpatient program, as you can go back home at the end of the day. This makes it a suitable option if you have other responsibilities or if your addiction isn’t severe. These programs fall under two categories depending on the level of care: intensive outpatient and partial hospitalisation. In each case, outpatient care is generally recommended when transitioning from residential rehab.
Partial hospitalisation programming, also known as PHP, is the most intensive kind of treatment where you focus on stabilising behaviors during early stages of recovery. It means that you’ll go to a clinic for 5 to 6 hours everyday for treatment.
After a few weeks of PHP treatment, you can move to intensive outpatient care. You’ll receive about 3 hours of treatment each day as you gradually return to everyday life. At this stage, treatment sessions include psychoeducation, relapse prevention techniques, and group therapy.
It’s obvious that if you’re paying out of pocket, outpatient services will cost you less than a typical inpatient program. That’s because you don’t need to pay for accommodation, meals, and utilities.
Luxury Rehabs
When it comes to inpatient rehab centers, luxury rehab facilities offer higher quality in terms of level of care. A luxury rehab facility offers specialised programs for high quality addiction treatment that’s adapted to your individual needs.
In fact, programs also include additional therapy for mental health challenges that may be contributing to your drug abuse. In contrast, regular rehab centers take a generalised approach to drug rehabilitation.
You can expect a luxury rehab treatment program to cost much more than an average residential rehab. Features typically include dual diagnosis treatment, holistic therapies, and medically-supervised detox alongside leisure activities, personalised dining options, and private rooms.
NHS-Funded Rehabs
In the UK, NHS-funded rehabs are among the most sought-after treatment options for substance use disorders. But because of funding limitations and current criteria, many people seeking residential treatment programs through the NHS aren’t eligible.
A major advantage of NHS-funded treatment is that it’s free, but depending on its availability, you may have to wait a long time to access it. It’s not uncommon for people with substance use disorders to wait several months before getting a spot at an NHS-funded rehab clinic.
Not to mention, there’s no guarantee that the clinic will be nearby. If there’s a spot available in treatment centre that’s farther away, you’ll need to make the commute. The downside of NHS-funded rehab is that you don’t get the kind of personalised care that comes with private rehab.
Charity Rehabs
Some charities also provide intensive treatment for substance and alcohol use disorder under inpatient and outpatient programs. Charitable organisations offer quality treatment at a reduced cost or for no cost at all.
The downside to this option, like with NHS-funded treatment, is a lack of availability. These organisations rely on funding from donors, so there aren’t as many of them as there are private facilities. And if the charity is experiencing funding challenges, they may have limited space.
You’ll have to undergo a professional evaluation to know if you’re eligible for a residential or outpatient program. It’s possible that they may propose an inpatient detox and outpatient treatment, depending on the severity of your addiction.
What Factors Influence Rehab Costs?
How much alcohol rehab costs can depend on different factors. These costs can cover basic treatment and even specialised services, like ongoing therapy, counselling sessions, and medication. Let’s take a look at some of these factors:
Type of Facility
When asking how much does rehab cost, the first thing you have to consider is the type of facility. Are you going home after therapy sessions or are you staying at the facility, where you’ll be monitored around-the-clock? As mentioned above, outpatient care is typically less expensive. Meanwhile, inpatient rehab, where you live on-site for the treatment period, cost more.
How Long You’re Staying
The cost of drug or alcohol rehab depends on how long you’ll be enrolled at the facility. If you have an extended stay, it’s bound to result in increased expenses – even if it’s an outpatient program. After all, you’ll need continued assistance and attention from therapists and medical staff.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you should cut back on the length of your stay to pay less. An extended stay can prove beneficial for some patients because it allows them to receive comprehensive care. This, in turn, improves their chances of a steady recovery.
Where It’s Located
The next thing you have to consider is where it’s located. Treatment centers in developed, urban areas may have a higher average cost than facilities in under-developed areas. Naturally, you’ll want to attend treatment someplace nearby. So if you live in an urban center, you should be prepared to pay more for a shorter commute time.
Of course, keep in mind that a facility can be based far away from urban areas, but have specialised facilities, which end up increasing the overall cost.
What Treatments They Offer
Treatment costs vary depending on the services and amenities they provide. Basic treatment programs typically include detox services, medication, and counselling.
Meanwhile, facilities with extensive treatment features offer individual and group therapy, as well as recreational activities in addition to a medical detox. Some treatment programs even treat co-occurring mental health conditions that can exacerbate drug or alcohol addiction.
Need For Detox and Medication
Detox programs are offered separately and as part of rehab treatment. An outpatient detox can cost less than if it’s offered as part of an inpatient program. The cost of a medical detox also depends on the kind of addiction you’re receiving treatment for. Some addictions lead to serious side effects during a detox, so patients need to be monitored carefully, which increases the cost of detox programs.
Similarly, the kind of medication needed for your treatment influences how much you end up paying for rehab. Some patients don’t need to take medication for their addiction, which is often prescribed as part of alcohol, opiate, or methadone treatment.
What Accommodation They Provide
In the case of residential rehab, the type of accommodation they offer has a vast impact on how much you end up paying. Most common inpatient facilities require sharing a room with several other patients.
Meanwhile, luxury rehab gives you the option of choosing a private room and bathroom, or a sharing a room with one roommate. There are many benefits of having the opportunity to book a private room. It gives you the space to reflect on what you’re learning, while blocking out other distractions.
What Amenities They Offer
Then, you have to consider additional amenities that the facility offers. Some rehab centers may offer extra amenities that go beyond traditional therapies. These include leisure activities, massage services, gourmet meals, and swimming pools.
Luxury amenities like these are provided to ensure a stress-free environment that’s conducive to recovery, but they end up increasing the overall cost.
Personal Factors
Besides the type and location of the facility, and the treatment and accommodation it offers, a patient’s personal factors can also influence the cost of treatment. It’s possible for two people to go to the same rehab center and be charged very different amounts.
That’s because the extent of your addiction, specific treatment requirements, and the existing of co-occurring disorders also affect the cost. For example, having a severe addiction means that you need to spend a longer time at the facility. Meanwhile, a pre-existing health condition like diabetes means that you need additional medical care.
What You Pay For With Private Rehab in UK
As we mentioned earlier, private and luxury rehabs cost the most among all addiction and mental health services. That’s because you’re getting more than just a conventional treatment approach. Rather, you receive a range of interventions including alternative therapies.
Private or Semi-Private Accommodation
The availability of private or semi-private accommodation is a major reason why private rehab costs much more than typical inpatient and outpatient programs.
Family Therapy
It’s quite common for private rehab centers to involve family members in the treatment process. They do this through family therapy and counselling sessions. These are designed to understand family members’ points of view and guide them on how they can improve your chances of recovery.
Post-Treatment Care
Recovery is a lifelong journey, so it doesn’t just end when you complete the treatment process. It’s likely that you’ll need to attend therapy sessions later on to keep track of your progress.
Besides the above-mentioned aspects, the facility may also provide additional amenities. As the list of amenities like massage therapy, gourmet meals, and and tennis courts increases, so does the cost.
Payment Options For Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment
There are different options to pay for drug or alcohol rehab. Most rehab facilities understand that each client has a unique financial situation. That’s why they offer several payment methods to choose from.
Self-Funding
The most obvious is to self-fund your treatments, which means paying the rehab cost on your own. You can do this with one lump sum or by making smaller payments each week.
Of course, this can be expensive, especially if you’re enrolling in a residential rehab program. That’s because you won’t be able to work for the duration of your addiction treatment. Fortunately, there are other payment options available than self-funding.
Insurance Coverage
The next available option you have is to see if your health insurance covers addiction treatment or rehab. Many private medical insurance providers support the addiction treatment cost. For instance, BUPA, Aviva, Vitality, AXA, and others.
If you have private insurance coverage personally or via your employment, you need a referral from a general physician first. At your initial consultation, you should give the facility your insurance details so they can get a pre-authorisation.
However, it’s important to remember that insurance plans have different levels of coverage for addiction treatment. So, if you have any questions, it’s best to ask your insurance provider about the details of your plan.
Employer Funding
In the UK, some employers have an occupational health fund. You can consult the HR department at your workplace to know if your insurance plan covers residential rehab.
Some workplaces also have employee assistance programs in place to connect staff with professional services for issues like substance abuse. Through these programs, you can access a certain number of counselling sessions, and even substance abuse services. They connect you with resources for addiction treatment and medical detox so you can get the care you need.
Free Treatment Options
If you don’t have health insurance or your current plan doesn’t cover addiction treatment, there’s always the option to seek NHS-funded rehab. This is a free-of-cost treatment option that allows you to get treated for a specific period of time. However, NHS-funded rehab limits your ability to choose the kind of treatment you receive.
Usually, drug and alcohol abuse rehab through the NHS is provided via outpatient programs. Though the NHS may fund treatment at a private facility, it’s rare and requires a long process.
Some charities also offer discounted and free-of-cost drug addiction treatment in the UK. Your GP can connect you to relevant organisations offering funding for rehabilitative care.
Will My Insurance Plan Cover My Addiction Treatment?
Several health insurance providers in the UK pay a percentage of the cost or the entire cost of addiction treatment. These include BUPA, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tricare, Aviva, and Cigna. Of course, keep in mind that having private health insurance doesn’t guarantee a stay at a private rehab facility. The same insurance provider can offer different levels of coverage, so check your policy carefully and consult your insurance provider if necessary.
Coverage Can Vary
Not to mention, how much coverage your plan offers for addiction treatment varies depending on the policy and your provider. Usually, there’s a limit on how much your healthcare provider is willing to pay. This impacts the length of your stay and the kinds of treatment options available to you.
For example, the policy may cover a 28-day treatment at a drug and alcohol rehab center, but not a lengthy 90-day stay. Similarly, more expensive, luxury rehab facilities may not be accessible through some insurance plans.
It’s also likely that your policy has a deductible or excess, that you need to pay towards the actual cost of of your treatment. So, if you’re enrolling in an addiction treatment program that costs £10,000 and your deductible is £1,000, that’s how much you have to pay, while your insurer pays for the rest.
Average Rehab Cost In The UK
The average cost of drug and alcohol rehab can range from £1,000 to £10,000, but it can cost even more if you’re considering a luxury facility. Price-wise, rehab facilities can fall into low-cost, mid-tier, and luxury rehabs. In the low-cost category, outpatient rehab is the most affordable, with a week’s worth of treatment starting at around £1,000.
If you want a residential placement at a rehab facility, low-tier options can cost around £7,000 to £10,000 for a 28-day stay. At mid tier-to-luxury rehab facilities, this can cost as much as £10,000 or more for a week.
Alternatives To Private Rehab
Though private treatment is the most effective way to deal with addiction, not everyone has the resources to fund a stay at a private rehab facility. Fortunately, there are a few free and low-cost options available, such as the following:
NHS Rehab
If you apply for addiction treatment through the NHS, keep in mind that you won’t get placed in a residential clinic. Nevertheless, you can still receive support for alcohol and drug detox. This includes a prescription for detox medication that relieves withdrawal symptoms.
While NHS-funded addiction treatment typically includes outpatient rehab, you may be referred to a private facility if you struggle with a severe addiction and you’re considered eligible.
With rehab through NHS, you’ll also receive behavioural therapy sessions. These are designed to help you cope with the psychological aspects of drug or alcohol addiction. Certain therapeutic approaches, such as CBT, are well-suited to addiction treatment because they help you identify what’s causes or contributes to your addiction.
Though this alternative to private rehab is effective, you won’t get any of the holistic treatments like meditation, music therapy, or art therapy.
Support Groups
Though detox and rehabilitative treatment is the best course of action for any addiction, support is important, too. Millions of people across the UK are currently on their recovery journey and they stay connected through thousands of support groups.
These groups hold meetings every week to help members stay sober. However, support groups are most effective when attended in conjunction with rehab.
Community Drug and Alcohol Services
Despite the NHS providing free-of-cost rehab services, waitlists can be long, making it harder to get timely addiction treatment. In this case, local communities offer drug and alcohol services.
These include behavioral therapy and medical detox on through an outpatient program. After registering, your case will be assigned to a case worker, who’ll help you set goals for your rehab journey.
Online Rehab
Another option to consider online rehab, which involves a comprehensive addiction treatment program. It’s designed to replicate the same level of care offered by traditional in-person facilities. That means you can expect evidence-based practices, individualised treatment plans, and holistic therapies that encourage recovery.
The difference is that it’s much more affordable and accessible than in-person options. Not to mention, it eliminates the need to commute from home to a rehab clinic. Of course, they make sure to conduct a pre-assessment check to see if you’re eligible for online rehab. Depending on the severity of your addiction, you may still need to seek inpatient addiction rehab.
Other Costs To Consider
When you pay for substance abuse treatment, you’re not just paying for therapy sessions. Remember that there could be additional costs involved, too.
Post-Addiction Treatment Therapy
A common misconception is that therapy ends once you leave the treatment facility. But most programs require patients to come back for continued therapy. As you return to daily life and try to adjust, you’re bound to face some roadblocks. The goal of continuing therapy is to help you address these issues while preventing a relapse.
Medication
In some cases, such as dual diagnosis treatment, you receive care for both your substance use disorder and a mental disorder. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, integrated treatment is the best course of action in this case as it reduces the risk of a relapse.
If you’re getting treated for co-occurring disorders, you’ll need to continue taking medication. The treatment center may provide a weekly or monthly prescription to help relieve symptoms and improve adjustment after treatment. So, you can expect to pay for this as well.
Hidden Fees
When attending rehab, you can’t expect the bill to mention every cost in detail. Therefore, you should expect to pay numerous hidden fees over the course of your drug rehabilitation process. These include costs for assessments, medical evaluations, and access to amenities you may not realise aren’t part of the package. For example, spa treatments or sessions with personal trainers.
How The Rehab Period Affects Cost
When planning how much you expect to pay for rehab, you need to factor in how long you’ll be staying. If you need a medical detox, you can stay at a rehabilitation center for a short period or spend the entire treatment period there.
Let’s suppose you choose the first option. In that case, you’ll undergo a medically-supervised detox at a residential facility for one to two weeks. After that, you’ll transition to a partial hospitalisation program, where you spend six hours in treatment every day.
After a few weeks of that, you can move to intensive outpatient treatment, where you spend about 3 hours receiving treatment each day. Gradually, you’ll transition to a few hours of therapy each week, allowing you to discuss your progress with your therapist.
If you choose the second option, you’ll stay at a private rehab center for an average of 28 to 30 days. As this period comes to an end, your case manager will review your progress to see if a longer stay is necessary. In the case of severe addictions or co-occurring mental disorders, private rehab stays are extended to 60 or even 90 days. Naturally, this will end up affecting how much you pay for treatment, with some people needing to reach for their personal savings, too.
Finding The Right Drug and Alcohol Rehab Facility
Here’s how to find the right addiction rehab for your needs:
Review Their Specialities
Make sure that they specialise in treating the addiction that you or your loved one is struggling with. Whether it’s alcohol or opioid addiction, the type of substance use disorder can affect your road to recover. It’s essential that the program has experienced therapists to help you manage your specific addiction. We recommend checking the testimonials to help you know for sure.
Holistic Treatment
What kind of treatments do they offer? It’s best to choose a facility with a holistic approach. That means they combine evidence-based and alternative therapies with the goal of treating both your mind and body.
Medication Assisted Treatment
For people struggling with debilitating withdrawal symptoms or psychological distress, medication can be very effective. It helps stabilise patients so they can focus on treatment and long-term recover. Make sure that the rehab you’re considering offers medication-assisted treatment.
Comfortable Amenities
Even if you’re not expecting a resort-like facility, it needs to be comfortable. It’s a good idea to ask about the amenities before enrolling so that you know what to expect. This is also the best time to ask if they can make certain accommodations, like allowing you to leave the premises or giving you access to a computer.
How You Can Manage Rehab Costs
Addiction treatment shouldn’t have to be inaccessible because of the cost associated with it. Now that you’re aware of the factors influencing the average cost of rehab, you can try a few ways to manage it. Here’s what you can do to manage costs:
Review Different Rehab Facilities
For starters, you should review and assess different rehab facilities so you can control the cost of alcohol rehab. You can find a program that meets your budget by comparing treatment centers’ amenities and treatment options.
Look at aspects like whether your case will be supervised by a licensed clinician, certifications, patient testimonials, and other amenities. Once you’ve assessed their features, select one that offers quality care at at appropriate price point.
Look Through Insurance Options
After selecting a few programs that meet your needs, check with your insurance provider to determine whether it covers the specific drug and alcohol rehab facility. If it does, remember to measure how much coverage it offers for medication and therapy sessions. It’s also worth asking if they cover inpatient and outpatient treatment.
If your current health insurance plan doesn’t cover the plan you’re interested in, you have two options. You can either upgrade your plan to something that does cover your preferred addiction treatment program. Or, you can ask your provider which programs they cover, so you can choose.
Seek Financial Assistance Programs
If you’re not eligible for insurance-covered addiction rehab, you can try seeking financial assistance. For example, getting treatment through NHS-funded rehab options. Or, you can find non-profit organisations and local foundations offering funding for drug abuse. Sometimes, even rehab clinics have sliding scale fees or payment plans to help low-income patients get the treatment they need.
