How to Find Financial Help for a Family Member Needing Rehab

Quality rehabilitation for substance abusers usually involves intensive one-on-one therapy and group counseling every day for at least 30 days. It can be expensive -- for many people, even prohibitively so. If your family member needs rehab and doesn't have the money or insurance to pay for it, you can turn to private and public funding sources. Searching for the best treatment for a family member may require persistence, patience and numerous phone calls.

Religious Groups

• Various religious organizations provide rehabilitation free of charge or at a greatly reduced charge. Although many require that your family member be a practicing member of the particular denomination, others offer assistance with no requirement other than a commitment to work the program. Treatment is based on the spirituality and religious tenets of the organization and usually combines faith with traditional drug and alcohol education and counseling methods. Call religious organizations and churches in your area to locate available services for your family member. Additionally, Alcoholics Anonymous or other Twelve Step groups may have information about free programs.

Government-Supported Programs

• Contact your city, county or state mental health organizations, as many government-supported, community mental health programs offer rehabilitation on a sliding scale that's based on financial need. Treatment is generally high quality, provided by trained, licensed counselors and therapists. Your family member's medical provider, if she has one, may know about available program options.

Requesting Assistance From Family and Friends

• Family members and friends with financial resources may be willing to help out with treatment expenses in the form of either loans or outright gifts, especially if your loved one is committed to completing rehabilitation. It usually works best for family and friends to pay the money directly to the rehab provider, which eliminates the temptation of the abuser to use the money for drugs or alcohol.

Funding at Rehabilitation Centers

• Most rehabilitation centers strive to develop affordable packages that are paid back after treatment is completed. Financing options may include programs that originate directly from the treatment center or lending packages provided by banks or other third-party lenders. Some rehab centers offer full or partial scholarships that are provided by the center or by charities or other outside sources. Each rehabilitation center is different, so learning about various options requires phone calls to each facility's finance department. Once you have narrowed the possibilities, you and your family member should visit the facility for a sit-down meeting.

Employee Assistance Programs

• Many employers offer employee assistance programs, or EAPs, free of charge for eligible employees who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. The program is voluntary and may provide confidential assessments, treatment and counseling. However, some employers may refer an employee to EAP because of job performance or disciplinary problems that result from substance abuse. In this case, a supervisor may monitor the progress of treatment and the employee's job performance. Encourage your family member to speak to her company's human resources director.

Insurance

• If your family member has insurance, either private or provided through work, coverage may include rehab for drug and alcohol addiction or other mental health issues. Your family member should call his insurance provider to determine exact coverage, as policies may pay all or a portion of treatment expenses. Loans or other types of funding may be needed to cover the gap between the cost of treatment and what insurance will pay. Most rehab facilities will also accept Medicaid.