LGBT Drug Treatment Costs

LGBT drug treatment costs can run the gamut from free to thousands of dollars for a one-month stay in residential programs. However, many of the residential drug treatment  facilities incorporate higher and wider levels of care into their treatment offerings, from detoxification services to aftercare support. Additionally, many inpatient drug treatment programs offer higher levels of expertise in treating LGBT patients, both in exhibiting tolerance and in addressing community-specific addiction issues. However, the financial concerns surrounding obtaining inpatient drug treatment can prove daunting at the outset of treatment. Fortunately, there are ways to offset drug treatment costs by leveraging resources available to those in the LGBT community.

Affording LGBT Drug Treatment Costs

Here are a few of the ways in which LGBT individuals can gain financial support for the inpatient residential drug treatment programs of their choosing. From leveraging insurance support to simply approaching loved ones for help, LGBT drug treatment can be made affordable. Moreover, despite the costs associated with LGBT drug treatment, successful achievement of sobriety remains an investment – in the physical, psychological and financial future of patients seeking treatment.

• Family Support
  For many LGBT individuals embarking on drug addiction treatment, familial financial support is elusive. In many cases, estrangement already present due to the addicted individual’s sexual orientation is only exacerbated by the isolation and sigma associated with drug addiction. However, for some LGBT individuals, seeking familial support – while a frightening prospect – may be a welcome and surprising experience. Particularly in cases where one’s family of origin has exhibited tolerance and support, reaching out to family members to help subsidize the initial costs of drug addiction rehabilitation can allow many in the LGBT community to access the recovery solutions they need.
• Insurance Coverage
  Most health insurance policies – whether state-run or private – will provide coverage for drug addiction treatment. Often covering inpatient stays at residential drug treatment programs, insurance can help LGBT individuals afford the costs associated with drug detoxification, ongoing counseling and any prescriptions necessary for rehabilitation. Partnering with a care coordinator at your insurance company can help you navigate the logistical processes involved with insurance-covered drug addiction recovery centers.
• Employer Assistance
  In some cases, employers will also help cover the costs of drug addiction rehabilitation for employees. Check your company handbook or with your human resources professional to learn the company policy on drug use and addiction and inquire as to whether or not treatment options may be partially or wholly covered. In some cases, acquiring paid – or unpaid – time off in order to enter a residential inpatient drug addiction treatment plan may also help alleviate long-term financial concerns.
• Sliding Scale or Payment Plans
  Some residential drug rehabilitation facilities offer ways for LGBT patients to better afford the costs of a treatment stay. These options can involve sliding scale fees adjusted to income level, payment or financing plans that involve no- or low- interest levels, or scholarships (though these tend to be fewer and farther between). Inquire if the LGBT drug addiction treatment center you have selected offers any of these options to ease the financial burden as you enter drug addiction recovery.