If you have little resources (i.e., money) left, can you get some help in drug rehabilitation centers?

Dear Reader,

It may be more difficult for a person with a limited budget to access drug rehabilitation centers, but help is available. In fact, there are many organizations and programs that recognize and address the financial barriers to treatment and recovery.

State and Federally Funded Drug Rehabilitation Facilities
Many of these facilities operate on a sliding fee scale (people pay what they can afford), are open to arranging payment plans, and/or participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs. To find one close to you, check out the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator or call 800.662.HELP (-4357). Contact facilities directly to find out specific information about payment options.

Vouchers
President Bush's substance abuse treatment initiative, Access to Recovery, provides individuals with vouchers to pay for treatment. Keep in mind that not all states participate and most of the treatments are faith-based.

Clinical Trials
Another option is to check out clinical trials. Clinical trials look into new counseling and/or medication treatment approaches. These treatments are often still in the investigational phases. The great thing is that many trials are free for qualified participants. To locate a clinical trial, visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse's Clinical Trials Network.

Also, although you didn't mention insurance, it's important to note that many insurance companies provide some sort of substance abuse treatment. However, there's a lot of variation in the amount and type of coverage. Specific coverage for an individual may depend on factors like addiction severity, how long the person has been addicted, what the drug of choice is, past treatments, and the different relationships that insurance carriers have with treatment centers. If you're privately insured, check with the insurer to figure out specific benefits.

There are places to turn for drug rehabilitation, even when the pockets are empty, but it might take some searching to find the best fit. There will probably be paperwork to fill out and phone calls to make and return. This can all be daunting for someone in the midst of an addiction, so it'd probably be helpful to have the support of family or friends during this trying process.

Alice

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