Why Is Rehab So Expensive

What Does Rehab Cost?

Alcohol rehab costs vary based on the length of the program and the provider. They can range anywhere from $250-$800 for a 30-day detox program, $1,400-$10,000 for a 90-day outpatient program, and $3,000-$10,000 for a 30-day inpatient program. Some programs are even more, ranging from $5,000-$80,000. These differences in cost are based on where you are, what amenities and services they offer, how long you stay, and more. Luxury or private-run facilities can even cost up to $100,000 monthly!


What does the word “rehab” make you think of? Maybe you imagine a hospital with patients in gowns standing in line to get their evening meds. Or maybe you picture a glamorous Florida resort complete with palm trees, game rooms, and horses for “equine therapy.”

While these two might be extremes, there’s a range of rehab options out there, and many of them can, indeed, be pricey. How much does it cost to go to rehab? What are the different options available? Let’s find out!

What Is Rehab?

First things first: what is rehab in the first place? When it comes to recovery from provide a wide range of services:

• Rehab helps us get booze out of our system. The first goal? Get alcohol safely out of our system and deal with any withdrawal symptoms that might come up. It’s crucial to be medically stable before we go any further! 
• It gives us time and space to learn about alcohol misuse and develop a “battle plan.” Understanding why we drank the way we did — and how to cope with life without booze — is at the heart of most rehab programs. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) are great for changing our thought patterns around alcohol, spotting triggers, and rerouting our automatic thoughts. Likewise, mindfulness and meditation can help us overcome alcohol misuse and take care of our overall health.
• It devotes time to planning for the future. Once we’re back in the “real world,” we’ll need a solid plan to deal with cravings and triggers. A great support team to cheer us on and be at our side when things get challenging is also key.

Now that we’ve discussed the basics of rehab, let’s get into the costs of different rehab programs.

How Much Does Rehab Cost?

How expensive is rehab? Well, it depends because there are lots of options out there. Some can be as low as $250 for a 30-day detox program, while others reach tens of thousands of dollars. The amount you’d end up paying depends on how long you stay, what amenities the facility offers, where they’re located, and more.

What makes some rehab options more expensive than others? Let’s break it down:

• Length of stay. The duration of rehab can vary, with longer stays typically being more expensive. Some programs last 30 days, while others may extend to 90 days or more, depending on the severity of the addiction and the person’s needs.
• Program structure. Residential, inpatient, and outpatient programs will have very different price ranges, with outpatient being the most affordable (since it doesn’t include room and board).
• Insurance coverage. Not all insurance plans cover rehab, and those that do may not cover all costs. This can leave people paying significant out-of-pocket expenses.
• Types of services and providers. Programs with a large number of staff members who provide personalized care to each patient will certainly be pricier. For example, some programs will assign us a treatment team of several providers — we might be meeting with a medical doctor, a psychiatrist, therapist, and nutritionist on a regular basis.
• Room and board. While residential and inpatient programs alike will have rooms for the patients to live in, they’re also more expensive because of it. Outpatient programs on the other hand, let patients live at home, which lowers the cost.
• Additional services. There are many additional services some programs provide — yoga classes, meditation facilities, and even equine therapy. And, of course, those horses — therapeutic as they may be to ride, wash, or paint (yes, that’s a thing) — will rack up the bill.
• Location. Finally, location makes a difference. Regions with a high cost of living (such as major cities) will be pricier than their more remote counterparts. That said, a scenic location in the mountains or by the beach might be just as (if not more) expensive.

As we can see, there are many factors that play into the cost of rehab. Now, let’s talk specifics, shall we?

“Luxury” Residential Rehab Cost

These top-tier facilities are by far the most expensive, with monthly prices rivaling several years of college tuition. These residential programs are usually tucked away in beautiful, serene locations. They’re all about comfort, style, and fancy amenities — and all of that comes at a (hefty) price.

What types of prices are we looking at? As much as $30,000 to $100,000 per month (yowza!) Here are the features that luxury residential rehabs usually include:

• Private rooms. Want some privacy while you recover? Luxury rehabs will typically make sure that you have your own room.
• Gourmet meals. Don’t want anything that resembles hospital food? You certainly won’t find it here!
• Holistic therapies. Yoga, acupuncture, sound healing, meditation, aqua therapy — you name it, chances are these luxury residential rehabs will have at least some of the many holistic therapies available nowadays.
• Picturesque views. Think beachfront vistas and mountain retreats. A lot of luxury rehabs look like fancy resorts to anyone who stumbles upon them (or stays in them, for that matter). And there’s science behind this: research shows that nature helps boost happy neurochemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. And we don’t need to spend a fortune to reap the benefits. Next time you’re feeling down or struggling with a craving, give it a try! Even spending a few minutes in the backyard or taking a stroll in a neighborhood park “counts.”

Ready for some real-world examples? Here they come!

• Passages Malibu (Malibu, California): $80,000-$120,000 per month. Founded in 2001 by father and son Chris and Pax Prentiss, Passages Malibu began as a family’s desperate attempt to save their son. Plagued by heroin, cocaine, and alcohol addiction for 10 long years, Pax kept relapsing. Other treatment centers and 12-Step programs didn’t do it for them, but the holistic wellness program designed to “heal the underlying causes of addiction did.” A holistic wellness program, Passages boasts private villas, gourmet meals, personalized treatment, and breathtaking ocean views. But you don’t have to go broke (especially if your insurance doesn’t cover it) to incorporate some of the elements into your own journey! (Check out “11 Mindfulness Exercises and Activities for Adults” and “Practical Tips for Incorporating Mindful Living Practices to Support Sobriety.”)
• The Meadows (Wickenburg, Arizona): around $54,000 for a 45-day program. Tranquil, modern, and serene, The Meadows is all about combining luxurious accommodations in a natural setting, a world-class treatment program, and neuroscience-based treatments such as neurofeedback therapy. And yes, they have horses! While less mind-boggling than the cost of Passages, the price tag for 45 days is still on par with a good annual salary. Want to learn more about the benefits of nature for recovery? Take a look at “What Is Ecotherapy? 5 Ways Time in Nature Improves Mental Well-Being.”

Middle-of-the-Road Inpatient Rehab Cost

An alternative to the luxury residential facilities, middle-of-the-road rehabs provide similar basic services for $3,000 to $10,000 per month. The main difference? We don’t get the “extras” — perhaps the setting is a bit more clinical, the gym might not have Peloton bikes, and yes, sadly there are probably no horses. But we still get all of the main components that make rehab worth it for many folks: therapy, group sessions, and, most importantly, a chance to hit “pause” and reflect on our changing relationship with alcohol while planning for the future.

Here’s a sample of popular programs from around the country, along with prices:

• Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation offers services around the U.S. at about $20,000 to $32,000 per month. They also provide financial assistance for those who need it.
• Phoenix House is another facility with multiple locations that runs between $10,000 and $20,000 depending on the program, making it a solid choice for effective and affordable care.
• Recovery Centers of America provides a supportive and structured environment in locations around the country. Prices range from $15,000 to $27,000 per month, with some assistance available.

Affordable Outpatient Rehab Cost

Finally, there’s always the option of outpatient rehab, which provides treatment for alcohol misuse during the day. It’s a bit like going to work or school: we show up in the morning, attend sessions, and go home at night. The sessions, in turn, provide us with those tools we need to change our relationship with alcohol. Some sessions might focus on dealing with cravings, while others might dive deep into meditation, CBT, or DBT techniques. There will probably be an opportunity for a more open discussion to share what’s on our mind, as well as time to meet with our treatment providers in private.

Needless to say, outpatient rehab is a lot more affordable, generally hovering around $2,000 per month. They’re a great alternative for those who find rehab costs are a major obstacle in getting treatment, as well as those who need the flexibility outpatient treatment provides.

Costs and Benefits

When considering rehab, it’s important to also consider the cost of alcohol, both direct ones and indirect ones. For example, we may think that a few hundred to thousands of dollars is a lot for rehab, but if we’re at the point where we feel we may need to attend rehab, then chances are, we’ve been paying a whole lot for booze already. 

A survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the average household spent nearly 1% of their yearly earnings on alcohol. Say we spend $500 on alcohol yearly, this becomes $5,000 over 10 years, and  $20,000 over 40 years. That said, those with an alcohol use disorder will most likely spend more than this, not to mention any loss of money occurring from things such as DUIs, or lost income due to decreased work productivity. If we’re ready to give up booze for good, the investment in rehab will eventually “pay off” literally by reducing our spending in the future!

Making Rehab More Affordable

Here are a few tips to manage the costs:

• Check what your insurance covers. Start by looking at options covered by your insurance. This is always the best bet!
• Check out financing options and sliding scale fees. Your income makes a difference, and some centers will adjust the cost or spread it out over time to make it more affordable. 
• Look for programs funded by the state or non-profit organizations. These are likely to be more affordable, so it’s worth it to check if you qualify! 
• Look for scholarships. Some facilities offer assistance to those who are struggling financially. People can apply for these scholarships based on various qualifications. Again, this varies by facility and goes beyond the facilities themselves. An organization called 10,000 Beds offers scholarship opportunities covering rehab treatment costs depending on a person’s eligibility.

If none of these options work for you, don’t worry! There are alternatives to traditional rehab out there.

Rehab Alternatives

What if you decide that rehab is not for you after all? That’s okay too! Many people find recovery in other places. For a deep dive, check out “Why Does Addiction Rehab Fail for Some People?” For now, let’s look at some rehab alternatives:

• Therapy. These days therapy has moved beyond analyzing dreams and talking about your third-grade teacher (although if that approach speaks to you, there’s nothing wrong with that!). It’s more about having different options available. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy that targets thought distortions and allows us to “hack” our own brain to ultimately change our behavior works wonders for alcohol misuse. So does dialectical therapy, which incorporates aspects of mindfulness and includes modules such as interpersonal effectiveness and distress tolerance.
• Mindfulness and meditation. Speaking of mindfulness, did you know that it’s a science-backed way to bust through cravings and break habits, including those related to alcohol? Science even says that meditation helps prevent relapse in people with substance use disorders, including alcohol use disorder.

And don’t forget about apps like Reframe! If rehab is out of reach or simply not your thing, Reframe offers a plethora of resources including research-backed information, craving-busting tools, a motivational coach, and a supportive community right there in the palm of your hand! Plus, it only costs $100 a year, which is way less than any rehab program out there! We’re rooting for you no matter what method you choose!

Summing Up

All in all, the recovery journey is personal, and that’s why it’s important to find something that works for you, whether it’s traditional rehab or something else. And with the variety of options out there, there is certainly something for everyone, no matter what our budget is!