Alcohol is, for most people, something enjoyed in moderation. It plays a huge part of modern society here in the UK, and most adults drink it to some extent. While it may never be more of a problem than an occasional hangover for most, for others it can be a substance that consumes their life. When alcohol use does become a problem, treatment will usually be needed to turn things around. But who pays for alcohol treatment when it is needed? This is a question that many people ask.
Who Funds the Cost of Alcohol Treatment?
Many individuals are aware that they need help for an alcohol addiction, but their worry about who pays for alcohol treatment might be holding them back from reaching out. They may believe that alcohol treatment is only available to the rich and famous and because of this they will have to continue to suffer in silence.
The reality is that here in the UK, there are many options when it comes to alcohol treatment and not all of them involve a cost. Yes, private clinics do involve a fee but there are free options available too.
Alcohol treatment is available through the NHS and if you do choose this option, you will not be expected to pay for your treatment. You may also find that there are charity organisations local to you that also provide free or heavily subsidised programmes. At the end of the day, the options are there.
Why Choose Private Treatment?
While there are free options available for alcohol treatment, you might still want to consider a private clinic due to being keen to get started on a recovery programme right away. Most people will first consider reaching out to their GP for help, who will then usually refer them to their local treatment centre.
What many affected individuals do not realise about NHS and charity-based services is that they may have to wait for many months before that first appointment as the programmes are in such high demand that they struggle to keep up. In the meantime, the addict will continue to abuse alcohol and by the time a place becomes available, he or she might have had a change of heart about getting help.
With a private clinic, these issues do not exist. There are not the same restrictions placed on clinics that are privately funded. They are not relying on government handouts or fundraising efforts, so they tend not to be limited in what they can offer. But the downside of these programmes for most people is the fact that there is a cost involved, and it can initially appear quite expensive.
Paying for Private Treatment
The issue of who pays for alcohol treatment is one that many individuals worry about though. They might really want to access a programme of care in a private clinic but worry that they cannot afford the cost involved. The average cost of a 4-week programme in a residential clinic can come in between £4,000 and £13,000, which is a huge amount of money for most people. When you consider that there are many clinics that actually charge more than this, it is no surprise that you might think that you cannot afford to get help for your addiction.
Nevertheless, it is important to look at things from a different perspective. Yes, private treatment is expensive, but for the price, you will be getting around-the-clock care and support from a team of multi-disciplined individuals with experience in helping people just like you overcome their devastating illnesses. You will stay in the clinic for the duration of your treatment and will receive healthy and nutritional meals while there. You might have access to state-of-the-art facilities that could include a gym and swimming pool, and all of this will be included in the price.
Think of a rehab centre as being similar to a luxury hotel but without the alcohol. The price will include treatment from some of the best individuals in the field of addiction treatment. You will also have access seminars and workshops that will provide you with the essential skills for your return to everyday life.
The Benefits of Paying for Treatment
If you are still on the fence about paying for treatment, you should consider how much your addiction is costing you right now, both financially and socially. You are likely spending quite a bit of money on funding your addiction at the moment. If you do not seek help, that amount will just continue to rise as the addiction progresses.
If you allow your addiction to spiral out of control, you could get to a point where you are unable to perform well at work, which could then leave you without an income to fund your addiction. You will then need to try to find alternative ways of getting the money you need to buy alcohol. This might mean borrowing, or even stealing, from friends or loved ones. You might even get desperate enough to commit other crimes to feed your habit.
Consider the cost of alcohol for a moment. You might be spending £4 to £6 on a bottle of wine. Think about how many bottles of wine you go through each week. Perhaps you don’t drink wine – maybe you drink beer or spirits. Whatever your choice of alcohol, the cost begins to mount up when you have an addiction that is getting worse with each passing day.
If you pay for a programme of treatment in a private clinic, you will be able to access it in a matter of hours. That means putting an end to your addiction once and for all. You will complete a seven-to-ten-day detox where you will quit alcohol and then be ready to start your programme of rehabilitation. In rehab you will learn how to live without alcohol.
Most people who pay for private treatment recoup the money they have paid within the first year. When they are no longer paying for alcohol, they can start saving the money. When they are stronger in their recovery, they might be able to look at improving their situation by looking for a promotion at work or even changing career completely, or returning to education.
Accessing a Treatment Programme
It is important to remember when considering the issue of who pays for alcohol treatment that you do have options. You can fund the cost of a private programme yourself or you can opt for a free programme and wait for a place.
When choosing a private programme, you may be able to use government funding if you are entitled to it; alternatively, you may find that the clinic offers payment plans that will help you spread the cost. Some individuals use crowdfunding websites to help them raise the money required to get their life back on track; you might be surprised at how effective this can actually be.
The type of programme that you choose is not as important as the decision to get help in the first place. This is the most crucial decision you could make as accessing a treatment programme now will help to change your life and the lives of those around you.
The longer you delay, the worse your illness will become. To talk to someone about your options, please get in touch with us here at Oasis Bradford today. We can provide helpful advice and information on our programmes and answer any questions that you may have. Please call to find out more about how we can help you.