Tag: Residential

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What Are Track Marks And How To Spot Them

Track marks are wounds formed after injecting something into the skin, a common sign of intravenous drug use. They often appear down the forearms and look like small circular wounds with bruising, bleeding, and festering. With the effects of addiction and repeated injections, it often takes track marks longer to heal. Track marks can also get contaminated by unclean needles and dirt, leading to conditions like HIV, syphilis, AIDS, infections, and more. 

What Is The Medical Term for Track Marks?

Medically, track marks are known as venipuncture marks1 since they occur after a needle is stuck into a vein. You may also hear them called needle marks, puncture marks, or injection marks. 

Substances can be injected into the veins or the top layers of skin, called skin popping. Injecting directly into the veins takes effect almost immediately, while skin popping takes effect more gradually. 

What Causes Track Marks?

Repeated injections that don’t heal cause track marks. Unclean needles, infection, and a compromised ability to heal wounds (from addictive substances) lead to track marks.

Which Drugs Are Known to Cause Track Marks?

Any injectable drug can cause track marks, but they’re most often associated with heroin. Other drugs include cocaine, meth, prescription opioids, and prescription stimulants, along with designer drugs and psychedelics. If it can be injected, it can leave track marks.

What Do Track Marks Look Like?

Characteristics of New Track Marks

Track marks look like circular wounds, ranging from a pinhead to dime-sized. They often itch and look red and irritated. Bruises and redness often accompany track marks. So, you may see purplish or yellowish discoloration, plus red scabby wounds. If infected, you’ll likely see pus and a streak of redness moving away from the wound.

Characteristics of Old Track Marks

Healed track marks look like a small, puckered white or light pink scar tissue circle. The scars can look darker, smoother, or more textured depending on skin tones and healing.

Common Places Track Marks Appear

Track marks often appear near the crook of the arm and the forearm, like where you get your blood drawn. This area is easily accessible, though more visible. Because of the visibility, and running out of space, track marks can appear on other areas of the body.

Track Marks on Arms

On arms, track marks can look like small circular wounds. The edges may look pink and scabby. Redness and bruising around the site is also common. The wounds often follow a line down the forearm (‘tracking’ a vein).

Track Marks on Feet

Track marks on the feet look similar, like red splotchy wounds with discoloration and potentially signs of infection or festering. Someone may inject drugs into their feet to hide track marks (with their shoes). Sweat and friction can make track marks on feet more likely to not heal, become infected, and hurt.

Track Marks on Legs

Leg track marks look the same, like red, irritated wounds in a cluster or line down the leg. The track marks will likely follow a line down the femur or calf. The upper thigh may be a preferred injection site since there’s more muscle, and it can be easier to hide with clothes.

Track Marks on Hands

Track marks on hands can be the easiest to spot and the hardest to heal without infection. Hands come into contact with all types of germs and move almost constantly, making healing more difficult. Track marks on hands can look more ‘angry’ and inflamed with bruising and redness around the small circular wound.

How Long Do Track Marks Last?

Track marks can take a long time to heal as the body tries to adapt to addiction and its common effects, like malnourishment, dehydration, and other dysfunctions. Reinjecting into the injection site also makes it harder for track marks to heal since the needle and general activity in that area reopens wounds. Infections can slow down healing, too.

It can take a few days to weeks for track mark wounds to completely close. Then, they might leave needle scars. Scars can fade over time, especially when you keep them protected from the sun and friction. They won’t go away completely but can become less noticeable.

Do Track Marks Go Away?

Some needle marks may go away completely if they’re well taken care of during healing and if no more injections open up the wounds. A body free from addictive substances is more likely to heal track marks. 

As is more often the case, people with substance use disorders inject repeatedly. They may frequent a certain body part, like their forearm, and develop a cluster of track marks. Reinjecting opens healing wounds and starts the process over. Reinjecting also makes scarring more likely.  

The more healing measures taken right away, the more likely track marks will close up and heal with minimal scarring or none at all.

What Are The Risks of IV Drug Use and Track Marks?

The risks of IV drug use broadly include:

  • Infection
  • Abscesses
  • Blood-borne diseases like HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, syphilis, and malaria
  • Scarring
  • Blood clots due to collapsed veins
  • Itching
  • Pain and tenderness in the area
  • Overdose
  • Death

Unclean/shared needles can pass blood-borne pathogens and cause infection. Some harm-reduction programs supply IV drug users with clean needles2 and education on addiction to lower these risks. But the best way to mitigate risk completely is to stop substance use, which addiction treatment centers can help with.

How Do People Hide Track Marks?

People often hide track marks with clothing, bandages, or even tattoos (over scars, not fresh). Someone hiding track marks may wear unseasonable clothes, like long sleeves in the summer. Avoiding social interactions and becoming reclusive is another common way to hide track marks.

What to Do if Someone You Love Has Track Marks?

If you notice your loved one has track marks, you can first assess if they need immediate medical treatment. Check if the wounds look infected: red, radiating heat, leaking pus, or a trail of red leading from the wound. It may also have abscesses that need draining. If they need medical attention, you can take them to urgent care or the emergency room. 

Depending on their needs, the staff at the urgent care center or emergency room will bandage and clean their wounds, then begin the detox process or refer the patient to detox.

If they don’t need medical attention, you can have an honest and compassionate conversation with your loved one. Here’s a few things you can ask to gauge how they’re doing and their willingness to attend treatment:

  1. “How long have you been injecting drugs?”
  2. “What drug have you been using?”
  3. “Have you ever tried to stop? How did that go?”
  4. “I can help you find a treatment center. Are you ready to start treatment?”

If they are ready and willing for treatment, you can use Recovery.com to find a range of recovery services, including detox and inpatient, to fit their needs. A clinical assessment from your loved one’s primary doctor or a medical professional at the treatment center determines if they’ll need to detox, or if they can start therapeutic work right away.

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Addiction vs. Habit: What’s the Difference?

Do either of these sound like a true addiction, something that has the power to disrupt lives? Cause death, even?

“I’m addicted to these chocolates! I buy them without even thinking about it.” 

“I’m so addicted to watching my TV show at night! I love ending my day with TV!”

“I got so addicted to having a latte in the morning! I can’t imagine life without it now!”

These proclamations align more with habits, which are activities practiced regularly and usually without much thought. Think of brushing your teeth, wiping your shoes on the mat before stepping inside, or turning the lights off before you leave the house. 

Correctly identifying a habit versus an addiction can help you understand your potential need for treatment and empathetically communicate with others.

Addiction and Habits Defined

So a habit and an addiction aren’t the same thing—Why? What are they?

What Is a Habit?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a habit1 as ”an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary.” In some contexts, the word habit can appear synonymous with addiction, but they differ quite drastically. Swapping one for the other can inadvertently cloud the truth of an addiction and the effects it can have.

Examples of habits include:

  • Having a cup of coffee in the morning
  • Talking evening walks
  • Reading before bed
  • Meditating
  • Making your bed 

If needed, you can choose to not do a habit. Though doing it may come instinctually, you could stop with some conscious effort. Even if it feels a bit weird or uncomfortable, it doesn’t cause physical withdrawal symptoms or consume your thoughts. 

What Is Addiction?

Addiction is a “chronic, relapsing disorder2 characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.” The medical community defines addiction as a brain disorder, since it changes the brain circuits related to self-control, reward, and stress. Even after someone stops taking drugs (including alcohol), these brain changes persist.

At first, someone usually has control over their substance use and chooses to initiate it. But once the self-control aspects of their brain become impaired, so does their ability to control their compulsions and cravings. 

Some people are more at risk of developing an addiction2 than others. For example, one person can take or leave an alcoholic drink, while another may try a drink once and feel an immediate draw to the substance, until it becomes essential. Several risk factors, like genetic predispositions, childhood abuse, and influential environments, make repeated use and addiction more likely. 

Examples of addiction include:

Addiction primarily differs from a habit in that stopping has consequences. Many people who try to stop experience withdrawals, which are physical and mental reactions to not having the substance3. Someone with an alcohol addiction, for example, may experience tremors and sickness if they try to stop—even seizures and death. 

Characteristics of Habits and Addictions

Habits and addictions form differently and have distinct characteristics that set them apart. 

Formation and Development

You’ve probably heard the adage: “It takes 21 days to build a habit.” In reality, the timeline differs from person to person and depends on how much effort they put into solidifying their habit. All habits form through repetition4 and the positive reinforcement they bring. Habits become automatically followed formulas in your brain with triggers, actions, and results. For example, going to your bathroom sink after showering triggers the action of brushing your teeth. You get clean teeth and better dental health as a result, which reinforces the action.

Addictions form differently. They may start voluntarily2, like winding down for bed with a glass of wine. But as the circuits and functioning in your brain change, and your tolerance to the substance builds, your voluntary enjoyment becomes compulsive. Self-control fades. You need more and more of the substance to get the feelings you want. Your body can grow dependent on the substance too, leading to painful and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop or cut back.

Control and Consciousness

You can stop a habit at-will. Could you imagine going through painful withdrawals or intense emotional angst if you didn’t make your bed in the morning? You could stop any habit and, usually, suffer only mild inconveniences or discomfort. Conscious effort and practice are all you need to break a habit.

Addiction requires more than conscious effort plus a desire to stop. Even though you may know and feel the negative effects on your life, the urge to take substances overrides all reasoning. You could decide to stop and throw out all your substances but find yourself buying more a day later. Life without the substance seems scary and unmanageable—much different than a life without taking your shoes off before going inside.

Impact on Daily Life

Making your bed, brushing your teeth, and taking a shower all have positive impacts on your life. You give yourself a cleaner space, you improve your oral health, and you take care of your hygiene—all good things. Some habits may have no tangible effect on your life, like checking your phone in the morning. Habits also differ person-to-person, affecting their lives differently depending on their personalities and ways of living.

Addiction often has a devastating impact across the board. You may spend more time and money procuring and consuming substances, leading to job loss and financial crises. Your actions under influence could sever relationships, leading to divorce or being cut off from loved ones. In dire cases, substances and the actions people take when impaired can lead to legal consequences and death.

Psychological and Biological Factors

Both a habit and an addiction affect your brain, but addiction has a stronger impact.

Brain Chemistry

Both habits and addiction come from neurotransmitters traveling through certain pathways in the brain. The positive results of habits (like saving money by shutting off your lights) reinforces them, much like the positive feelings from substances can reinforce their use. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, drives this feel-good sensation5 and encourages you to repeat the action.

With substance use, these pleasant feelings and the release of dopamine increase tenfold. That’s what most drugs are meant and designed to do—make people feel good and enforce repetition. They send a rush of dopamine through your brain’s reward system6, telling you to do it again because it has a positive result. As your brain adapts to the unnatural effects of the substance and overflow of dopamine, it learns to stop making its own. It becomes hard to feel pleasure any other way, causing cravings and urges to use the substance. 

Psychological Dependence

Once you become addicted to a substance, procuring and taking it can consume your thoughts and affect your mental state. You may feel emotionally reliant on it to relieve stress, discouragement, or boredom. A habit doesn’t consume your thoughts—even if you like doing it, it’s not an absolute necessity.

Physical Dependence

Taking less of a substance or stopping altogether can lead to withdrawals, which is why many people in treatment need professional detox services. Depending on the substance and how long you’ve been taking it, withdrawal can include symptoms like7:

  • Tremors
  • Headache
  • Irritability
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Insomnia
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures

If you don’t make your bed in the morning, you know it won’t make you throw up or have a seizure. That’s another way habits and addictions vary.

Behavioral and Social Implications

Seeing someone pull out their phone in a slow checkout line doesn’t come as a surprise; you probably wouldn’t even notice it. But what if they took out a liter of vodka, or shook pills into their hands? 

Social Acceptance

Habits are generally accepted and encouraged—online, you can find almost endless lists of suggested habits and books dedicated to building healthy habits. Addiction is met with stigma and seen negatively by the public. Those with addiction often hide their behaviors to avoid consequences and the stigma surrounding addiction.

Conversely, telling a friend you meditate with your morning cup of coffee would likely garner admiration and respect, casting you in a positive light. 

Behavioral Flexibility

Integrating new habits, or stopping one, usually just takes a bit of focus and effort. They can become part of your routine in just a few days or weeks. Stopping an addiction, however, isn’t nearly so simple. It often requires professional help and detox services to safely undergo withdrawals. It can take months or years to mentally, physically, and spiritually recover.

Recognition and Diagnosis

How do you know if something you do is an innocent habit or problematic behavior?

Identifying Habits

Perhaps the easiest way to identify a habit vs. an addiction is to stop doing it and see how it feels. Do you think about it all the time and feel distressed? Do you feel sick not doing it?

You can also ask yourself how your life changes, positively or negatively, if you cut out the activity. Are you happier, are your loved ones happier? Do your relationships improve? If you notice a positive change, that’s a good sign your habit may have been a problematic behavior or an addiction.

Diagnosing Addiction

A medical professional diagnoses addiction; the information provided here or anywhere else online isn’t a diagnosis. But you can use online resources to identify your concerns and acknowledge your need for professional help. An overview of the diagnostic criteria for an addiction8 is as follows: 

  1. Substance use becomes out of control, where you take more than intended and can’t cut back, despite wanting to.
  2. Craving the substance.
  3. Spending significant time getting the substance, taking it, and recovering from its effects (often in secret).
  4. Continuously taking the substance despite clear consequences at home, work, and socially.
  5. Substance use prevents you from fulfilling your obligations and responsibilities.

Treatment Approaches

Many treatment approaches can help you heal from addiction. Small behavioral changes and tips can help you break a habit, too.

Breaking a Habit

Several tricks and strategies can help you break habits like checking your phone when you feel bored, stressed, or need to pass the time. For example, you could leave sticky notes to remind you not to do something, limit your screen time, or sell/throw away the item to stop the habit.

Staying mindful of your behaviors and actions can also help you break a habit. You can modify habits with habit stacking4, which uses one habit (like brushing your teeth) as a launchpad for another (like checking your calendar afterward.)

Treating Addiction

Various treatment approaches for addiction offer healing to everyone. Generally, approaches include:

  1. Evidence-based
  2. Holistic
  3. Alternative

Personalized treatment plans usually blend these approaches to your specific needs so you can engage in evidence-based therapies, holistic services, and alternative treatments all together. 

Therapy is often the cornerstone of addiction treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Detox and medications also serve as important aspects of recovery, especially for more severe cases. In all stages of recovery, support groups can serve as an invaluable place to connect with others in recovery and build resilience.

Professional Help

Getting professional help for addiction is often vital to recovery. Many treatment professionals can help—your primary care physician may be the first step, who can then suggest next steps and refer you to other providers. This could mean you start inpatient treatment and detox, long-term residential treatment, outpatient levels of care, or therapy.

You’ll likely work with at least one therapist, along with medical professionals to manage withdrawal symptoms safely. You may also work with group therapists and providers specialized in trauma treatment, or another type of mental health condition.

Forming New Habits in Recovery

Addiction recovery often involves new habits, like dedicating time to attend support meetings, practicing self-care, and making time for your relationships. You may even add meditation, journaling, or exercise to your daily routine, too. New habits like these can strengthen your overall recovery and improve your quality of life.

Leverage the power of habits, now knowing how they come to be and how you can optimize your routines for your benefit.

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Finding Sobriety, Strength, and Hope as an “Alcoholic in Long-Term Recovery”

This week’s podcast episode features one of our Recovery.com cohosts, Cliff McDonald! Cliff is the Chief Growth Officer at Recovery.com and identifies as an alcoholic in long-term recovery. In this episode, Cliff shares his recovery story and details his path as a successful entrepreneur, Wall Street businessman, coach, father, and mentor. 

You can find Cliff’s episode and listen to our past guests here. 

“A Ticking Time Bomb”

rehabpath cliff mcdonald 2

Cliff was raised in a robust Irish Catholic drinking culture. His father, a Boston police officer and professional boxer, along with his grandfather, a decorated World War II veteran, both drank heavily. Alcohol was a staple at family gatherings, where even as a child, Cliff had “sips of beer” and occasionally Jameson whiskey. By 13, Cliff had not gotten used to alcohol but to also anticipate opportunities to drink.

“I had this other life where I was getting severely intoxicated with my friends since I was 13 years old. And that was a secret. And that remained a secret for a long time, until it didn’t. So, I experienced wholeheartedly the progressive nature of this disease.”

Cliff played football in high school and at Dartmouth College, where he sank deeper into the party culture and drinking habits of fraternities. His once-stellar grades dropped. At this point, he started noticing how he drank more than everyone else and seemed more reliant on it, especially during the off-season.

Cliff followed most of his college peers to Wall Street and made a successful career. He married and moved to Madison, WI, where he opened and ran several Irish pubs. Then, his father passed away at just age of 55, which Cliff suspects was because of his drinking. 

The slow-burning fuse became a racing flame. 

Gradual Descent to a Public Rock Bottom

As Cliff navigated the challenges of losing his father, managing a business, and balancing the responsibilities of parenting and marriage, drinking shifted from a habit to a necessity. He expanded his career beyond owning Irish pubs by taking on the role of COO at a company. But during visits to check on the pubs, what started as a routine beer gradually escalated to a beer paired with a shot. About this, Cliff says, 

“So these little changes, right, over time, and then, the next phase, which ended up being this real, real chaos for about 18 months, two years, when I became severely alcoholic.”

After having one too many at a company party, Cliff was let go. In 2018, he went to rehab for the first time but checked himself out after 14 days. His counselor said he’d see him again. Cliff recalls, 

“So I went home here to Madison and I had 90 days of sobriety. Brutal sobriety. Not going to meetings, not having a sponsor, just white knuckling it.”

And then, 

“After 90 days, I decided that it would be okay to have a drink.”

Wading Through The Mire

Life darkened after that drink. Cliff’s wife didn’t want him living in their house if he drank again, and held firm to that. He ended up in his own apartment, unemployed, and drinking around the clock. 

“I think I was drinking to die. And, really, no will to live.”

Cliff also remembers, 

“People were reaching out to me for a while, like, checking in, and I remember I wouldn’t answer the phone a lot, because I didn’t want to talk to people, and I was hiding.” … “Then the phone stopped ringing, and I had never felt alone in my whole life, and I was alone in this apartment without, it’s crazy, with no one near me, no one checking in on me.”

After not hearing from him for a few days, Cliff’s wife made a welfare check and found Cliff needing dire help. He returned to treatment after detoxing in a hospital for 6 days. 

Rising to Recovery

Cliff’s second time at rehab had a much different effect. Remembering what his counselor told him this second time, Cliff quotes, 

“”Some people are alone. You’re not. You have people who still love you and still care for you.” And it hit me. Like it hit me and it hit me hard.”

A spiritual experience and working the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous set Cliff on the path of long-recovery. After rehab he went to sober living, and then got a sponsor. His therapist at the sober living home told him: 

“She referred to me as a ticking time bomb. She was like, it’s amazing. You held it together as long as you did, and you were just destined to explode. And you did. Now we can do the rebuilding, but let’s dive into why.”

As for what kept him on the path to recovery the second time, Cliff says, 

“So therapy was huge. Prayer and meditation is huge. Fellowship is huge.”

Now, Cliff sponsors other men in recovery and brings his lived experience with addiction and the treatment space to his work as our Chief Growth Officer. He’s also written a book, called Don’t Sell, Generate Revenue. You can buy that here. 


Cliff credits his recovery and his Higher Power with reinstating his creativity, leading him to entrepreneurship and business success again, and being the husband and father he wants to be. Listen to his episode on the Recovery.com Podcast to hear more!

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Healing in Numbers: The Power of Group and Family Therapy in Recovery

We have an exciting new podcast with guest Dr. Claudia Black! We had an insightful and educational time discussing Dr. Black’s professional and personal experiences. We also explored what drew her to focus on behavioral health, adolescent treatment, and healing dysfunctional families. Dr. Black has authored multiple books on addiction, children of addiction, how families heal, and much more.

Listen to this fascinating episode with Dr. Black here!

Past Experience and Background

Dr. Claudia Black is the clinical architect of the Claudia Black Young Adult Center with the Meadows. She’s a renowned author and speaker, and a trailblazer in the field of addiction and family systems therapy. Her work shaped the awareness and healing surrounding adult children of parents with substance use disorders, and children from dysfunctional and abusive families. Clinicians around the world use her frameworks to understand, and treat, addiction and dysfunction within family systems. 

C Black scaled

Dr. Black grew up in a dysfunctional home herself, a child of a father struggling with alcohol use disorder. She deeply understands the effects dysfunction and addiction have on families, especially adolescents. Dr. Black brings a unique blend of empathy and clinical expertise to her treatment, books, and our conversation in this episode with host Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri (Editor-in-Chief) and co-host Cliff McDonald (Chief Growth Officer).

Group Work as a Pillar in Successful Treatment

Dr. Black primarily works with adolescents, developing a campus and program specifically for young adults after recognizing they learn and respond to treatment much differently than older peers. For this age group and others, Dr. Black has seen profound benefits with group therapy. She notes,

“And…the advantages of group work, I think the biggest advantage is what I’ve really already stated. It is a major shame reducer. There is so much healing that comes with the possibility of connecting with somebody else who, on a gut level, knows exactly what you’re talking about.” 

She adds another truth patients often realize through group work: 

“It’s okay for me to be vulnerable because there is nothing wrong with me. And I understand that because there’s nothing really wrong with you. This is what happened to you. And I like you. You’re really an okay person. Therefore I must be okay too.” 

Dr. Claudia Black eloquently highlights the transformative power of group therapy in recovery, and how it can significantly reduce shame by connecting patients with others who truly understand their struggles. She also highlights a vital realization created in group settings: the acceptance of vulnerability. Patients learn that being vulnerable is acceptable because their core selves are intact and unblemished by their experiences. This mutual recognition of inherent worth helps patients accept themselves and others, creating a supportive community where everyone can feel truly ‘okay’.

Healing Emotional Abandonment in Dysfunctional Families

Much of Dr. Black’s work focuses on healing emotional abandonment, which can take many forms and roles. Her books and speeches cover the realities of growing up with parents with substance use disorders, abusive parents, and emotionally unavailable parents. Dr. Black defines emotional abandonment, stating,

“Emotional abandonment is when you have to hide a part of who you are in order to be acceptable.”

Emotional abandonment can skew what children believe about themselves, especially as they grow into adults. For example, they may believe showing emotion is weak or being kind to others opens them up for attack. Dr. Black adds,

“So what are these parts of self that I’m having to hide? Was it okay to make a mistake in this family? Or did you learn that if you did anything less than perfect, there was something wrong with you? Was it okay for you to have feelings?” 

As a result of emotional abandonment from abuse, emotional detachment, or absent parenting, children can turn to substances and illicit practices to find comfort and community. 

This quote poignantly addresses the deep-seated fears and insecurities many people carry into adulthood, often stemming from their familial environments. It challenges us to reflect on the parts of ourselves we’ve felt compelled to hide, questioning whether our upbringing allowed room for mistakes or if perfection was the unattainable standard. This introspection helps us understand and heal the internalized beliefs that may hinder our personal growth and emotional well-being.

Substance Use to Numb Emotional Pain

One of Dr. Black’s books, It Will Never Happen to Me!, highlights the connection between children of addiction and becoming a substance user themselves, despite seeing the effects and damage of addiction first-hand.

She notes how children of addiction almost always experience emotional abandonment, which can lead to substance use as a way to cope with the pain and manage their emotions on their own. As they get older, children of addiction and/or abusive parents may also use substances to numb painful memories and the trauma of their experiences. Even if these children, who watch their parents suffer with addiction, vow to live differently, they can end up following the same pattern. Dr. Black says, 

“If becoming addicted was an issue of willpower, children of addiction would be the last ones to become addicted. But it has nothing to do with willpower. What happens is alcohol or drugs can do something for this child that it doesn’t have to do for somebody else. It can give them a greater sense of confidence. It can give them courage. It can give them a sense of empowerment against the powerlessness in their life.”

The Role of Family Therapy and How It Works

Family therapy is an important part of treatment for all age groups, but especially young adults. Dr. Black deftly explains the importance of family therapy, anxieties and misconceptions family members may have, and how the patient and their loved ones can optimize the experience for their collective healing. 

Dr. Black notes common fears loved ones have coming into treatment:

“Anybody who walks into the treatment setting is very scared. It’s very vulnerable, in a way that is foreign to them.” … “So they’re, they don’t want to be part of a treatment program because they feel so guilty or they feel like they’re going to be blamed.”

These anxieties and fears are some of the reasons why Dr. Black and many other treatment providers focus on creating a welcoming, non-judgemental space for families to learn more about the condition their loved one has and discuss their experiences. What this reaps is:

“…the patient, the identified patient, the client themselves who goes to treatment, probably has a better chance of recovery typically when family members participate in family programming and ultimately experience their own recovery process.”

Sessions with loved ones often center on education, helping them understand each aspect of the patient’s behavior and conditions. It also helps them understand their own needs and recovery process. Dr. Black says, 

“Most of the family members, when they leave, will walk away saying, I couldn’t believe that I’d have a recovery process. I didn’t even know that I had something that I needed to recover from.”

“People Are So Resilient”

Dr. Black describes the inspiring sense of resilience each person has, and how that contributes to their recovery journey. She also describes real stories of resilience in her book Undaunted Hope. On resilience, she says, 

“So being able to recognize that some of what was survivorship is where our resiliency is today, as well. You get to keep the strengths that you created. A lot of dysfunction or a lot of trauma in your life, you get to keep the strengths. You just want to take away the rigidity of those strengths.”

Dr. Black gives an example of someone used to taking control and taking care of others. They turn out to be a natural leader, which is an inner strength, but can be over controlling and micro-manage. Loosening the reins allows this person to still lead, but be a better listener, more receptive to feedback, and gentler in how they communicate. 

Promising Trends and Innovations in Addiction Treatment

Dr. Black pointed out new trends in addiction treatment and suggestions for how providers can offer better care. One, she suggests new providers read her book Undaunted Hope for the real-life experiences highlighted in the book and stories of resilience. She adds,

“You have to know addiction. You don’t have to specialize in the field of addictive disorders. But you can not, as a mental health professional, work in this field and not know addiction and be open to the fact that that could be what it is that’s going on.”

As far as emerging trends and needs, Dr. Black says, 

“I think that we need to pay more attention to long term, what supports long term recovery and that, from an inpatient treatment standpoint, 45 days is not enough. It’s a wonderful start, but I don’t think that we’ve given credence to those next handful of months into this first couple of years.”

Dr. Black sheds light on evolving trends in addiction treatment and offers critical guidance for care providers. She emphasizes the importance of a deep understanding of addiction, regardless of a provider’s specialization, highlighting that it is essential knowledge for any mental health professional. Dr. Black also advocates for a reassessment of treatment times, pointing out that while a 45-day inpatient program is a good start, it doesn’t always support long-term recovery. She stresses the need for extending care well beyond these initial stages, which can significantly bolster recovery outcomes.


This episode was rich in information and wisdom. To find out more about this episode and Dr. Claudia Black’s work, listen to her podcast here!

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Ethical Care and Recovery: A Cornerstone for Healing

Ethics and quality treatment go hand-in-hand. One often doesn’t exist without the other and if they do, the impact of either lessens. In an industry shaped by unethical practices, some of which have just become the norm, a pursuit of ethics sets many organizations and providers apart.

We’ll explore what ethics are in the behavioral health industry and why they’re such an important part of recovery—regardless of the conditions present, the level of care, or patient preferences. Ethics remain the baseline of effective care.

Listen to our podcast episode with Marvin Ventrell, CEO of the National Association of Addiction Providers (NAATP), to learn more about ethics in treatment from the person who spearheaded the effort.

Ethics: What They Are and Why They Matter

At first thought, ‘being ethical’ may sound like feeding the homeless, treating others fairly, or being honest. People without ethics often star as villains in books and films, but in reality, a lack of ethics often shows in more subtle ways. Sometimes, that’s because we or another party don’t know the ethics of a certain industry, place, or demographic and act unethically by accident. Other times, acting unethically is an intentional choice to manipulate and mislead for personal gain. Usually, monetary.

Treatment that prioritizes ethics both improves the chances of success and helps patients feel respected and cared for, which maintains their dignity. Lacking ethics has consequences, from being hurtful to costing someone the recovery opportunity they deserved. In dire cases, unethical practices can directly or indirectly end someone’s life. 

Unethical Practices in Addiction Treatment

Ethics in the addiction treatment space have gotten more robust and structured, but that wasn’t always the case. Old practices still happen today and, unfortunately, can marr the otherwise respectable reputation of treatment providers. These are some of those practices.

Patient Brokering

Patient brokering is the practice of unethically attracting people to a certain treatment center through a broker that offers free flights, gifts, money, or even drugs. The ‘broker’ who refers them to treatment gets a compensation fee. Sometimes, brokers will help people relapse and then encourage them to go to the specific treatment center that gives them compensation. Brokers may share their fees to encourage patients to relapse and go to treatment.

The Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to pay for addiction treatment, which means patients with good-paying insurance are often the targets of patient brokering, or body brokering. Once the patient’s insurance is charged, they’re run through treatment quickly, primed to relapse and return again to the center (so they can charge their insurance again). 

Thankfully, patient brokering has become illegal and therefore less common. But it still happens. States like Florida and California still battle shady providers and brokers, shutting them down as soon as they can. 

Misleading Marketing

Some treatment centers rely on misleading marketing to draw in patients—and their insurance. AI-generated images or generic stock photos make the center look nicer than it is, or advertise amenities and therapies that don’t actually exist (like private bedrooms, a pool, or equine therapy). The center could also claim they have more experienced or higher qualified staff than they actually do, like saying all their therapists are masters-level when they aren’t.

Thinking they’ve found an amazing center at an equally amazing price, patients or their loved ones may commit to treatment and pay upfront for their care without realizing they’ve been duped. 

Paying for Leads

Some treatment providers pay for ‘leads’ to their website, which are website clicks, phone calls, or messages indicating interest in treatment. For example, a treatment center may pay a directory or call center to send them a certain amount of leads. One way a call center can do this is by saying other treatment centers are full or closed, leaving the one paying them as ‘the only option.’ 

Lack of Transparency

Some treatment centers purposefully make it difficult to ascertain what they do and how they do it. They may also distort what the living conditions will look like, using vague statements like, “Patients are onsite.” (Living where? What are the rooms like? Is it actually residential? Will there be meals?)

The admissions staff are often just as vague, encouraging you to make your payments, get through the admissions process, and start treatment instead of answering questions. Once you get to the center, you may realize it’s not a good fit or not at all what you expected. 

Exposing Patient Identities

One of the last things many patients want is to see their face plastered over marketing materials or used on the website of the place they went to get treatment. Addiction and mental health treatment is deeply personal and often vulnerable; not something people often want disclosed (especially celebrities or high-ranking corporate employees/employers).

Unethical providers sometimes use pictures of patients to capture their treatment services and amenities. If treatment centers do use pictures of patients in their marketing materials or on social media, the patient must be fully aware and give their approval before the image can show anywhere on the internet or printed materials. 

Ethical Practices in Addiction Treatment

Many treatment providers and industry leaders recognize and prioritize ethics in treatment, slowly but surely changing the entire industry and restoring its reputation. Here’s how.

Clear Advertising

This applies to the treatment center advertising themselves and 3rd-party sites advertising the center. For the center, it means any material or messaging about their center is clear and not misleading. They clearly state what they are, what they do, and what patients can expect. Not only is this ethical and kind, it reduces fear of the unknown (FUD), which can be a barrier to treatment.

Third parties prioritize ethics by clearly marking which listings on their website are paid advertisers. At Recovery.com, for example, you’ll see we mark each treatment provider that pays for an extended reach. This lets visitors and potential patients know what is and isn’t an ad. 

Accurate Language and Images

The way a center portrays themself makes a big difference. If they say they’re the best rehab ever and upload a dozen stock images of a luxury spa, that’d likely change the way a potential patient views them—and sway their treatment decision. 

Sticking to the facts of what they treat, how they treat it, and including pictures of their center only make for a more ethical portrayal. Clear content and pictures also help potential patients make quick, informed decisions at a difficult time.

Updated and Accessible Licensing Information

A good indicator of quality care comes from 1) clinical licensure from the center’s country and state and 2) accreditation from organizations like the NAATP, The Joint Commission, LegitScript, and CARF. 

Many providers make these accreditations and licenses easily viewable on their website. You can also search the accreditor’s website for the specific treatment center to see if they’ve been accredited by them.

While licensure and accreditations don’t guarantee successful treatment, they can help you decide on a center and feel more confident in the quality of care you or a loved one will receive. 

Cultural Competency

Cultural competency means the staff at a treatment center have a learned or lived experience that allows them to understand someone’s culture, and how their culture can affect treatment. Cultural competency can help LGBTQ+, non-white, religious, and disabled people feel more comfortable, safe, and understood in treatment.

Making Every Effort to Offer Effective Care

Imagine if you went to the doctor for a sprained ankle and the staff only tossed you an ice pack. Some treatment providers do close to the same thing for addiction and mental health treatment; bare minimum services that don’t address core issues. 

Ethical providers do the opposite: making every effort to give you the best, most effective care they can. They collaborate with each other to better understand your needs and check that they’re addressing them. Depending on their services and available resources, you’ll receive the therapies and practices best attuned to what you need to recover.

Though effort and best intentions don’t guarantee recovery, they go infinitely farther than lackluster care and band-aid solutions. 

Organizations Enforcing Ethics

How does the treatment space enforce the concept of ethics and ethical practices? It takes the bravery and efforts of many organizations determined to improve the space and save lives. One of those organizations is the NAATP, who’s CEO we were privileged to talk with in our recent podcast episode. You can listen to that to learn more about his story and how the NAATP put their stamp on ethics. 

The Joint Commission also offers accreditation for many types of treatment providers. To gain accreditation from the NAATP and The Joint Commission, treatment providers go through rigorous screenings and approvals similar to state licensing. These organizations focus more on ethical care, though, which differs them from a center meeting the state requirements to operate. 
With these organizations and the passion behind them, finding quality, ethical addiction treatment is more than possible. People care. Hope is for everyone.

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Addiction Education in Rehab: Empowering Recovery Through Knowledge

Understanding addiction and mental health provides crucial stepping stones to long-term recovery. That’s why many rehabs provide psychoeducation, which teaches patients about behavioral health conditions. In a psychoeducation class, you’ll learn more about particular substances, how they work, their long-term effects on your brain and body, and why cravings happen. It also explains the connection between addiction and mental health conditions.

Gaining this understanding of yourself and your recovery journey can better prepare you for the road ahead, helping you feel confident in your ability to identify triggers, coping mechanisms, and relapse risks. 

Introduction to Addiction Education

Addiction education1 teaches the biological, psychological, and social aspects of addiction. The goal is to demystify the process of addiction recovery and provide vital insights into treatment. Learning about addiction can help people feel more empowered in their recovery and in supporting loved ones.  

Psychoeducation raises awareness about the nature of addiction, including how drugs impact the brain, the progression of tolerance and dependence, and the addictive cycle. Understanding the scientific basis of addiction can help people acknowledge the chronicity of the disorder and why long-term management plays a crucial part in their recovery.

Addiction education in rehab also emphasizes and teaches coping skills for relapse prevention. Patients learn how to recognize triggers, handle cravings, and navigate high-risk situations (like acute stress) without resorting to substances as a coping mechanism. It prepares them for “real-world” settings to bolster confidence in their recovery.

What It Looks Like

Psychoeducation in rehab looks a lot like a regular classroom. You’ll sit in a circle, at tables, or in rows with a whiteboard or screen up front. A “teacher” leads the lessons; they may be therapists, counselors, psychologists, doctors, or someone with lived experience. You’ll commit an hour or so to learn, potentially watching videos and engaging in discussions with the teacher and your peers. Your teacher may also encourage you to take notes.

Core Topics Covered in Addiction Education

Addiction education typically covers the neurological effects of substances, the impact of mental health conditions, the health risks of addiction, and how to recognize and cope with triggers. These topics can go in-depth, like learning how addiction rewires the brain, or broadly address ideas and themes. Classes may also focus on a specific substance, like cocaine or fentanyl. 

Methods of Delivering Addiction Education

Peer interaction, group discussions, and lecture-style lessons provide addiction education. Videos and written projects also contribute. You may watch videos or animated depictions of how substances affect the brain, for example. The educator will likely ask questions or prompt group discussions each session. You and your peers are encouraged to voice questions throughout the lesson to help yourself and others learn.

Psychoeducation may also include interactive workshops, where you and your peers have a more hands-on experience by acting out scenarios or seeing creative depictions of them. For example, you might study a plastic brain to see where addictive substances impact the reward system. Cartoons and drawings help visual learners1 understand and relate to information.

Learning could take place individually, in a group, or in a family setting2. The exact setting will depend on your program and how they structure psychoeducation.

The Impact of Addiction Education on Recovery

Learning about addiction helps you become more self-aware1 and make better-informed choices on your recovery journey. Knowing what triggers cravings can help you avoid them. And, you’ll learn coping tools to manage cravings both long-term and in the moment. These tools, gained by psychoeducation, can strengthen your recovery and empower greater confidence in your journey.

Psychoeducation has been found to improve treatment outcomes1 by reducing relapses and promoting abstinence. It also improves treatment compliance, which can help people stay in treatment longer and get the healing they need.

Integrating Education with Other Treatment Modalities

Psychoeducation in addiction treatment flows in tandem with therapy, medical care, and holistic therapies. It complements each facet of treatment by helping patients better understand the process and how each component works towards recovery.

For example, psychoeducation can educate patients on the medications they’re taking. They’ll learn more about the medication and what it does, helping them understand its benefits, potential side effects, and commit to taking it as prescribed. 

Overcoming Challenges in Addiction Education

Participants can run into challenges in psychoeducation, despite its many benefits. Challenges won’t necessarily make addiction education ineffective, but they can limit how much patients engage in the lessons. Here are some examples of common challenges in addiction education:

  1. Unengaging teaching styles 
  2. Unenthusiastic facilitators
  3. Poorly designed and confusing lessons distracting from the content itself
  4. Mental health and/or learning conditions affecting learning abilities
  5. Peers not getting along
  6. Bias, prejudice, and lack of cultural competency from facilitators

To face these challenges, providers can ensure they assign competent, enthusiastic teachers with clearly defined lesson plans that patients can access beforehand to know what to expect. A syllabus, for example, would detail what patients can expect to learn and keep their lessons moving toward defined goals and milestones.

Teachers should also have access to a variety of learning materials, helping them adapt to various learning styles and meet the needs of their ever-evolving students. Additional training on inclusivity, diversity, and anti-bias can help facilitators create more welcoming environments students feel comfortable engaging in.

Continuing Education and Support Post-Rehab

Addiction education doesn’t end after rehab. You can keep learning every day, in big or small ways. 

Educational Courses and Training

Online training or college courses can deepen your knowledge of addiction and earn you a certification or degree. Your classes will mimic psychoeducation classes in rehab but with graded homework and assignments or other completion requirements. Colleges may offer these courses or platforms like Coursera. 

Support Groups

You can find local or online support groups by searching the internet or connecting with your local community. For example, you could check with your community center for guidance and see where local groups take place. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other 12-Step groups likely exist in your area and actively welcome new members. Online groups connect you to others in your state, country, or worldwide to share and receive support.

Community Engagement

Your town or city may have activities and groups for those in recovery, like monthly dinners or sports clubs. Even if they’re not geared toward people in recovery, you can still join a group that seems fun to you and meet new people, learn about their experiences, and build your support system.

Learning to Hope

Addiction education in rehab serves as a powerful tool in recovery. It helps you understand how addiction works, what it does to your brain, and why certain triggers cause cravings. Psychoeducation helps you create relapse-prevention strategies centered on your new knowledge of your addiction and contributing factors, like mental health conditions, to empower your recovery.

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What to Expect in the Rehab Intake Process: A Step-by-Step Guide 

The decision to start rehab is a brave one, and it’s nothing short of life-changing. Your journey to recovery has an official entry point: the intake process.  

When you arrive at rehab, a team of treatment professionals will gather information about you, your background, and your addiction. They’ll then use this in-depth assessment to develop a treatment plan to address your needs. 

This guide will walk you through the steps involved in rehab intake, along with other details you need to know to prepare for this first step toward recovery.

Finding a Rehab: Initial Contact and Pre-Screening

This first point of contact, often with an admissions counselor, sets the wheels of your recovery in motion. Here’s what you can expect:

Reaching Out

Be prepared to share some basic information about yourself and your situation. This might include your contact details, the substances you’ve been using, and the severity of your use. The admissions counselor will likely ask about your motivation for seeking treatment and any previous attempts at recovery. This initial conversation is also a chance for you to ask questions about the rehab’s programs, treatment costs, and what to expect once you get there.

Pre-Screening and Assessment

Following your initial contact with an admissions counselor, you’ll likely undergo a more in-depth pre-screening with a clinical professional. They’ll ask questions about your medical history, mental health, and substance use patterns. This may include details about the frequency and duration of your use, any withdrawal symptoms you’re having, and the impact addiction has had on your life. While these questions might feel personal, it’s important to answer them as honestly as possible. The better your treatment team understands your situation, the more effectively they can help you. 

The information gathered during pre-screening helps rehab staff determine the most appropriate level of care for your individual needs. It also allows them to identify any co-occurring mental health disorders that should be addressed alongside your addiction. And it lets them know if you may be a good fit for specialized treatment, such as targeted therapies for certain conditions or support groups for certain patient populations.

Arriving at Rehab: In-Depth Assessment

Once you arrive at rehab, you’ll receive a comprehensive assessment that digs deeper into understanding you and your addiction. This evaluation, conducted by multiple members of your treatment team, is used to map your road to recovery. It typically involves 3 key areas: medical, psychological, and substance abuse evaluation.  

Medical Evaluation 

A medical evaluation by a healthcare professional ensures your physical safety throughout treatment. They’ll review your medical history and current medications, and may order additional tests if necessary. This allows them to identify any underlying health conditions that are contributing to your addiction or require management during detox.

Psychological Assessment

A psychologist will then assess your emotional and psychological well-being. This is often based on what behavioral health professionals call a biopsychosocial assessment.1 Because “a variety of different things can ‘cause’ or worsen behavioral health symptoms,” says Licensed Professional Counselor and Qualified Clinical Supervisor Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes, looking at the physical, cognitive, and relational aspects of someone can help you piece together more of their puzzle.

Your psychological evaluation may include standardized testing, as well as discussions about your mental health history, current mood, and any underlying mental health disorders like trauma or anxiety. All of these factors play a role in addiction and need to be addressed as part of your addiction treatment plan.

Substance Use Evaluation

An addiction specialist will conduct a thorough evaluation of your substance use history. They’ll ask detailed questions about the types of substances you use, how much and how often you use them, and the impact addiction has had on your life. This may also include a discussion about your triggers, cravings, and past attempts at recovery. This forms a clearer picture of your addiction so your rehab team can help you tackle your problems. 

While going through multiple rehab assessments might seem redundant, they’re each important. They form the basis of understanding for who you are and what you’re going through, and make your treatment team aware of any biological factors that might affect your response to treatment. Ultimately, it helps them create a treatment plan that will effectively meet your needs. 

Creating a Personalized Treatment Plan

The information gathered in the intake process is used to create your addiction treatment plan. This plan outlines your treatment goals and what you’ll do to work toward them over the course of the program and on a day-to-day basis.

A Collaborative Effort

The different specialists at your rehab—medical doctors, therapists, counselors, holistic wellness practitioners, and support staff—will work together to review your assessment results and discuss the most effective course of action. 

Tailored Interventions

Your treatment team will use certain therapeutic interventions to target your unique challenges.  For example, if you’re struggling with co-occurring depression, your plan might include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address negative thought patterns. If you have a history of relapses, your plan might emphasize relapse prevention strategies and learning recovery skills.

Adjusting as Needed

As you progress through the treatment process, your clinical team will monitor your response to treatment and adjust your plan accordingly. This ensures the program is optimized to meet your needs as they evolve. As an active participant in your recovery journey, you’ll also have the opportunity to voice your concerns and preferences as they come up.

Financial Arrangements and Insurance

Figuring out how to cover treatment costs can be intimidating, but it shouldn’t hold you back from getting the help you need. Rehab admissions teams are experienced in helping patients navigate insurance processes, and are there to answer your questions and help you along the way. There are several financial avenues you can use to access treatment:

Insurance Coverage

Contact your insurance provider directly to ask about their in-network rehabs and the extent of your coverage for addiction treatment. This will give you a clearer picture of what portion of the treatment costs your insurance covers.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

Even with insurance, there may be out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, co-pays, or coinsurance. Your rehab’s admissions team can give you a detailed breakdown of estimated costs associated with your treatment plan. Be sure to ask about any additional fees so you know exactly what to plan for. 

Payment Options and Financial Assistance

Many rehabs offer flexible payment plans to help manage the financial burden. They can also connect you with resources to explore financial assistance programs. Government-funded programs like Medicaid may offer coverage for addiction treatment, and some rehabs have scholarship funds for those who can’t afford treatment.

See frequently asked questions about insurance coverage for rehab.

Orientation and Beginning Treatment

The first few days in rehab can feel like information overload, which is why it’s important to get oriented and ease into the process. 

Orientation 

During orientation, you’ll receive an overview of the facility’s policies, daily schedule, and safety protocols. This includes information about meals, group therapy sessions, medication management (if applicable), and expected behavior within the facility. You’ll also finalize your living arrangements, whether it’s a private room or shared accommodations. The rehab staff is there to address any questions or concerns you may have and help you feel comfortable in your new surroundings.

Structure and Support

Rehab is a safe, structured environment with routines that will become the foundation of your life in recovery. The first few days to a week in rehab are about acclimating to this new routine and settling into your daily schedule and activities. This structured environment is one of the main benefits of residential rehab, as it provides an immersive, recovery-focused experience.

Connecting with the Community

Orientation is an opportunity to meet the staff members you’ll interact with throughout your stay, such as nurses, case managers, and therapists. You’ll also have the chance to connect with other patients in your program. You’ll likely spend a lot of time with your program peers as you attend group therapy and other activities together. These people will be an important support system during this stage of your journey. 

Family Involvement and Support

Addiction impacts the entire family, and rehab recognizes the importance of including your loved ones in your healing process. Different programs have different tools for facilitating family support in rehab.

Family Programs

Many rehabs offer specialized family programs designed to educate your loved ones about addiction and empower them to best support you. These programs may include several components:

  • Psychoeducational workshops: These workshops aim to educate families about addiction, its causes, and the recovery process. This helps them understand what you’re going through and how to create a more supportive environment for you when you return home.
  • Family therapy sessions: These sessions provide a safe space for open communication between you and your family. A therapist can guide discussions, address underlying issues, and help your family learn supportive communication skills.
  • Support groups: Family support groups connect loved ones of people in recovery. Sharing experiences and challenges with others who understand can be incredibly validating and provide valuable coping mechanisms for your family.

Involving Family in Your Healing Process

Rehabs often facilitate ongoing communication between you and your family during your treatment stay. This may involve:

  • Family day: Some rehabs have designated dates toward the end of a program where family members visit to attend workshops, therapy sessions, and activities with their loved ones in the program. 
  • Family visits: Rehabs might also allow patients to schedule individual family visits within the facility’s guidelines. These visits allow for face-to-face interaction in a facilitated context to create space for mutual understanding.
  • Communication: Different programs have different policies on using your devices to stay connected with your loved ones while you’re in treatment. If this is important to you, check with your rehab for details on theirs.

Setting Boundaries

While family involvement is encouraged, it’s also important to establish healthy boundaries. Rehab is a great time to break old patterns and practice new ways of handling relationships, while you have the support of your therapists. Your treatment team can help guide you through this process.

Working with the staff, you can create a plan outlining the frequency and duration of visits or phone calls that feel comfortable for you during this vulnerable time. Your therapists can also teach you assertive communication skills, allowing you to clearly and confidently express your needs to your family. The goal of family programming is to help you heal relationships with your family and reinforce an important part of your support system to prepare for your return home. 

A strong support network is an essential aspect of life in long-term recovery. But not everyone’s relationships with family members are healthy or supportive of their healing progress. Your family in this case might include chosen family, extended family, your partner, or close friends who are unconditionally loving and supportive. You’ll be making major life changes and continuing to face challenges after you complete treatment, and your support network will be a key part of your success. 

The First Step Toward Your New Life

The rehab intake process may seem like a lot, but it’s an incredible first step toward changing your life. Think of it as laying the foundation for a healthier, happier you. 

The information gathered during intake allows the rehab staff to create a personalized treatment plan specifically designed to address your needs and maximize your chances of success. As such, it’s important to be honest and transparent with staff throughout the process. The more information you share about your addiction history and challenges, the better equipped your treatment team will be to deliver an effective treatment plan. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and voice any concerns you have. The rehab staff is there to guide and support you every step of the way.

Deciding to change your life is a hugely empowering act. Approach the intake process with courage and a commitment to your healing. With the right support, you’ll be well on your way to a beautiful life in sobriety. 

Search for addiction and mental health treatment centers and contact their admissions staff directly today, and take the first step toward your new life. 

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Why Is Alcohol Dangerous?

Although alcohol may be legal and normalized, it’s associated with various health risks and negative consequences. Physically, alcohol’s toxins contribute to liver disease, heart disease, and specific types of cancer1. Alcohol’s danger can go beyond disease, harming your relationships, mental health, and well-being2, as well. This stems from its psychoactive properties, which can impair judgment, coordination, and control, leading to risky behaviors and a propensity for addiction.

Alcohol impacts everything from individual health to society as a whole. Safe consumption and preventive measures can help minimize these unhealthy effects. 

How Can Alcohol Affect Your Life?

Unsafe alcohol consumption can cause a ripple effect that touches nearly every facet of your life. 

Alcohol can lead to strained family relationships and even domestic violence3. Children in families where alcohol use is prevalent are at a higher risk of experiencing emotional and behavioral problems4. They may also be at greater risk of developing substance use problems later in life.

Professionally, alcohol use can lead to poor performance5, absenteeism, and, ultimately, job loss. An unstable source of income can cause financial problems and volatile relationships. 

Socially, alcohol can lead to behaviors that strain relationships, such as aggression6, social withdrawal, and engaging in illegal activities. It can also result in legal repercussions ranging from fines for public intoxication to more serious charges like driving under the influence (DUI), which can have long-term consequences on a person’s legal record and employment opportunities.

How Is Alcohol Unhealthy?

Alcohol is a toxin that metabolizes to an acetaldehyde7, which are highly reactive molecules that can damage DNA, proteins, and lipids. Alcohol remains in the bloodstream until it is metabolized by the liver, therefore damaging liver tissue; however, it is highly diffusible through cell membranes and is metabolized by most tissues. Thus, its toxicity affects most organs.

Regular consumption significantly increases the risk of developing chronic diseases1, such as liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular diseases, and certain forms of cancer. 

Alcohol dependence, known as alcoholism, is a particularly dire health consequence that involves a preoccupation with alcohol, compulsive drinking, and high tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. This disease not only deteriorates physical health but also mental well-being, contributing to conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Short Term Effects of Alcohol

Immediately after consumption, alcohol begins to alter mind and body functions8. Physical effects can include slurred speech, impaired motor skills, and a delayed reaction time, which can be particularly dangerous when operating vehicles or machinery. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and can lead to dehydration. It can irritate the stomach lining, leading to nausea and vomiting. Additionally, drinking too much can weaken your immune system9, making the body a much easier target for disease after a single occasion of drinking. 

Drinking also produces cognitive side effects, such as reduced inhibitions and poor judgment, increasing the likelihood of making decisions that can have serious repercussions. Alcohol can also affect short-term memory, and in higher amounts, it can lead to blackouts, where the drinker cannot remember what happened while under the influence.

Long Term Effects of Alcohol

Chronic alcohol use wreaks havoc on the body. The long-term effects of alcohol on the body can be severe and wide-ranging, affecting virtually every organ system. Prominently, it damages the liver, heart, brain, stomach, and kidneys.

Liver

The liver is particularly vulnerable, as it’s the primary site for alcohol metabolism.  Unhealthy alcohol consumption levels can cause hepatic lesions in the liver10, leading to alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and, ultimately, cirrhosis. A liver with cirrhosis has permanent damage and scar tissue that can cause liver failure.

In advanced stages, liver damage from alcohol can be irreversible and may necessitate a liver transplant. Chronic alcohol consumption also increases the risk of developing liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer. This risk is especially high in individuals with alcoholic cirrhosis.

The liver is crucial to metabolizing and detoxifying all substances. Maintaining liver health is vital to prevent serious complications and health risks. 

Heart

Long-term effects on the heart can suddenly manifest as severe health events with long-lasting consequences11. Alcohol misuse can lead to: 

  • Hypertension: Alcohol activates the central nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system12 in a way that causes blood vessel muscles to constrict, leading to high blood pressure.
  • Cardiomyopathy: Alcoholic cardiomyopathy, damaging the hearts’ muscles, can be caused by the substance’s inflammatory effects. 
  • Arrhythmias: Chronic heavy drinking and binge drinking can lead to irregular heartbeats, known as arrhythmias. The most common type associated with alcohol is atrial fibrillation, where the upper chambers of the heart experience chaotic electrical signals, leading to an irregular heartbeat. This can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.
  • Stroke: Excessive alcohol intake is linked to an increased risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain, while a hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a blood vessel in the brain bursting.

Brain

Alcohol can lead to neurodegeneration13, or neuron destruction, and permanent brain damage. As heavy drinking alters neurons and their pathways, the brain’s neural networks cannot properly communicate and function with itself and the body. Without healthy networks, brain health can severely decline, resulting in problems with cognition, memory, and coordination. 

Chronic abuse can also increase the risk of developing mental health disorders14, including depression and anxiety. Alcohol can act as self-medication for uncomfortable emotions associated with these mental disorders, leading to dependency. Chemical changes in the brain from alcohol, such as the disruption of neurotransmitters crucial in maintaining good mental health, also contribute to and worsen existing symptoms. 

Stomach

Both acute and chronic alcohol consumption can interfere with stomach functioning15. For example, alcohol—even in relatively small amounts—can alter gastric acid secretion, injure gastric muscles, and interfere with gastric and intestinal motility (how easily food travels through the system). Therefore, alcohol’s toxic and inflammatory effects can not only hinder digestion, but also cause long-term issues such as gastritis (irritated and inflamed stomach lining) and ulcers. 

Kidneys

Drinking can compromise the kidneys’ ability to regulate the volume and composition of fluid and electrolytes in the body16. In addition to their role in regulating the body’s fluid composition, the kidneys produce hormones that influence a host of physiological processes, including blood pressure regulation, red blood cell production, and calcium metabolism. Alcohol’s toxic effects can completely alter how kidney cells function.

Harming these systems can lead to an increased risk of kidney stones and kidney disease. Over time, an imbalance of water, hormone levels, and bodily waste can negatively impact overall health.

Immune System

High amounts of alcohol consumption can leave the body susceptible to infections and slower recovery from illness16. 

Alcohol can damage the protective epithelial cells lining the gut, skin, and lungs, reducing the body’s first line of defense against pathogens. This damage can increase the likelihood of bacterial infections and bacteria entering the bloodstream from the gut. 

Alcohol consumption can also reduce the production and function of lymphocytes, including T-cells and B-cells, weakening the body’s ability to develop long-term immunity and produce antibodies in response to infections. 

Chronic alcohol use can lead to prolonged inflammation, which can itself cause tissue damage and lead to a variety of chronic diseases.

Is There a Safe Amount of Alcohol?

While moderate alcohol consumption might fit into a healthy lifestyle for some, defining ‘safe’ levels of consumption is complex. Guidelines can vary significantly, taking into account factors such as gender, age, medical history, and medications. 

The idea of a universally ‘safe’ amount of alcohol is increasingly scrutinized, and the best recommendation often comes from someone’s healthcare providers. The most effective way to avoid negative health consequences is to not drink at all. 

Find Treatment For Alcohol

If you’re experiencing the damaging effects of alcohol, you can choose to break the cycle. Professional support is available, designed to help people with struggles exactly like yours. Getting help can place you on the path to a fulfilling, sober life.
Explore alcohol addiction treatment centers to learn about their programs, pricing, insurance coverage, and more.

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Substance Abuse Evaluations: Why They Matter and What to Expect

If you’re starting treatment for a substance use disorder, a substance abuse evaluation is a foundational first step. 

This confidential chat with a qualified professional—usually a therapist, psychologist, or social worker—dives deep into your relationship with substances. Through a series of questions and possibly some tests, they’ll determine if you have a substance use disorder (SUD) and how serious it is. They’ll also look at how substances affect your daily life, from your mental health to your job and relationships.

Why all the questions? This intel helps your treatment team build a treatment plan just for you, to set you up for success in recovery.

Here’s how it works.

What Is a Substance Abuse Evaluation?

In a rehab setting, this assessment is how a treatment center gets to know its patients. This process is important because it helps staff create an effective treatment plan. It’s one way to learn data that helps your treatment team determine the best course of action.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis helps you and your treatment team get a clearer picture of what’s going on. 

To make a diagnosis, a qualified addiction treatment professional will talk to you in detail about your substance use. They’ll ask about what you’ve used, how often, and for how long. They’ll want to know if you’ve ever tried to quit before, and how your substance use affects your daily life.

Taken together, this information lets a clinician diagnose an SUD (or co-occurring mental health condition) and determine its severity.

Knowing exactly what you’re dealing with helps your treatment team create a recovery plan that’s right for you.

Treatment Planning for Addiction 

Your team will use the information they gathered from your evaluation to create a personalized treatment plan that fits your unique needs. This treatment plan is like a roadmap to your recovery. 

A thorough substance abuse assessment helps your therapists understand the biological, psychological, and social aspects of your addiction.1 Having a comprehensive picture lets your rehab tailor the treatment plan to address your addiction and any underlying issues that are causing it.

Legal Requirements

In some cases, substance abuse evaluations might be court-ordered. This happens in situations where the legal system needs a clearer picture of your substance use. For instance, if you’re arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), a judge might require an evaluation2 to assess the severity of your problem and decide if treatment is necessary. Substance abuse evaluations can also play a role in child custody disputes. A judge might order one to understand how substance use could affect your ability to care for a child.  

Defense attorney Allison Williams, Esq. explains how substance use evaluations are used in legal proceedings:3

The substance abuse evaluation looks into how your behavior is impacted by your use of substances. That could involve how it impacts your personal relationships, your work responsibilities, and your parenting.

In this case, the focus is on the behavior, on the substance used. “A substance abuse evaluation is a mental health assessment tool that looks into the issue of whether or not your use of substances, whether legal or illegal, has an adverse impact on your life,” says Williams. For example, “There are certain recreational drugs that…may constitute an illegal act, but they don’t necessarily mean that you committed child abuse and neglect.”

These evaluations are different than what you would experience in a voluntary addiction treatment program, and the outcome can have legal consequences. Most court-ordered substance abuse evaluations also include drug testing. 

Components of a Substance Abuse Evaluation

Clinical Interviews

The main part of a substance abuse evaluation is the clinical interview. This is a confidential conversation with a clinical professional like a therapist or social worker. They’ll ask questions about different aspects of your life to better understand your situation:

  • Substance use history: What substances you use, how often you use them, for how long, any attempts you’ve made to quit, and cravings
  • Health: Your physical and mental health history, including any underlying conditions that might be contributing to your substance use
  • Lifestyle: How substance use affects your work, relationships, finances, well-being, and daily life 

Questionnaires and Standardized Tests

Substance abuse evaluations often use questionnaires and standardized tests alongside clinical interviews. These provide additional data points to support the information gathered during your conversation. They might include: 

Your rehab might also administer a drug test (such as a urine test) upon arrival and potentially throughout your stay, depending on their policies. 

Medical Exam

While substance abuse evaluations mainly focus on your behavior and experiences, your assessment might also include a brief medical exam by a healthcare professional. This is to assess any physical health issues caused by or related to your substance use, and may include:

  • Vital signs: Fluctuations in vitals like blood pressure and breathing can sometimes signal withdrawal symptoms or underlying health conditions.
  • Checking for physical effects of substance use: This might involve checking your skin for infections or track marks, examining your eyes for abnormalities, and listening to your heart and lungs for any irregularities.
  • Neurological assessment: Simple tests may be used to evaluate your coordination, reflexes, and cognitive function. The doctor will be looking for any potential damage as substance use can impair these areas.

What to Expect During the Evaluation

The entire evaluation process typically takes a few hours. Specifics might vary depending on your facility, but here’s what you can generally expect:

  • Intake: You’ll start by filling out paperwork with basic information about yourself, such as your contact information and medical history.
  • Clinical interview: You’ll have a private conversation with an addiction treatment professional where you discuss any topics relevant to the condition you’re seeking treatment for.
  • Questionnaires and tests: You might be asked to fill out questionnaires that assess the severity of your dependence, your mental health, and the impact of substance use on your life. Some programs might also test for the presence of substances in your system. 
  • Physical exam: While not always included, some evaluations include a physical exam by a healthcare professional. This is to assess any physical health problems potentially caused by substance use. The doctor will likely check your vital signs, look for signs of withdrawal, and examine your general physical health.
  • Review and recommendations: After the evaluation is complete, the evaluator will discuss the results with you, explain their findings, and recommend next steps.

Preparing for a Substance Abuse Evaluation

Coming prepared for your evaluation can save time, ease your stress, and ensure you provide your treatment team with complete, accurate information. 

Gathering Documentation

Check with your rehab’s admissions team about which documentation you need to bring:

  • Medical records: If you have any medical records related to your substance use, such as hospital visits or doctor’s notes, bring them along.
  • List of current medications: Make a list of all the prescription medications you’re currently taking.
  • Treatment history: If you’ve been treated for substance use in the past, information like discharge summaries or treatment center reports can help inform your current treatment experience.

Don’t worry if you can’t find everything—just bring what you have. What’s most important is to be open and honest during the evaluation process.

Mental and Emotional Preparation

Substance abuse evaluations can get into some pretty personal details about your past, so it helps to take a moment beforehand to mentally and emotionally prepare. Expect to answer open-ended questions that encourage you to share your experiences honestly.

There’s no shame in talking through your experiences. Doing so as candidly as possible helps your treatment team design an effective plan. Remember: they’re not doing this to judge you, but to give you the best help they can. 

Addiction treatment is confidential, and that includes your initial evaluation. The information you share will be kept private according to HIPAA regulations, with some exceptions like potential harm to yourself or others. If you have any concerns about confidentiality, don’t hesitate to ask the staff directly.

After the Evaluation

Receiving Results

Once the addiction evaluation process is complete, the evaluator will usually discuss their findings with you right away. They’ll explain the diagnosis, recommend the next steps, and address any questions or concerns.

Next Steps

The results of your evaluation will guide the path forward. Here are some potential next steps:

  • Addiction treatment: If you have a substance use disorder, the evaluator will likely recommend starting treatment. They can discuss various treatment options with you, such as inpatient or outpatient programs, and help you find a program that best suits your needs.
  • Additional testing: In some cases, the evaluator might recommend further testing. This could involve seeing a specialist for a mental health assessment or undergoing additional medical tests to rule out any underlying physical conditions that might prevent you from participating in an addiction treatment program.
  • Referral to specialists: If you have a special need, your treatment team might refer you to other specialists for additional support. This could include, for example, medically supervised detox at a recommended detox center or a psychiatrist for medication management.

Finding and Choosing an Addiction Treatment Provider

When you’re ready to start treatment, finding the right program can make a world of difference. Here are some tips to help you choose a rehab that’s the right fit:

  • Treatment focus: Are you looking for treatment for a specific condition, or a program with specific therapies? Consider what type of program best suits your needs.
  • Credentials and staff: Take a look at the staff’s certifications and specializations. Look for experienced professionals with expertise in the areas you need to focus on.
  • Insurance coverage: Verify if the program accepts your insurance and find out what your out-of-pocket costs will be.
  • Location and amenities: Consider factors like the facility’s location, amenities, and the overall treatment environment. Does it feel comfortable and conducive to your recovery?
  • Reviews and recommendations: Read online reviews from past clients and seek recommendations from trusted sources like your therapist or primary care doctor.

Finding Solutions Together

The purpose of a substance abuse evaluation is simple: it’s how rehabs gather information on their patients, so they can help them. Once this in-depth assessment is complete, you’ll have a much clearer picture of your problems related to substance abuse—which is the first step to identifying the most effective solutions.

A comprehensive addiction treatment program can help you treat the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of your addiction, as well as uncover what’s driving it. Let this pivotal experience be a turning point in your life that puts you on the path to healing. 

To find a program that meets your needs, search for rehabs by location, insurance accepted, and more, and reach out to a center directly today. 

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Inpatient Drug Rehab Coverage: 7 Essential Insurance Facts You Need to Know

Making the decision to seek help for addiction is a huge step toward recovery. If you or your loved one is considering inpatient drug rehab, understanding insurance coverage is an important part of the process. 

Most rehab centers have dedicated staff who help patients navigate insurance coverage. These admissions specialists work directly with insurance companies to verify benefits and handle much of the paperwork. This is especially helpful when dealing with insurance details feels overwhelming—and when you need to focus on getting help for drug or alcohol addiction.

This guide breaks down the basics of inpatient rehab coverage, including private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid options. We’ll also explore payment plans, financial assistance programs, and what to expect during the admissions process. Fortunately, treatment centers are there to help with both recovery and the practical details that make treatment possible.

What Is Inpatient Drug Rehab?

Inpatient drug rehab is a residential treatment program where you stay at a facility 24/7 while receiving care for substance use disorders in a structured environment away from the triggers and stress of daily life. Programs typically last 28 days to several months and provide comprehensive care including individual therapy, group counseling, educational sessions, and wellness activities. 

This level of care is usually recommended for people with more severe drug addiction, those who have tried outpatient treatment without success, people who need medical supervision during withdrawal, and those who could benefit from time away from challenging home environments.

what is inpatient drug rehab benefits stats infographic

Insurance Coverage Basics for Inpatient Rehab

Understanding insurance coverage for rehab starts with knowing your plan type. Most health insurance plans cover some form of addiction treatment, but the details vary widely. There are 4 main types of health insurance plans that affect how your rehab is covered:

HMO plans require you to work with a primary care doctor who refers you to specialists, including addiction treatment. With an HMO, you may need your healthcare provider’s approval for inpatient rehab coverage.

PPO plans give you more freedom to choose providers. You’ll pay less for in-network facilities, but out-of-network rehabs may still offer some health coverage at a higher cost.

EPO plans work like HMOs but with fewer treatment provider options. Your rehab coverage depends on whether the treatment facility is in their network.

POS plans combine features of HMOs and PPOs. You’ll usually need a primary care doctor for referrals, but may have some out-of-network options at higher costs.

1. Most Private Insurance Plans Cover Inpatient Drug Rehabilitation

Most private insurance plans offer coverage for inpatient drug rehab.1 Major providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Humana typically include addiction treatment in their benefits. The amount covered varies by plan, but many cover a substantial portion of the costs.

A key factor affecting your costs is whether the rehab facility is in-network or out-of-network with your insurance policy. In-network means the facility has an agreement with your insurance company, resulting in lower out-of-pocket costs for you. Out-of-network treatment may still have some coverage, but you’ll likely pay more.

Rehab centers have dedicated staff who work directly with insurance companies. They handle verification calls, submit required paperwork, and sometimes even negotiate better coverage on your behalf. Many also help with appeals if your insurance initially denies coverage. The admissions team should explain what your plan covers before you commit to treatment, so you don’t encounter any surprise charges.

what inpatient rehab includes services list

2. Medicare Part A Pays for Medically Necessary Residential Treatment

Medicare covers inpatient drug and alcohol rehab (and partial hospitalization) primarily through Medicare Part A (hospital insurance).2 This includes services like room and board, nursing care, therapy, and medications during your stay.

While there’s no fixed limit on treatment plan length, Medicare requires that your care is medically necessary.3 This means your doctor needs to document that your condition requires treatment that can’t be provided in an intensive outpatient program. Coverage decisions are based on your individual needs rather than a predetermined number of days.

Rehabs that accept Medicare have staff who understand its guidelines and can help verify your coverage. They’ll explain any co-payments or deductibles you might be responsible for and ensure your drug or alcohol treatment meets Medicare’s requirements for coverage.

3. Medicaid Coverage Varies by State but Always Includes Some Treatment Options

Medicaid does cover inpatient drug rehab in all states,4 though coverage details vary depending on where you live. Since Medicaid is a joint federal and state program, each state creates its own rules about which treatment services are covered and for how long.

To qualify for Medicaid, you must meet income requirements and other eligibility criteria specific to your state. In states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, more people with substance use disorders can access coverage.

Finding rehabs that accept Medicaid can sometimes be challenging. Not all treatment centers participate in the program. However, many state-funded facilities and some private centers do accept Medicaid patients. When contacting a rehab center, always ask specifically about Medicaid acceptance. Their admissions team can verify your benefits and help you understand what’s covered. If they don’t accept Medicaid, many will refer you to facilities that do.

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4. The Mental Health Parity Act Requires Equal Coverage for Addiction Treatment

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act5 is an important law that helps people seeking addiction treatment. This law requires insurance companies to cover mental health care and substance abuse treatment at levels comparable to medical services. This means they can’t charge higher copays or set stricter limits just because you’re seeking addiction treatment.

5. Payment Options Exist for Rehab Without Insurance

Without insurance, inpatient drug rehab typically costs between $10,000 and upwards of $50,000 for a 30-day program. Luxury facilities or longer stays may cost considerably more. These costs cover everything from room and board to therapy for mental health conditions, medical care, and other services provided during treatment.

Many treatment centers offer options to make rehab more affordable. Sliding-scale fees adjust the cost based on your income. Some facilities offer payment plans so you can spread the cost over time instead of paying all at once.

Rehab admissions specialists can discuss financial options and help determine what might work for your situation. Some centers offer scholarships or reduced rates for those in financial need. While these options are limited and often have waiting lists, they’re worth exploring if you’re struggling financially.

6. Financial Assistance Programs Can Help Cover Costs Insurance Won’t

Beyond insurance, there are several ways to get help paying for addiction treatment. Many states have dedicated funding for substance use treatment through their departments of health or social services. These programs may cover part or all of the cost of inpatient care for eligible residents.

Some non-profit organizations offer scholarships or grants specifically for addiction treatment. These may include faith-based organizations and local charities.

Rehabs often know about various funding sources and can help you explore options you might not find on your own. Their admissions teams work with these programs regularly and understand how to navigate the application processes. Don’t hesitate to ask about financial assistance when contacting treatment centers—helping you access care is part of their job.

7. Rehab Centers Have Specialists Who Verify Your Benefits at No Cost

When you contact a rehab center, their admissions team can immediately begin helping you with insurance matters. The process typically starts with a brief assessment of your needs, followed by collection of your insurance information. With your permission, they’ll contact your insurance provider directly to verify your benefits.

During verification, the rehab center confirms what services are covered, how long treatment will be approved, and what out-of-pocket costs you’ll have. They’ll also handle any pre-authorization requirements and submit clinical information to justify your need for treatment.

All you’ll need to provide is your insurance card, ID, and permission for the facility to communicate with your insurance company. Beyond that, the admissions team handles most of the complex insurance work. They’ll explain your coverage in simple terms and answer any questions about the financial aspects of treatment.

If your insurance denies coverage, the rehab center can help with the appeals process. They’ll provide additional documentation or clarification about why inpatient treatment is medically necessary for your situation. Many facilities have high success rates with appeals because they understand what insurance companies need to approve coverage.

Taking Action on Insurance Coverage Today Removes Barriers to Recovery

Choosing a better life is brave, and you deserve support every step of the way—including with concerns about insurance and payment. Most rehab centers have staff ready to help you navigate these details so you can focus on healing.

That said, being your own advocate throughout this process is important. If you encounter roadblocks, don’t be afraid to ask specific questions like “What documentation do you need for approval?” or “Why isn’t this service covered and what are my alternatives?” Keep records of all conversations, including names and reference numbers.

If you can’t get clear answers, you may want to call a different rehab. Your treatment center should have no problem providing all the information you need to make an informed decision about your care. 

It’s common to find this process overwhelming. Your loved ones can help make calls, organize paperwork, or attend meetings with admissions. Having support makes navigating these systems less overwhelming during an already difficult time.

When dealing with insurance matters, persistence pays off. Your recovery is worth fighting for, and you deserve access to the care you need.

Search for a rehab that takes your insurance and contact their admissions team today to explore your options. The path to recovery starts with a single call.

FAQs

Q: What insurance covers inpatient rehab? 

A: Most private insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and some state health insurance programs cover inpatient rehab. The exact coverage depends on your specific plan.

Q: How many weeks of inpatient rehab does Medicare cover? 

A: Medicare doesn’t set a specific time limit but covers medically necessary treatment. Coverage is evaluated based on your ongoing treatment needs rather than a fixed number of weeks.

Q: What is the 60% rule in inpatient rehab? 

A: The 60% rule applies to inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and requires that at least 60% of patients have specific qualifying medical conditions. This typically doesn’t impact substance use disorder treatment centers.

Q: How much is inpatient rehab without insurance? 

A: Inpatient drug rehab typically costs $10,000 to upwards of $50,000 for a 30-day program without insurance, though costs vary by facility and services provided.

Q: Does Medicaid cover inpatient drug rehab? 

A: Yes, Medicaid covers inpatient drug rehab in all states, though coverage details vary by state. Contact your state Medicaid office or a treatment center for specific information.