Cost Guide › Drug Rehab
Drug rehab costs $1,500 to $150,000 for a full treatment episode, depending on the substance and the level of care. Opioid, stimulant, and other drug treatment differ substantially in cost drivers — here’s the breakdown by substance and by setting.
🆘 Free Help: 1-800-662-4357Drug rehab costs $1,500 to $150,000 for a full treatment episode, depending on the substance and level of care. Detox runs $1,500–$25,000 per week, outpatient runs $1,000–$20,000 per month, and residential treatment for 30–90 days runs $5,000–$150,000 total. Which substance is involved changes both the clinical approach and, over time, the total cost — opioid treatment often includes ongoing low-cost medication, while stimulant treatment relies on longer behavioral programs with no medication option.
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Section 1
Like alcohol treatment, drug rehab is priced by level of care rather than as a single flat fee. Most people move through detox (if medically necessary), then outpatient or residential treatment.
| Level of Care | Typical Cost | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Detox | $1,500–$25,000/wk | 3–14+ days | Duration and cost vary sharply by substance (see below) |
| Standard Outpatient | $1,000–$5,000/mo | 3–6+ months | Often paired with MAT for opioid use disorder |
| Intensive Outpatient (IOP) | $3,000–$10,000/mo | 2–3 months | Most common step-down after detox or residential |
| Residential (30–90 days) | $5,000–$150,000 total | 28–90+ days | Stimulant treatment often runs longer to compensate for no MAT option |
Section 2
The substance driving addiction changes the clinical approach — and that changes cost. Here's how the major drug categories differ.
For a full breakdown of detox pricing and clinical protocol by substance, see our Detox Cost guide.
Section 3
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the standard of care for opioid use disorder. Unlike a one-time residential stay, MAT is typically an ongoing monthly cost — and it's one of the most affordable, evidence-based parts of drug treatment.
Section 4
Methamphetamine and cocaine use disorder are treated very differently from opioid use disorder, and that difference shows up directly in total cost.
| Opioid Use Disorder | Stimulant Use Disorder | |
|---|---|---|
| FDA-approved medication | Yes — methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone | None |
| Primary treatment approach | Medication + counseling | Behavioral therapy only (CBT, contingency management) |
| Typical program length | 30–60 days residential, then ongoing MAT | 90+ days residential or extended IOP recommended |
| Total cost driver | Lower total cost — MAT substitutes for extended residential stays | Higher total cost — longer program length compensates for no medication option |
This is one of the most important — and least understood — cost differences in drug treatment. It's not that stimulant treatment charges a higher rate; it's that effective stimulant treatment usually requires more total time in care, and total time is what drives total cost.
Section 5
Yes, in the large majority of cases. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires insurance plans that cover medical care to cover substance use disorder treatment, including drug rehab, at a comparable level.
Covers detox, MAT, and rehab for all substances in all 50 states. Copays are typically $0–$3. See our Medicaid coverage guide.
Covers detox, MAT, outpatient, and residential care after deductible and coinsurance. Residential treatment usually requires prior authorization. See our full insurance coverage guide.
Many facilities offer 20–40% self-pay discounts and payment plans. See our guide to rehab cost without insurance for free and low-cost pathways.
SAMHSA block-grant facilities are required to serve patients regardless of ability to pay. Search our state directory for free/low-cost facilities.
Section 6
Cost should never keep someone from getting treatment. Free and low-cost pathways exist for every substance and level of care.
Section 7
Without insurance, drug rehab costs $1,500 to $150,000 depending on the substance and level of care. Detox runs $1,500–$25,000 per week, outpatient runs $1,000–$20,000 per month, and residential treatment for 30–90 days runs $5,000–$150,000 total.
Stimulant treatment often runs longer (and therefore costs more in total) since there is no FDA-approved medication to shorten the process. See our full guide to rehab without insurance.
Yes, significantly. Opioid treatment often includes ongoing medication-assisted treatment (buprenorphine or methadone), which is relatively inexpensive monthly but is typically needed long-term. Stimulant (meth, cocaine) treatment has no approved medication, so it relies on longer behavioral treatment programs, which raises total cost over time.
Benzodiazepine detox requires a slow multi-week taper, making it one of the most expensive detox processes by total episode cost. See our Detox Cost guide for the substance-by-substance breakdown.
Methadone maintenance at a licensed Opioid Treatment Program typically costs $150–$500 per month. Buprenorphine (Suboxone) costs $150–$500 per month for medication, plus $100–$300 per prescriber visit, though many programs bundle these together.
Both are usually covered by Medicaid and most private insurance plans, often reducing out-of-pocket cost to $0–$50 per month.
Yes. Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, insurance plans that cover medical care must cover substance use disorder treatment at a comparable level. Medicaid covers drug rehab, including detox and MAT, in all 50 states.
Private insurance typically covers detox and outpatient after your deductible, and residential treatment usually requires prior authorization. See our insurance coverage guide for the full breakdown.
There is no FDA-approved medication for stimulant use disorder (methamphetamine, cocaine), unlike opioid use disorder, which has three approved medications (methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone).
Without medication to reduce cravings, stimulant treatment relies more heavily on longer behavioral therapy programs — often 90 days or more of residential or intensive outpatient care — which increases total treatment cost even though the monthly rate may be similar.
Yes. Medicaid covers drug rehab in all 50 states at little or no cost for people who qualify by income. SAMHSA block-grant-funded facilities are required by law to serve patients regardless of ability to pay.
Call SAMHSA's free helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for a referral to a free or low-cost program near you.
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