Larry Minikes 3/23/20 Larry Minikes 3/23/20

Financial Assistance for Recovering Addicts

Article provided by LendEDU

Financial hardship is common among recovering addicts, but there are resources that provide financial aid for drug rehab. Individuals in recovery have access to grants, non-profit and private programs, personal funding, and insurance to manage the expense of rehab.

For people living with addiction, as well as those who care for them, all aspects of life can be affected. Addiction not only creates emotional and physical wounds but can cause other hardships as well.

One significant hurdle faced by those recovering from addiction is financial instability. Substance abuse and drug addiction are expensive on their own, but living with addiction or going through recovery adds further financial challenges.

From rehabilitative therapy to prescription medication and more, the costs of treatment add up quickly – according to U.S News and World Report, the “…annual economic impact from the misuse of prescription drugs, illicit drugs, or alcohol is $442 billion.”

Fortunately, financial aid for drug rehab comes in a variety of forms, from health insurance coverage to state and federal funding. This guide will outline some of the resources designed to provide financial assistance for recovering addicts.

In this guide:

Financial aid for drug rehab

On average, drug rehab costs range from a few to several hundred dollars for a 30-day detox, and between $5,000 and $80,000 for residential recovery treatment. Many individuals in or contemplating recovery may see this as a deterrent to getting the help they need. However, several resources exist that offer financial assistance for drug rehab and associated programs.

Health insurance and the ACA

With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, pre-existing health conditions were no longer an exclusionary tactic for insurance providers. This drastically changed how addiction recovery was viewed under many health insurance plans.

Treatment for addiction is generally considered a covered medical condition. Additionally, The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act mandates that large group health insurance plans cannot impose less favorable limitations on mental health or substance use disorder treatment benefits than on medical or surgical benefits. The ACA amended this federal law to include individual health insurance coverage, not just large group plans.

Any ACA-compliant health insurance policy may pay between 60% and 90% of the cost of rehabilitation. If you have been denied coverage or experienced benefit limits that are not in compliance with these laws, an appeals process may be necessary.

To appeal a denial of benefits under an ACA health insurance plan, request a fair and full review of the denial with the insurance provider directly or follow your state’s external review process. More information about the appeals process can be found here.

To understand what rehabilitation costs are covered with your specific insurance plan, get in contact with your health insurance provider or check policy limits online.

Government grants for recovering addicts

In addition to health insurance coverage through ACA programs, grants may also be available from state and federal governments. Government grants for addiction recovery vary depending on financial circumstances and location, but the resources below are worth evaluating to determine the level of assistance available.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

One resource for federal grants for recovering addicts is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) program. Through SAMHSA, block grants are provided to state addiction treatment providers to benefit those in need. Typically, receiving a SAMHSA grant requires meeting specific income requirements or participating in a qualified treatment program through the courts.

To see eligibility information and complete the application process, visit the SAMHSA website.

State-funded and local treatment programs

According to a recent study conducted by Pew Charitable Trusts, a significant portion of spending on drug and alcohol addiction treatment is done by state and local governments. Public assistance in this form often falls under the purview of specific agencies, such as human services or public health departments.

Financial aid for drug rehab may be offered through reduced-cost or no-cost treatment facilities funded by the state. Additionally, assistance in getting back on one’s feet after treatment may also be available. This assistance often comes in the form of low or no-cost sober living for recovering addicts.

Disability income can also be an option for those in recovery, although the definition of disability is quite strict. Other financial aid for recovering addicts on a state or local level include food stamps, health insurance through Medicaid, employment assistance, or training at little to no cost.

Recovering addicts can visit their state or local government’s website or local human services office to determine what programs and partnerships are available.

VA benefits

Another source of drug rehab assistance comes from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Through the VA, several programs are made available to veterans of the military who are struggling with addiction. Treatment programs, including in-patient and out-patient services, medically-assisted treatment, and residential care, are offered at no cost to qualifying veterans. For help, veterans can speak with their VA healthcare provider, contact a local Vet Center, or call the VA hotline at 1-800-827-1000.

Financial aid directly from treatment centers

Financial assistance for recovering addicts may also be available directly from a treatment center. Because the cost of rehabilitation can be high in private facilities, many offer payment plans and financing to help ease the burden.

After discharge, an individual in recovery may have an option to establish a payment plan that requires installment payments over a period of several months or several years. Interest may or may not be charged, so it is necessary to fully understand the total cost of financing a treatment stay.

You may also be able to find a free treatment center for drug addiction. Typically, centers that do not charge for outpatient or in-patient services for drug rehab have requirements that patients must meet. For instance, the Salvation Army offers little to no-cost drug rehab so long as the patient agrees to work 40 hours per week to help offset the cost. Check with local organizations to see if financing or free treatment is available, but be sure to understand everything that it entails.

Faith-based rehab programs

Many faith-based organizations offer treatment services to recovering addicts. In some cases, sponsorship is available for individuals in the community trying to get out of the throes of addiction. Although the cost of faith-based treatment may not be lower than other treatment centers, this sponsorship can bring down the expense.

Check with local religious organizations or leaders, such as churches, pastors, or priests, to ask about faith-based treatment services available.

National Foundation for Credit Counseling

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling is a national non-profit that offers a variety of financial education and guidance to those struggling to manage their money. This organization does not provide financial assistance for drug rehab directly. However, people suffering from addiction can work with the counselors at the organization to gain a better understanding of what steps are necessary to improve their overall financial lives.

Crowdfunding

In addition to assistance from treatment centers, the government, or other community-based programs, financial help for drug rehabilitation may come from raising money on your own or with the help of a family member or friend.

Crowdfunding platforms, including GoFundMe and Indiegogo, allow individuals or organizations to raise funds for specific campaigns or initiatives. Crowdfunding campaigns may be used to help fund an individual need – such as covering the cost of drug rehabilitation – with help from friends, family, and local communities easily and quickly.

Drug rehab loan

Drug rehab loans offer another alternative to when recovering addicts need to secure financial aid. Although drug rehab loans are not free aid, they can be beneficial in getting the upfront funds needed to pay for treatment.

Loans for addiction treatment must be repaid with interest over the course of months or years, depending on terms, so it is essential to understand this difference from other forms of financial assistance when considering options.

This option should be a last resort and there should be a repayment plan in place before taking one out to ensure you don’t fall behind on payments.

Specialized lenders

A small number of specialized lenders offer loans to individuals entering or completing treatment programs. The most prominent is My Treatment Lender, which can finance co-pays, out-of-pocket expenses for rehabilitation, or an individual’s stay at an in-patient or residential treatment center.

Specialized lenders have various loan programs available with different costs, repayment terms, and qualification guidelines. Because of these variations, those interested in a specialized loan should evaluate the terms of all available loans before applying and receiving funds.

Personal loans

Finally, personal loans may also be a viable resource for drug rehab assistance. These loans are unsecured, meaning collateral such as a vehicle or home is not necessary to back them. They also offer fixed interest rates and predictable monthly payments that can help make repayment easier in recovery.

Personal loan rates may be higher for individuals with lower credit scores, but many lenders allow for a cosigner. Having a family member or friend with a higher credit score cosign a personal loan application can increase your chances for approval and potentially lower interest rates, which affect the total cost of borrowing.

As with any financing agreement, be sure to read the fine print when getting a personal loan for drug rehab assistance. Take time to understand your obligations as a borrower, as well as the fees you will pay to get the loan and repay it over time.

Author: Melissa Horton

Melissa Horton has an MBA in Finance and has worked as a financial professional for the past 13 years, helping clients understand the often complex vehicles available for both lending and investment needs. She is passionate about financial literacy and strives to educate clients and the general public to empower them in making smart financial decisions. Her work has been featured on Investopedia, iGrad, APRFinder, and more.

Larry Minikes 2/28/19 Larry Minikes 2/28/19

Drug & Alcohol Addiction Support Groups

Submitted By:

Pinnacle Peak Recovery

866.954.0524
info@pinnaclepeakrecovery.com
8070 East Morgan Trail
Suite 200
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

https://www.pinnaclepeakrecovery.com/drug-alcohol-addiction-support-groups/

Support groups for all types of addictions allow people to join together with others who share similar experiences, backgrounds, and struggles. Drug and alcohol substance abuse groups are helpful whether you are interested in a support group as a first step in your journey to recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction or if you want to participate in a group to remain sober and help newer members.

There are hundreds of support groups full of compassionate members around the United States for you to consider. People who live in rural areas or prefer to not leave home to get help from peers have the option of joining many online communities that will be happy to welcome you as a member. There are general groups for any kind of addiction, for specific substance recoveries, for people who are religious or non-religious, and more, so no matter your circumstances and background, there is a community waiting to help you live a happy, healthy, sober life.

Use these menus to jump directly to the groups of interest to you:

National Substance Addiction Support Groups

Addiction Support Groups by Substance

Drug & Alcohol Addiction Hotlines

In the event of an immediate crisis, call 911 for emergency services.

Boys Town National Hotline

This hotline for young men and young women is available every minute of each year to help children and youth who are struggling with a variety of issues.

800-448-3000 | Website

Crystal Meth Anonymous 24 Hour Helpline

If you are struggling with an addiction to crystal meth, this 24/7 hotline will help you or your loved one, connect you with resources, and more.

855-638-4373 | Email

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline

While the GLBT hotline isn’t just for help with drug and alcohol addiction, they can offer resources in this regard tailored specifically for the LGBT community. This hotline is available Monday through Friday, 4pm – 12am EST (1pm – 9pm PST) and Saturday from 12pm – 5pm EST (9am – 2pm PST).

888-843-4564 | Website | Email

National Drug Helpline

The National Drug Helpline is available 24/7, 365 days a year to assist anyone who has a substance abuse problem find help and treatment information.

866-236-1651 | Website

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (English & Spanish)

This hotline is available 24/7 every day of the year. Compassionate staff will help you find the resources you need to start your journey to recovery.

800-662-HELP (4357) | Website

Your Life Your Voice Hotline

In addition to their main hoteline, Your Life Your Voice from Boys Town also offers text (available 12pm to 12am CST), chat (available Monday through Friday, 6pm to 12am CST), and email support (available anytime for responses within 48 hours) for pre-teens, teenagers, and young adults.

800-448-3000 | Text VOICE to 20121 | Chat | Website | Email Contact Form

Online Drug & Alcohol Addiction Support Groups

5th Dimension Online Alcoholics Anonymous Group

An online Alcoholics Anonymous meeting specifically for teens and young people that meets Monday and Wednesday evenings. The Wednesday meetings are translated by an ASL interpreter. They also have a secret Facebook group where you can interact with other members.

Find an Online Meeting | Email

Al-Anon: Sharing Experience Strength & Hope Yahoo Group

An Al-Anon Yahoo Group for people who want to share their experiences with others who are in recovery.

Financial hardship is common among recovering addicts, but there are resources that provide financial aid for drug rehab. Individuals in recovery have access to grants, non-profit and private programs, personal funding, and insurance to manage the expense of rehab.

Financial aid for drug rehab

Health insurance and the ACA

Government grants for recovering addicts

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

State-funded and local treatment programs

VA benefits

Financial aid directly from treatment centers

Faith-based rehab programs

National Foundation for Credit Counseling

Crowdfunding

Drug rehab loan

Specialized lenders

Personal loans

Author: Melissa Horton

Pinnacle Peak Recovery

Drug & Alcohol Addiction Hotlines

Online Drug & Alcohol Addiction Support Groups

Drug & Alcohol Addiction Support Groups with In-Person Meetings

Men’s Drug & Alcohol Addiction Support Groups

Women’s Drug & Alcohol Addiction Support Groups

LGBT Drug & Alcohol Addiction Support Groups

Teen Drug & Alcohol Addiction Support Groups

Veteran Drug & Alcohol Addiction Support Groups

Religious Drug & Alcohol Addiction Support Groups

Secular Drug & Alcohol Addiction Support Groups

Alcohol Addiction Support Groups

Cocaine & Crack Addiction Support Groups

Heroin & Opiates Addiction Support Groups