Do Free Inpatient Drug Rehab Centers Really Exist?

It is possible to find a free drug or alcohol rehab program.

Free inpatient drug rehab centers do exist. As they are necessary to many people who do not have the money to enter expensive rehab centers, free inpatient centers are an important resource for recovery.

Why Choose Inpatient Drug Rehab?

Inpatient drug rehab is often essential for many patients’ recoveries. While outpatient centers provide most of the same treatment options, inpatient facilities put patients in a more secure, controlled environment. This is especially beneficial to people who:

• Exhibit drug-seeking behavior
• Live alone or do not have the support of family and friends
• Will experience debilitating or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms
• Need privacy or protection during their rehab
• Need extra help overcoming their addictions

According to an NCBI study, “patients with high psychiatric severity and/or a poor support system are predicted to have a better outcome in inpatient treatment.” It is for these reasons that inpatient rehab is extremely necessary for some patients’ recoveries.

Inpatient Rehab Expenses

Rehab centers that provide inpatient care are expensive to run. Patients stay overnight for a period that usually lasts up to three months and can sometimes be longer. These facilities must provide meals, rooms, therapy, and medication. Often, other classes are provided to patients (ex. vocational and nutrition classes) depending on the addiction. Some inpatient centers are more luxurious than others, and this is why these facilities often become so expensive. For someone who is severely addicted to a substance, these treatments should be (and are) available at the most basic level: a place that allows a patient to work through withdrawal and recovery in a controlled environment under 24-hour care.

Finding Free Inpatient Facilities

Many free inpatient facilities are run by the government or by non-profit organizations. They are high in demand because many people need these services, and they are also few and far between. Therefore, finding one can be difficult. Here are some ways you can search for these centers:

• Research online. There are many websites with listings of different facilities and most inpatient treatment centers have websites of their own.
• Visit SAMHSA‘s treatment facility locator. Here you can find a list of treatment centers based on their proximity to you as well as the services they provide and whether they may be free or work on a sliding payment scale.
• Visit a free clinic in your area and discuss your needs with the staff there. They will likely be able to help you find an free or low-cost inpatient facility that is close by.

Even if you are having trouble finding an inpatient facility near you, you can always relocate to one a bit farther away. Travel expenses can make it difficult, but it is sometimes worth it for someone to be able to receive the kind of treatment he or she needs.

The NIDA states that “effective treatment attends to the multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her drug abuse.” After all, the most important part of rehab is that the facility and treatments chosen are the ones which are best for the patient. Someone who needs access to free inpatient care should be able to have it. It may take research and time, but it is often worth the extra work.