While in an ideal world, drug and alcohol treatment would be provided to us as we need it, free of charge; we do not yet live in such a world.
We would all love to provide the best of treatment to our loved ones, but the reality is that drug treatment can get very expensive, and without adequate insurance coverage for drug treatment, the better private facilities may be out of financial reach to many of us.
The access to and perceived need for substance abuse coverage as a part of insurance packages has been increasing from almost no coverage offered decades ago, to full coverage in some contemporary plans. Government initiatives may mandate increasing coverage within mental health bills under current debate.
Drug treatment or drug rehab is an investment in a sober future, and since sober and productive living tends to improve a family's finances immeasurably, the investment into rehab often pays off in spades; but the initial cost burden can be a barrier to access.
Most comprehensive health insurance packages will allow for partial or even full funding of residential drug treatment. The degree of coverage varies dramatically, and many plans have both yearly and lifetime limits on coverage; which can be problematic for what is very often a chronic condition of relapse and recovery.
Page last updated Aug 05, 2010
