Who Pays for Drug Treatment?

There are many factors that can prevent individuals from getting the help they need when they have a drug addiction. While some may be in denial and unable to see how serious their situation is, others are consumed by the question of who pays for drug treatment and believe that they could never afford to get their life back on track because of their financial situation.

If the question of who pays for drug treatment has been holding you back from getting the help you need to overcome a drug addiction, it is important that you know that not all programmes are privately run and hence paid-for services.

Did you know that NHS addiction programmes are available, as are programmes provided by charity organisations, all of which are free? The reality is that when it comes to drug treatment in the UK, you really do have a lot of options open to you. Moreover, private programmes may not be nearly as expensive as you might think.

What are Your Options for Drug Treatment?

In the UK, drug treatment is provided by a number of different organisations, including the NHS. But while NHS-run programmes are available, there are only a limited number of places at any one time, which can lead to huge demands and long waiting lists.

Charity organisations attempt to bridge the gap in places for those in need of help for addiction. But because of the demands placed on them and the fact that they rely on funding, they too often have waiting lists.

The alternative to waiting for treatment is to look for a privately-run clinic where you could potentially be admitted within hours of initial inquiry. Although these programmes are privately funded, the benefits more than makeup for it.

Why You Should Consider Paying for Addiction Treatment

The idea of having to pay for addiction treatment might be something you are not completely comfortable with, especially considering free programmes are available, but those who do choose this option often say it was the best decision they ever made.

Paying for drug treatment is a good idea if you want to tackle your addiction as soon as possible. Since private clinics do not have the same funding restrictions that the NHS and charity organisations do, they can usually admit patients very quickly.

Moreover, private clinics also tend to have the remit on inpatient programmes, which many people find preferable to outpatient programmes as they offer the fastest way to overcome addiction. Inpatient programmes are an intensive and concentrated approach to recovery and take place in a distraction-free environment where you have little option but to work on getting better.

Can You Afford to Pay for Addiction Treatment?

If the question of who pays for drug treatment is one that has been at the forefront of your mind for some time, it may be because you believe that you cannot afford a private programme. There is no denying that addiction treatment can be expensive, with the average 28-day rehabilitation programme costing around £4,000 to £6,000 and some costing even more. However, some private programmes are not as expensive as this and you may even have the option to spread the cost with an affordable payment plan.

What you really need to ask yourself is can you afford not to have treatment? If you are worried about the high cost of drug treatment, you need to look at things from a different perspective and consider how much money you will actually save when you are no longer paying for the drugs that have been controlling your life for so long.

If you allow your drug addiction to continue, you are likely to find it getting worse, meaning you will need to spend more and more on your habit. Unfortunately, financial hardship tends to go hand in hand with addiction, but if you make the decision to get well now and are prepared to invest in your future, you can look forward to getting your finances back in order.

Many recovering addicts say they recoup the money they spent on private treatment within the first year of sobriety. When they are not having to pay for drugs, they can start saving and improving their chances of financial stability going forward.

What is Private Drug Treatment Like?

Most private clinics offer inpatient programmes in luxurious surroundings. Staying in a private treatment facility is akin to staying in a hotel but without alcohol. You are likely to have your own private or semi-private bedroom, and you will spend much of your time in treatment.

When you arrive at the clinic, you will be assessed, and your treatment needs will be determined by the staff at the clinic. A bespoke treatment plan will be created to meet your needs, and this will include treatments such as individual counselling, group therapy, and holistic therapies.

As well as counselling and therapy sessions, you may also attend seminars and workshops to help with the development of work and life skills and to help you learn how to avoid a relapse going forward. You will probably spend meal times with other patients and you may or may not have some free time in the evenings or at the weekends where you can relax and interact with others at the clinic or enjoy some quiet time to reflect on your recovery.

What Happens After Rehab?

With an inpatient programme in a private clinic, you could be finished your treatment within four to eight weeks, depending on how severe your addiction is. At that point, you will be ready to return to everyday life; but this can be a trying time as you try to get used to living a substance-free life.

Nevertheless, you will have the full support of your counsellors and therapists, who will likely provide aftercare services as part of their programme. Aftercare usually continues for a period of up to twelve months, after which time your sobriety should be stronger.

It is a good idea to ensure that aftercare is included in your recovery plan. As well as accessing the support provided by your rehab clinic, you should get involved with a local recovery community too. With this additional support, you can begin getting your life back on track.

If you have paid a lot of money for a treatment programme, it is vital that you work hard on maintaining your sobriety so that you can ensure it was money well spent. The best thing for your health, relationships, and finances is for you to get better. When you are better, you can start putting the pieces of your life back together and can look forward to a much brighter future.

If you have always wondered who pays for drug treatment, you may have been delaying any attempts to seek treatment for fear that you would not be able to pay for it yourself. The good news is that you do have many options. Whether you choose to pay for drug treatment in a private clinic so that you can access treatment as soon as possible, or if you choose to wait for a free programme, is up to you. What is more important is that you do something about your situation and speak to someone today about what your next steps are.

If you would like more information on drug treatment and how to go about accessing it, please call us here at Primrose Lodge today. We will be happy to assist you in any way we can, whether that is answering your queries or providing information about our inpatient programmes. Call today for further information about our clinic and how we can help you.

close help
Who am I contacting?

Calls and contact requests are answered by admissions at

UK Addiction Treatment Group.

We look forward to helping you take your first step.

0203 553 9263