Many people need heroin addiction treatment, but few actually get it. Part of this can be attributed to a reluctance to get treatment, but accessibility also plays a role. Some of the people who cannot get addiction treatment in rehab facilities could blame a lack of insurance or not being able to afford the cost of rehab. These individuals could be referred to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration for assistance. Below we will look at the options available for individuals looking for free or low-cost heroin addiction treatment services.
SAMHSA
This service is part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and it aims to promote the progress of behavioral health services in the country. SAMHSA is geared towards reducing the effects of substance abuse and mental health illness on various communities in the US. Usually, people looking for addiction treatment facilities will be referred directly to SAMHSA as it has a vast network and directory of support ad recovery services for those who need it. It is a highly beneficial resource if you navigate the website correctly.
Depending on your selected location of care or your area of residence, you will find various private and state-funded rehabilitation facilities. Aside from the website’s Substance Use Treatment Locator, there are also service locators and resources:
- The Opioid Treatment Program Directory
- Early Serious Mental Illness
- Buprenorphine Practitioner and Treatment
- Behavioral Health Treatment
If you are looking for immediate assistance, the SAMHSA National Helpline or the Treatment Referral Routing Service is at your disposal 24/7, offering confidential and free treatment information on substance use disorders and mental health.
State-Funded Rehab
These facilities are ideal for individuals with limited finances trying to get started with heroin addiction treatment. They are government-sponsored at the state level and provide addiction treatment services to people who cannot afford to get treatment in private facilities. State-funded rehab facilities include the following services:
Supportive services- Partial hospitalization
- Outpatient treatment
- Inpatient treatment
- Detox
Even though these state rehab centers provide evidence-based treatment, they might not be able to offer the most advanced treatment approaches as they have low staff and limited funding. Most of these facilities are also well-known for having very long waiting lists, making it hard for people suffering from substance abuse problems to get the help they need.
Find Addiction Rehabs, FreeRehabCenters.org, SAMHSA, and other relevant resources can help you find state-funded rehab centers near you. If you have any state-funded insurance, such as Medicaid, or Medicare, reach out to your insurance provider to give you a list of facilities within their network. Once you get them, look through the facilities for those with good public reviews online and contact them directly for information about their requirements until you get a space in one of them.
State-Funded Rehab Eligibility
Unfortunately, due to the affordability of state-funded addiction treatment programs, they are usually very high in demand, with long waiting lists and limited slots in the program. That is why these centers typically have strict requirements for eligibility. Anyone looking for treatment in a state rehab will need to offer up the following details first:
- Proof of residency within the state where you want to get treatment.
- Lack of a health insurance cover
- Family size
- Evidence of one’s income
These requirements will differ in each state.
You will most likely be placed on a waiting list after applying for heroin addiction treatment services in these facilities and meeting the eligibility qualifications. It is rare for individuals to be enrolled immediately in these state programs, and based on how long the waiting list is, it can take ages to start getting treatment. As you wait for admission into a state rehab, it is advisable to use a 12-step program in the meantime.
Depending on the extent of your heroin addiction, you might start experiencing withdrawal symptoms during the waiting period. If this happens, you can go to the nearest emergency room or hospital for assistance from medical professionals who can safely manage the symptoms.
Free Rehab Support Groups
12-step programs also offer assistance for addiction recovery and preventing substance abuse. This program was developed by the same people who created Alcoholics Anonymous and is based on a set of established guidelines that helps people suffering from addiction. The 12-step model of recovery is designed to help people struggling with substance abuse and addiction achieve sobriety and find healing through a higher power. Even though most of these programs lean more towards a religious approach in their treatment, there are also more secular programs.
During meetings, you can ask your peers and the community if they know about any low-cost or free facilities that can accept state insurance. The people here can be an excellent resource for recommendations based on their own experiences and can tell you about possible facilities where you can apply to enroll. Support groups can be beneficial for people struggling with addiction as they keep you from feeling isolated during recovery. They also allow you to learn from people going through the same experience and sharing the same problems.
12-step programs are available almost anywhere and have multiple benefits such as:
- A free solution for addiction treatment or rehab
- A restored commitment to addiction recovery
- Providing structure in one’s daily routine
- Being accessible in any state, town, and city
- A solid, sober network and community
This program is an ideal option for people looking for addiction assistance but do not have instant access to it.
You can also ask loved ones for financial assistance for heroin addiction treatment or alternatively use online fundraising platforms such as GoFundMe.com to raise funds for rehab.