Heroin is a widely-used opiate drug that is highly addictive and poses multiple negative side effects to the user. Individuals suffering from heroin addiction can get affordable rehab and detox programs that allow them to pursue recovery while reducing the discomfort and timeline of withdrawal.
Getting rid of this drug from the body through heroin detox is the first step of recovery if you are suffering from a heroin use problem. An ideal heroin detox program is aimed at meeting the patient’s needs, considering how challenging it is to beat a heroin addiction.
The user’s nervous system becomes dependent on heroin, and trying to detox without medical supervision can make the process harder and more unpleasant than it needs to be. Anyone struggling with a heroin use problem or addiction must undergo detox before starting intensive therapy, which helps them beat the psychological elements of the condition.
Heroin detox involves going through withdrawal from the addictive substance to end the user’s dependence on the drug. This is a necessary step on the recovery journey, but the associated costs of medical detox can be expensive. Detox programs such as rehab programs can be outpatient or inpatient-based. The required medical oversight for the person and the duration spent in the heroin detox program will ascertain the general cost of everything.
Different factors influence the cost of heroin detox, including whether medications are used and the same services provided to the patient. Certain medicines have maintenance programs to make withdrawal easier for the patient. An example of such a drug is buprenorphine, used for heroin withdrawal. On the other hand, detox for milder drugs or substances might involve medication management as needed to address withdrawal symptoms experienced by the patient.
Luckily, there are different types of detox programs as there are rehab options, and you can pay for your treatment in various ways. Payment options will differ with each heroin detox program but include the following:
- Free or charity-based treatment programs
- Government or state funding
- Medicare or Medicaid
- Payment installments or plans
- Private payment
- Private insurance
Before enrolling in a heroin detox program, it is important to research the financial element of care provided and ensure it suits the resources available. For example, if you need detox and you are on Medicaid, the program you choose should accept this mode of insurance coverage. You can ask a case manager or social worker at a medical facility about the details regarding payment for heroin detox programs.
Inpatient and Outpatient Heroin Detox Programs
Inpatient Detox
This residential program’s costs will include laundry, medical supervision, medications, housing, and meals, all of which are included in the treatment price. This is what makes inpatient detox so expensive. Usually, people who opt for an inpatient detox program require more medical supervision because of possible severe side effects or chronic co-occurring illnesses. Such individuals usually also stay in detox longer, for an average of nine days or just over a week.
Outpatient Detox
The general cost of this type of heroin detox program does not include the transportation costs to and from the treatment facility. It also does not include residence costs (excluding one’s existing home), meals, or time off work. Outpatient detox treatment is less intensive than inpatient detox. The average duration of this program is 6.5 days to one week. This is the standard period it takes patients to go through the peak of heroin withdrawal.
Even though people worried about the program’s cost may prefer outpatient detox initially, this program is not as effective for individuals experiencing dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Such patients might be better suited to an inpatient detox program, increasing their chances for long-term recovery success. Ensure you speak to a medical professional or addiction specialist about your substance abuse problem before getting treatment so that they can recommend an ideal detox program for your situation.
The Costs of Heroin Detox Programs
Most cities and states calculate detox costs in either weekly or daily costs. The payment scale could range based on the cost of living per area but not significantly. According to a report in the New York Times, the state paid an average of $!00 daily for outpatient detox with medical supervision. The cost was $400 daily for the same inpatient detox treatment.
In cases where medicines were prescribed during detox, such as buprenorphine, the costs increased to $1300 daily if medical supervision was included. A 2008 report published by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) noted that non-methadone outpatient detox ranged in costs between $1000 to $5000 weekly per person. This translates to $19 to $96 daily. On the other hand, the average costs for inpatient detox treatment were thought to fall between $3000 to $8000 weekly.
These figures will differ based on the kind of facility you attend. You can pay almost $7000 weekly at a private detox program, while Medicaid might cover detox costs for people with financial troubles or in a public hospital. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), an entire year of methadone maintenance could cost approximately $4700 per person. Individuals who enroll in methadone maintenance programs usually stay on for years, particularly if they suffer from severe heroin abuse. The CSAT recommends completing approximately 150 weeks of methadone treatment.
Insurance can pay for some costs, especially if they are inclusive of prescription drugs. If an individual has financial troubles or is unemployed, they might be able to get into a detox program through a charity or a free/low-cost government program.
Despite the costs, medical heroin detox and an extensive treatment program are essential for the path toward addiction recovery. If you get your family and friends to help you on the financial side, you can find a treatment option suitable for your situation. You can also speak to a case manager, doctor, or social worker to get more information on the costs of addiction treatment programs and relevant resources.