Drug Rehab FAQ

Costs vary widely by treatment type:

• Outpatient: $1,000–$10,000 per month
• Intensive Outpatient (IOP): $3,000–$10,000 per month
• Residential / Inpatient (30 days): $5,000–$80,000
• Detox (per week): $1,500–$10,000
• MAT / Methadone / Suboxone: $150–$500 per month
• Sober living: $500–$2,000 per month

Costs are significantly higher in states like California, New York, and Massachusetts. Many facilities accept Medicaid at no cost to the patient. Browse our directory to see payment options by facility.

Yes. Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, most private insurance plans must cover addiction treatment at the same level as other medical conditions. This includes detox, inpatient, outpatient, and MAT programs.

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, copays, and whether the facility is in-network. Always call your insurer and verify coverage before enrolling. Ask specifically: "Is this facility in-network? What is my deductible for inpatient behavioral health treatment?"

Yes — Medicaid covers addiction treatment in all 50 states, including detox, outpatient, residential, and MAT. In most cases, treatment is free or very low cost for Medicaid recipients.

Since the ACA's Medicaid expansion, any adult earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level qualifies in expansion states. Call SAMHSA's helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to find out if you qualify and get referred to a Medicaid-accepting facility near you.

Free and low-cost options exist in every state:

• Medicaid: If you qualify, treatment is typically free. Check eligibility at your state's Medicaid office.
• Sliding-scale fees: Many nonprofit facilities charge based on income — some as low as $0.
• SAMHSA block grant-funded facilities: Federally funded programs that provide free treatment to those who qualify.
• State-funded treatment: Every state has publicly funded addiction treatment programs.

Call 1-800-662-4357 (SAMHSA, free, 24/7) for referrals to free or low-cost treatment near you. Our directory also filters by facilities that accept Medicaid and offer sliding-scale fees.

Yes. Medicare Part A covers inpatient psychiatric and substance use treatment. Medicare Part B covers outpatient treatment and counseling. Medicare Part D may cover medications used in MAT. You'll pay standard Medicare cost-sharing (deductibles and coinsurance). Many facilities that accept Medicare are SAMHSA-verified — you can filter for Medicare-accepting facilities in our directory.

Inpatient / Residential: You live at the facility 24/7 for 28–90+ days. Provides the most structured environment. Recommended for severe addiction, previous failed outpatient attempts, or unstable home situations.

Outpatient: You attend sessions (usually 1–3 hours, several days a week) and return home each night. Works best when you have a stable home environment and a strong support system.

Intensive Outpatient (IOP): A middle ground — typically 9–20 hours per week of structured treatment without overnight stays. Common step-down from inpatient or step-up from standard outpatient.

• Detox: 3–10 days depending on the substance
• Short-term residential: 28–30 days
• Long-term residential: 60–90 days or longer
• Outpatient: 3–12 months of ongoing treatment

Research consistently shows longer treatment produces better outcomes. SAMHSA recommends at least 90 days for most substance use disorders. Recovery is ongoing — many people continue outpatient support, MAT, or peer programs for years.

Detox is the medically supervised process of clearing substances from your body while managing withdrawal symptoms. Whether you need detox depends on the substance:

• Alcohol & benzodiazepines: Withdrawal can be life-threatening. Medical supervision is strongly recommended.
• Opioids: Withdrawal is rarely dangerous but extremely uncomfortable. MAT (methadone, Suboxone) makes this much more manageable.
• Stimulants (meth, cocaine): Withdrawal is primarily psychological — medical supervision is helpful but less urgent.

Detox alone is not treatment. Following detox with a rehab program is essential for lasting recovery.

MAT combines FDA-approved medications with counseling to treat substance use disorders. It is evidence-based and reduces cravings, eases withdrawal, and significantly lowers relapse risk.

For opioid addiction: Methadone, buprenorphine (Suboxone), naltrexone (Vivitrol)

For alcohol use disorder: Naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram

MAT is not "replacing one drug with another" — these medications work differently from substances of abuse and are prescribed and monitored by licensed clinicians. SAMHSA and major medical associations consider MAT the gold standard for opioid use disorder.

12-step programs (AA, NA) follow a spiritual framework: admitting powerlessness, seeking a higher power, working through 12 steps with a sponsor. They are free, available everywhere, and have helped millions. Some people find the spiritual component essential; others find it a barrier.

Non-12-step programs use clinical approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, SMART Recovery. No spiritual component required. Evidence-based and effective.

The best program is one you'll actually engage with. Many facilities incorporate both approaches. You can filter our directory by "12-Step (AA/NA)" to find facilities that use this model.

Sober living homes are drug-free, structured living environments for people in early recovery. They bridge the gap between intensive treatment and independent living. Residents pay rent, follow house rules (no substance use, curfews, chores), and typically maintain jobs or attend outpatient treatment.

Costs typically run $500–$2,000 per month. Sober living is particularly valuable in the first year of recovery, when relapse risk is highest and social support is most critical.

The first day typically includes:

• Intake paperwork and insurance verification
• Medical evaluation and physical assessment
• Mental health and substance use history screening
• Drug testing
• Review of personal belongings (phones, restricted items)
• Orientation to the facility, rules, and schedule
• Meeting your treatment team

The goal of day one is to get you safe, comfortable, and assessed so treatment can begin immediately.

Yes. Traveling out of state for treatment is common and sometimes recommended — distance from familiar environments, triggers, and social circles can meaningfully improve outcomes.

Insurance note: Private insurance: check whether out-of-state facilities are in-network. Medicaid: generally only covers treatment in your home state (with emergency exceptions). Medicare: covered nationally.

Involuntary commitment to treatment exists in some states. Laws vary widely — Florida's "Marchman Act," Kentucky's "Casey's Law," and similar statutes allow family members to petition a court to order someone into treatment if they are a danger to themselves or others.

That said, voluntary treatment produces better outcomes. Many people enter treatment under pressure (from family, employers, or the legal system) and still achieve lasting recovery. An interventionist can help navigate this conversation constructively.

Steps that tend to work:

• Educate yourself first. Understanding addiction as a medical condition helps you approach the conversation without shame or blame.
• Choose the right moment. Talk when they're sober, calm, and the conversation can be private.
• Use specific examples. "I'm worried because I've noticed X and Y" — not ultimatums or generalizations.
• Have a plan ready. Research treatment options in advance so you can present a concrete next step.
• Consider a professional intervention. A licensed interventionist can structure the conversation more effectively than a family-only effort.

SAMHSA's helpline (1-800-662-4357) provides free guidance for families. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon offer free peer support for family members.

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) is a peer support program for people who have a drinking problem. It's for the person with the addiction.

Al-Anon is for family members and friends of people with alcohol problems — it helps them cope, set boundaries, and support their loved one without enabling. Nar-Anon is the equivalent for families dealing with drug addiction.

Both are free, widely available, and anonymity is guaranteed. Many families find Al-Anon/Nar-Anon essential — addiction affects the whole family, not just the person using.