While the cases of teen opioid abuse are decreasing overall, the risk of opioid misuse rises again after the age of 18. In Los Angeles, teens are at higher risk of taking non-prescribed drugs, and many develop dependency and addiction. Adolescent opiate addiction treatment programs can educate them on how to live comfortably while being clean. It is not just about becoming sober in a qualified and monitored treatment program; it’s also about understanding how to stay sober in the world outside.
Your child will also learn to deal with challenging situations without using drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. They will learn how to create and achieve personal goals and discover how to live a peaceful and positive lifestyle. The therapies will also allow them to love themselves and be productive in all aspects of life. Here is a guide to walk you through the possible costs you may need for your child’s recovery from opioid misuse and addiction.
Costs of Teen Opioid Treatments
The cost of outpatient detox ranges between $1,000 and $1,500, depending on whether it is part of an inpatient program and what kind of drug addiction is being treated. Substances with potentially harmful withdrawal symptoms need more careful supervision, resulting in a higher expense.
To provide a comprehensive basis for the cost of opioid treatment, the US Department of Defense has released preliminary expense projections for medication treatment in a registered opioid treatment program (OTP):
- $126 per week or $6,552 per year for methadone therapy, which includes medications and combined behavioral and medical services, assuming daily visits.
- $115 per week or $5,980 per year for buprenorphine in a qualified OTP for a stable client, with medication and at least twice per week visits.
- $1,176 per month or $14,112 per year for naltrexone provided in a licensed OTP, including medicines and administering services.
Outpatient addiction treatment is less expensive than inpatient treatment for mild to moderate levels of addiction. For a three-month program, patients may spend around $5,000. This value is estimated by how frequently and for how long your teen visits the facility.
According to a 2018 article in the Journal of Pain Research, the estimated price of inpatient therapy is $4,383. For a 30-day treatment, certain inpatient rehabs may cost approximately $6,000, although this can go up to $20,000 at well-known institutions. The overall average price for individuals seeking 60-day or 90-day programs might vary from $12,000 to $60,000. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, patients diagnosed with diabetes spend $3,560 per year on medical services, whereas those diagnosed with renal diseases spend $5,624 annually.
Note that teen opioid rehab facilities are not nearly as costly as dealing with an opioid addiction itself. Alcohol and drug addicts are more prone than sober people to take longer times off work and change employers, which negatively influences their earnings and credibility. The drug costs, legal troubles, medical problems, and decreased work productivity pile up over time. However, one of the most common methods to pay for treatment is through insurance. The insurance company determines the coverage provided and what the rehab facility accepts.
Effectiveness of Opioid Rehab: Is It Worth the Money?
With 47,600 overdose fatalities recorded in 2017, the rising prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) has led to an upsurge of opioid-related morbidities. Furthermore, despite reductions in prescription opioids, making OUD treatment more accessible should be a top priority.
Methadone therapy promotes results even when administered without frequent counseling sessions. Compared to a person’s impulse controls, methadone patients had 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and were 4.44 times more willing to pursue the treatment. Additionally, there was a 20% death rate among individuals who were not kept in therapy. According to a meta-analysis, patients on buprenorphine prescriptions of 16 mg or more per day were 1.82 times more willing to continue treatment than placebo-treated patients. Buprenorphine also reduced the incidence of opioid-positive drug samples by more than 14%.
According to research by NIDA, a buprenorphine/naloxone combination and an extended-release naltrexone formulation are equally beneficial in combating OUD after treatment. Because naltrexone requires complete detox first, it is difficult to start therapy for active opiate users.
According to a recently concluded cost-effectiveness analysis, improved access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is linked to decreases in fatalities from OUD. The limited availability of MAT restricts access to cost-effective medical assistance that lowers OUD-related deaths. Since COVID-19 has boosted drug use, increased anxiety and social isolation, and interfered with opioid therapy, opioid fatalities in the United States were projected to hit a new high in 2020 and 2021. As such, understanding the expenses of alternate types of MAT for treating OUD is vital.
Reasons Why Treatment Centers Have Varying Charges
All the costs, as mentioned earlier, are just estimates or average expenses for treatment centers. However, they may differ according to the following factors:
- Treatments Offered in the Facility — Some clients do not require medical detox when they first enter treatment. For instance, cocaine rarely causes hazardous withdrawal symptoms, so medical detox is not needed. However, heroin addicts frequently have severe withdrawal symptoms during detoxification, necessitating medical treatment. Rehab costs are higher for those who require more intense professional treatment.
- Type of Treatment Centers — Inpatient treatments have greater expenses due to the additional accommodation and intensive care requirements. They also vary depending on the duration and location of the program. A treatment clinic in higher cost-of-living states or cities, like Los Angeles, might be more expensive.
- Available Amenities — The services provided by a treatment center are not free. Massages, swimming pools, sports areas, scheduled outdoor trips, spacious private rooms, and chefs are just a few of the services available in some rehab facilities. The monthly cost of a luxury facility might range in the tens of thousands of dollars. While most rehabs are not as pricey, additional features imply a greater cost.
Should You Treat Your Teen at Home or Go to a Rehab Facility?
Addiction is a chronic condition that cannot be treated by merely quitting drugs for a few days. To remain sober for life, most people require long-term or recurring treatments.
It is dangerous for teens to try to quit drugs on their own. They should detox in a supervised, clinical environment such as a rehab center if they have been taking drugs for a long time.
Withdrawal from certain opioids can significantly increase blood pressure, sleeplessness, tremors, increased anxiety, psychosis, and dehydration, among other things. Rehabilitation and treatment programs can assist your kid in gaining a better understanding of themselves.
Rehab centers can also assist teenagers in forming new and meaningful relationships. They will form healthy connections with peers going through the same situation. Group therapy, peer activities, coaches, and other support groups will ensure the success of their healing process.