Alcohol addiction is an issue that many people across the UK deal with, although most finding themselves in the grip of this illness will struggle to accept their illness for what it is. It is extremely difficult to come to terms with an alcohol problem, mainly because of the perception that alcohol is a legal substance and one that is consumed by most adults in this country.
Furthermore, as there is such stigma surrounding addiction, most people do not want to accept that they are affected due to a fear of being judged by others. Many prefer to deny the problem and pretend that everything is okay; it is often easier to do this than to admit the truth and facing up to the harsh reality.
What you should know though is that alcohol addiction does not go away if it is ignored. What is far more likely to happen is that it will only get worse. You need help to get better and until you access it you will be unable to get your life under control once more. So, how much is alcohol treatment? And what type of treatment do you need?
Accepting the Problem
Before even considering the question of how much is alcohol treatment, it is important that you can accept your need for help. You need to be able to recognise that the problem exists in the first place, and this may be tough.
Think about your use of alcohol and how much control you have over it. Are you drinking more than you used to, for example? Do you drink even when you have promised yourself that you wouldn’t? Have you tried to quit but couldn’t because of unpleasant symptoms?
If you are struggling to quit alcohol because of the physical symptoms you experience whenever you stop drinking, you are likely to already be physically dependent on alcohol. This means that your body has learned to rely on alcohol and is struggling to cope without it.
Your alcohol use may have also been affecting your ability to live a normal life. It could be preventing you from taking care of your responsibilities at home and at work, and it may be impacting on your relationships. If you are aware of the harm that alcohol is causing to your life and to the lives of those around you, yet you feel compelled to drink anyway, it is highly likely that you have an addiction.
Addiction is classed as a pattern of behaviour that causes harm to the individual. Alcohol addiction is characterised by an overwhelming desire to drink, despite its negative consequences. If you are struggling to stop drinking once you start, then you are almost certainly need professional help to get better.
What Type of Treatment Is Best?
When it comes to alcohol treatment, you have several options to choose from:
Inpatient alcohol treatment takes place in private rehab centres. They are a structured and concentrated form of treatment and are ideal for those suffering from alcoholism.
Outpatient alcohol treatment are less intensive and take place in a day clinic. Patients do not need to stay overnight in outpatient clinics but are required to attend regular counselling sessions. These programmes are generally suited to those with less severe addictions as they will need to recover while also dealing with the issues of daily life.
Choosing between inpatient and outpatient programmes will be a matter for you to decide based on your own individual needs and circumstances. Your preferences, the severity of your illness, your commitments at home and at work, and your budget will all need to be considered before you choose.
Do You Have to Pay for Treatment?
As mentioned already, most inpatient programmes are provided by private clinics. What this means for you is that you will need to pay for this type of programme. But exactly how much is alcohol treatment?
Private clinics charge varying amounts, so it is not possible to tell exactly how much you will pay without knowing who will be providing your care and how long of a programme you are going to need.
Inpatient programmes tend to run on average for between four and six weeks for most people. Nevertheless, there are instances where a longer programme might be required. For example, if you are dealing with an alcohol addiction as well as an addiction to another substance such as a prescription medication or an illegal drug, both issues will need to be dealt with simultaneously. This will make your treatment more complex and you may consequently require a longer stay. The same is true if you are dealing with an alcohol addiction coupled with a mental health problem.
If you are struggling to cope with the treatment programme and are not responding as expected to treatment, your programme may need to be extended slightly. The good thing about rehab programmes these days is that they are tailored around the individual. This means that they can be easily changed if necessary. While your programme might have to be adjusted slightly, which could impact the length of the programme, it is unlikely to make a major difference.
An average four-week programme in an inpatient programme here in the UK will cost somewhere between £4,000 and £13,000. Having said that, prices can vary quite a bit depending on the facility in question. Some will charge less than this, but others will charge a lot more. State-of-the-art clinics with luxurious accommodation usually charge a higher price.
What you should know though is that paying more for treatment does not necessarily mean getting better care – it just means you will stay in a nicer clinic. You should also know that there are free options available in the UK too, so you do not have to pay for treatment.
What Are Your Other Options?
If the issue of how much is alcohol treatment is one that has been preventing you from reaching out for help, then you need to know about these free options too. The NHS and charity organisations provide free outpatient programmes to help those struggling with addiction to alcohol.
These programmes are in high demand though, so you could have to wait before you can access a programme of care. It is likely that you might have a wait of a number of weeks or even months before your initial consultation. For some individuals, this is the biggest advantage of paying for treatment. The fact that most private clinics can offer admission within twenty-four hours is part of their appeal.
How to Access Treatment
If you are keen to get started on a programme of rehabilitation for alcohol addiction, you will probably need to consider an inpatient programme provided by a private clinic. Nonetheless, if you are happy to wait, you can access a treatment programme without having to pay.
You can speak to your doctor for help accessing an NHS-run programme, or you can self-refer to your local alcohol treatment service. Your doctor may also be able to provide information about programmes run by local charities. There are also a few online information databases that will have information and details of the options available in your area.
If you are considering inpatient treatment, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us here at Recovery Lighthouse. We will have all the answers to your questions and provide more information on the cost of treatment.