How to find Free Rehabs Near Me?

What Are Free Rehab Centers? 

For some individuals, the cost of rehab is one of the most common obstacles to getting treatment. Nearly one-third of those who wanted but did not obtain addiction treatment cited a lack of health insurance or a financial inability to pay for treatment.¹ Many of these people would benefit from free drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

That is why SAMHSA conducted a nationwide survey in 2018 to assess how many addiction treatment facilities provide free care and 14,809 facilities around the country responded. The survey results showed that 45% of those who responded said they offered free or low-cost treatment for people who couldn’t afford rehab. Private facilities accounted for nearly a quarter of these rehabs.²

Furthermore, 58% of facilities said they have a sliding fee scale, which means people would pay whatever amount they could afford.² Although not all drug treatment centers are able to provide free addiction treatment options, free and low-cost programs do exist.

What are the types of Free Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs? 

Free drug rehab programs strive to help individuals who need professional help with substance abuse but do not have the financial means to seek drug or alcohol treatment. These programs are available across the nation and provide medical services to help people struggling with substance abuse disorder (SUD) to recover. The following are some of the different forms of free addiction treatment facilities:

What are Government Funded Free Rehab Programs?

People struggling with an addiction can access a variety of free government-funded rehabilitation services.  These include programs provided at state-funded treatment centers and federally funded facilities, such as hospitals and recovery centers that are managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).³

SAMHSA also offers grants to public and private non-profit recovery centers to directly fund the expenses of free alcohol and drug treatment for those who cannot afford it.⁴

What are Non-Profit Free Drug Rehabilitation Centers

Many non-profit organizations either run rehabilitation centers or provide funds to facilities that provide free drug rehab to those in need. These non-profits also provide support to individuals who are struggling with addiction, spread awareness, and advocate for supportive legislation.

Many nonprofit organizations specialize in offering care and rehabilitation services to vulnerable populations. The following are a few of these organizations: To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA), Gearing Up, The Amy Winehouse Foundation, Phoenix House, Rosecrance, and many others.

What Is Faith-Based Free Rehab Programs?

Several faith-based organizations provide free drug and alcohol rehab that incorporate religious principles. However, many of these programs do not require participants to adhere to certain religious values. Individuals struggling with addiction seek support from a higher power to help them remain strong during their healing process in this form of treatment programs.⁵ Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are two of the most well-known substance abuse recovery programs for addicts with a strong religious outlook.

These free support groups follow a 12-step program that includes:⁶

• Acknowledging your powerlessness.
• Accepting that you can only be helped by a Higher Power.
• Giving your will and your life to God.
• Doing a moral evaluation.
• Accepting responsibility for your mistakes.
• Being willing to let God remove your weaknesses.
• Making amends to all who have been hurt.
• Prayer and meditation as a way to improve your conscious contact with God.
• Spreading the word.

One of the largest faith-based addiction recovery facilities in the United States is operated by the Salvation Army. This faith-based organization currently operates 119 adult recovery facilities throughout the country that provide spirituality-based residential alcohol and drug treatment programs.⁷

All these free programs typically offer accommodation, group and individual therapy, spiritual guidance, employment, and learning life-coping skills.

What Is Included in Free Drug Rehab Programs?

Free drug rehab can range from inpatient treatment to basic outpatient medical care, depending on the provider and funding sources. State-funded programs are more likely to provide a full range of treatment options, including detox programs and interventions, though they may not have access to the most cutting-edge treatment technologies or treatment center amenities that certain private programs may have.8

Despite the fact that these state services are typically more likely to provide more basic or traditional rehab settings, they also offer comprehensive care and significant post-treatment care.

What are the Pros and Cons of Free Detox and Rehab Centers?

When deciding whether to undergo treatment at a free drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, it’s important to consider both benefits and possible drawbacks.

What Are the Benefits of Free Addiction Treatment Centers?

The cost of treatment is a major benefit of free recovery facilities. Since these facilities offer drug and alcohol rehab for free, people who would otherwise be unable to afford rehab can get the care and help they need.

Free treatment centers often provide their services in a secure setting that isolates program participants from the outside world, which is a vital aspect that ensures protection and encourages rehabilitation.⁹

Another benefit of free treatment centers is the opportunity to access services that are run by qualified, caring, and properly trained professionals. The experienced workers at free treatment facilities can, for the most part, offer quality care using proven approaches and evidence-based behavioral therapies.⁹

What Are the Disadvantages of Free Addiction Treatment Centers?

Even though free rehab centers are an important resource for many people suffering from addiction, there are some disadvantages to these programs, especially when compared to the care and services provided by paid rehabilitation facilities.

• Free rehabilitation centers may not use the most up-to-date addiction science technologies. Instead, they may rely on traditional approaches that may not be as successful as the most recent therapies in private facilities.⁸
• Many free treatment centers are unable to meet the high demand for their services. As a result, the majority of free treatment facilities are almost always full. Also, another disadvantage is a lack of obligation. That means that people with substance abuse disorders who attend free or state-funded recovery services normally do so voluntarily. However, it is important to know that treatment can be successful even if users are not there voluntarily.⁹
• Free recovery services have a significant disadvantage in the form of waiting lists. People who undergo addiction treatment after being on a waiting list have worse treatment outcomes than those who receive treatment right away. A delayed start to treatment can lead to more severe addiction and an increased risk of medical issues like an overdose.¹⁰
• Another downside to free rehabilitation is the scarcity of treatment options and amenities. Despite the obvious advantage when it comes to the cost, these programs may typically offer basic treatment and limited services. This is particularly true when compared to personalized treatment plans, modern facilities, and a wide range of luxury amenities available at private rehab centers.

Who Qualifies for Free Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs?

Most states provide support for drug and alcohol recovery programs through public mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities, making addiction treatment more available.

Individuals without insurance and income can typically access these facilities and their services. However, patients may need to qualify for free addiction treatment by demonstrating that they meet the following criteria:⁷

• Official residence in the state
• Lack of insurance and income
• Legal residence in the United States
• The severity of the addiction and the need for treatment

Depending on the state, there might be some other criteria before a person is accepted into a free drug or alcohol rehab program. If the state determines that the client is unable to pay after gathering all the necessary information, they may offer treatment on different levels through various types of centers or treatment facilities.

How To Go to Drug and Alcohol Rehab at Low Cost?

There are other ways to receive funding that can reduce the cost of alcohol and drug rehabilitation if it is not available for free, if a person does not qualify for free drug and alcohol rehab, or if they require a treatment type that is not available for free. You can find free treatment options at https://findtreatment.gov/.

There are many ways to get free drug and alcohol addiction help:

Scholarships or Grants for Low-Cost Drug and Alcohol Rehab

When looking for a treatment facility, it’s always a good idea to ask about any scholarships or grants that may be available for low-income individuals. Some rehab facilities offer grants or scholarships to help cover the cost of attending. However, not all of these will cover the entire stay and some may withdraw funding if a patient does not complete the program. Before accepting any grants or scholarships, ensure to inquire about any possible conditions regarding the financing options.¹¹

How to Pay for Drug Rehab with Insurance?

Many kinds of insurance cover the cost of addiction treatment and rehab. Insurance providers must fund mental health and substance abuse treatment programs to the same degree as they cover all healthcare services under the Affordable Care Act. The ACA requires at least partial coverage of these programs for individuals with private insurance or those insured through their employers. However, keep in mind that the policies may not cover the whole cost of the treatment.¹²

Loans and Financing Options for Low-Cost Addiction Treatment

Not all insurance plans can cover all required medical facilities, and some rehabilitation programs may be self-pay only, meaning they do not consider insurance as a means of payment. Other than insurance, there are many other options for financing treatment programs, including private loans and payment plans.¹³

Sliding Scale Treatment for Low-Cost Rehab

Sliding scale treatment is a type of treatment that is priced according to a person’s income and dependents. This fee structure was created to make treatment more accessible for low-income individuals.¹⁴

Friends and Family Financial Support For Drug Rehab Programs

Patients who cannot afford treatment may consider reaching out to their family and friends for support or personal loan. This is also an opportunity to involve loved ones in treatment recovery and strengthen social support.

Admission navigators at American Addiction Centers can check insurance coverage for you or your loved one if you decide to reach out. All you have to do is fill out the required information on the form to find out whether you’re in the network or not.

One of the easiest ways to get information about addiction, treatment, and rehabilitation is to call our hotline. While you’re on the phone, a representative will assist you, answer any questions you may have, and check your benefits.