Cost of Addiction Treatment

If you are struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol and want to get help, it’s likely that you have several questions about what to expect from professional treatment, including how much it will cost. There isn’t a fixed price for addiction treatment, but instead, a variety of elements can affect the cost of treatment.

Professional drug and alcohol treatment is often considered an investment in one’s health and wellbeing and can provide priceless outcomes. This page will take a deeper dive into how much addiction treatment can cost, what payment options prospective patients have, and how treatment can still be obtained even if someone is uninsured or unable to afford rehab.

Addiction Treatment Cost

The cost of addiction treatment is one of the most important factors to consider when looking to get help for a drug or alcohol addiction. However, many people who are living with a substance use disorder experience financial difficulties that serve as a barrier for obtaining treatment. Putting off getting treatment due to monetary concerns can be a slippery slope, as allowing an addiction to continue without treatment can cause long-term health problems and even death.¹ Learning more about addiction treatment cost can help you connect to treatment that can ultimately save your life.

The cost of rehab varies depending on several factors and is typically higher for inpatient or residential programs, where the patient resides at the facility 24/7.

The cost for alcohol or drug rehab usually depends on:

Rehab Prices

If you’re conducting internet searches such as “How much does rehab cost?” or “How much does it cost to go to rehab?“, it’s important to understand that the results your searches yield will likely not be reflective of your final costs. Components of treatment like levels of care and specific amenities can all impact your overall cost of care. Here, we’ll explore the factors that can affect detox cost, inpatient rehab cost, and the cost of outpatient rehab.

Detox Cost

Detoxification, or “detox”, is a set of interventions capable of managing drug and alcohol induced withdrawal symptoms.¹ When conducted in a professional setting, detox offers patients 24-hour medical observation and support to help them safely and comfortably withdraw from drugs or alcohol.^2,3 The cost of this service is often reflective of how long the patient remains in detox and if they were provided medication during that span of time.

Inpatient Rehab Cost

Inpatient rehab, which is sometimes called residential treatment, is a treatment setting where patients live for the duration of their treatment while participating in an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program.⁴ This level of addiction treatment is typically recommended for people who have co-occurring disorders, have experienced relapse, or need a more intensive level of care due to a severe addiction.⁴

Inpatient drug or alcohol treatment is typically more expensive than other levels of care because patients will reside at the facility and have access to a team of treatment professionals 24/7.^2,4 The exact cost of inpatient rehab will depend on several factors, including the offered amenities at your facility, your treatment location, prescribed medications, and the length of your stay.

Cost of Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient rehab, which consists of standard outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), allows patients to continue living at home while receiving treatment for their substance use disorder.^2,3 The number of days per week a patient attends treatment and for how long is determined based on which type of outpatient treatment they are receiving. Similarly, the cost of a patient’s outpatient rehab is also dependent on this factor, too.

The overall outpatient cost varies for several reasons, including which type of outpatient rehab the patient is participating in. Generally speaking, outpatient rehab costs less than inpatient treatment, but intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs are usually more expensive than standard outpatient programs. Final cost can also be impacted by many other factors, such as how often a patient attends their outpatient program, the number of sessions that are available to them per week, and the level of intensity of their program.

How to Pay for the Cost of Rehab

Figuring out how to pay for rehab can feel overwhelming and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. If you have private health insurance, using insurance to pay for treatment (or Medicare or VA insurance) is often an option. Speak with your insurance provider to learn more about the details of your specific plan so you can gain better insight into what services you may have coverage for.

If you are uninsured, know that you can still get the help you need. For example, paying privately, getting financial assistance from friends and/or family, applying for government scholarships to cover your drug rehab cost, or asking if your facility offers assistance, such as allowing you to pay on a sliding fee scale, can all be workable options.

Finding and Paying for Rehab Near You

At American Addiction Centers, our team is here to help you get the care you need and begin your journey to wellness. We know how intimidating rehab prices can feel, that’s why our rehab admissions navigators are available to answer all the questions you have and help guide you towards the treatment that is best for you. Call our team today at and learn more about which type of rehab may be the right fit for your needs.