How to Pay for Rehab When You’re Not a Celebrity

In the past, it’s been seemingly impossible for the average person to afford a comprehensive treatment program for any kind of substance abuse, but that is no longer true in today’s world. The support of affected individuals, especially for those who might need long-term wrap-around support, was basically nonexistent. A countless number of individuals suffered needlessly from this, getting stuck in a cycle of incarceration or declining mental health that led to tragic outcomes.

In today’s world, we are fortunate enough to have advances to these issues that allow for almost anyone to seek treatment and have it be affordable and attainable, no matter their life situation. Legislation has been passed that requires insurance companies to treat mental illness and substance abuse the same as other types of medical care, and laws like the Affordable Care Act have made these types of insurance attainable to those who may not have been able to afford it before.

There are a number of industries that offer specialized insurance that also covers rehabilitation services. Many common insurances that are usually obtained through an employer will at least partially cover substance abuse services, with Blue Cross Blue Shield being a common provider among those that are more well known. Many government employees use GEHA for rehab in California, and if you are a government employee at the federal or state level, it may benefit you to look into this possibility. 

Finance Your Treatment Personally

Of course, the easiest option is to cover your treatment yourself if your insurance doesn’t cover it fully or even at all. Many people may not have the option to finance their treatment themselves. However, if this is an option for you, even if it depletes your savings for a short time, it will be worth it. Think about it – your addiction is likely costing you a huge amount of money and might be depleting your savings already. Using that savings to pay for treatment to break a substance abuse disorder can actually save money in the long term because you are no longer paying for an addictive substance that will keep bringing you back for more.

Think About a Personal Loan

Many people would not explore the option of a personal loan to finance their own addiction treatment. Nevertheless, this is a completely viable option, and there are a few different avenues to explore. First, think about your friends and family. While asking for money from friends or family is never easy, you may be surprised at those who are willing to help when you are using that money to get yourself into a treatment center. A bonus to this is that the money can be paid directly to the treatment center, for those friends and family members who may be concerned about where the money will go.

If friends and family are not an option for you, think about using a credit card or taking out a low-interest personal loan from a bank. Options with credit cards may make paying back the cost of a treatment center more feasible because payments can be done over a long period of time. Personal loans from a bank may provide the same options, just make sure you are finding the best interest rate you can get, so you are not paying a much higher cost than you originally thought you would be.

Check With Treatment Centers

Many treatment centers offer their own financing packages to help people get their services who would not otherwise be able to afford the cost. Many centers make it a priority to offer packages that are well within a patient’s means to pay back after their treatment has ended. This can take away the extra worry that someone has about costs when they are having enough of a difficult time just asking for help in the first place.

Legislation and progress in recent years have made treatment for addiction much more accessible and removed many barriers that were previously in place. Whatever gets you to the point of seeking treatment, don’t let finances keep you from moving toward the happier, healthier life you want to lead. No wall is too high when it comes to getting yourself the help you need, and the resources out there can get you on your way.