Drug & Alcohol Rehab: Treatment Options, Costs, and How to Choose

If you need professional support to recover from substance use, there are several rehab settings to consider. Each setting provides support for varying needs and risk levels, creating a highly personalized experience that can put you on the path to long-term recovery. In this guide, you’ll learn about the most common types of rehab settings, how to prepare for rehab and what to expect after rehab ends.

A rehab setting describes where and how you receive care, such as residential treatment or telehealth therapy from home. Settings are different from therapy modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which are the clinical approaches incorporated into an addiction treatment plan.

Most people receive a combination of therapies within the rehab setting that matches their safety and clinical needs. The safest setting depends on your risk of relapse, the potential for severe withdrawal symptoms and the amount of stability and support you have at home.

Rehab program length often changes the depth of work you do in therapy. It can also affect discharge planning, including your ability to build healthy routines.

A 30-day rehab program is best for stabilizing your mental and physical health, starting therapy and building a basic recovery plan. Short-term programs can also help you transition to continuing care.

Before enrolling in a short-term rehab program, verify that discharge planning starts early. You should also be able to plan for step-down care before the program ends. Step-down care involves moving from a higher intensity of care to a lower one, such as going from inpatient treatment to partial hospitalization.

Short-term rehab may not be a fit if you have a history of repeated relapses, need more time for stabilization or have co-occurring mental health conditions.

You may benefit from a 60-day rehab program if you need more time to address previous relapse patterns, practice your coping skills or plan your transition to a lower level of care. Before committing to a 60-day rehab duration, make sure the program offers dual diagnosis support. You have a dual diagnosis if you have a substance use disorder (SUD) accompanied by at least one other mental health condition (co-occurring disorders), such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The rehab should also have a clear plan for days 31 to 60, not just a repeat of the first 30 days. Although 60-day programs offer several benefits, they may not be a match for people who need long-term support due to a lack of structure or housing instability.

Enrolling in a 90-day rehab program gives you more time to stabilize your mental health and focus on building effective recovery routines. Extended treatment also offers stronger transition planning and service coordination.

If you think long-term rehab matches your needs, verify that the program has measurable goals, offers continuing care planning and sets realistic expectations regarding recovery outcomes. Extended rehab may not be a fit if you’re capable of succeeding in a lower level of care and have safe housing and strong support.

Inpatient or residential treatment provides 24/7 care in a live-in setting. Some programs are hospital-based, while others use home-like residential settings.

Inpatient treatment and residential programs may be a good fit for people who have a high risk of relapse or withdrawal, unsafe living conditions or mental health needs requiring close monitoring. Quality programs should help coordinate step-down care and follow-up appointments as part of discharge planning.

Outpatient treatment differs from inpatient rehab because you don’t live at a treatment facility. Instead, you live at home or stay in a sober living house. Outpatient settings allow you to participate in therapy, skill-building groups and other therapeutic activities while maintaining employment or managing household responsibilities.

The intensity of outpatient rehab varies based on your needs. It’s common to move through several levels of intensity as you build new skills and improve your ability to cope with triggers.

Partial hospitalization is highly structured, so it typically involves at least 20 hours of treatment weekly, per the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. It’s ideal for people who can live at home safely while completing rehab.

If you’re considering a PHP program, a few things to verify before you enroll include:

• Weekly schedule. Find out how many days per week and hours per day you must attend treatment.
• Medical oversight (if applicable). If you have a medical or psychiatric condition, ask if the rehab center has appropriate medical oversight.
• Coordination of mental health services. It’s common for people with substance use disorders to have other mental health conditions. Find out if the rehab is willing to coordinate therapy and other services before you complete treatment.

Intensive outpatient treatment takes place 5 to 7 hours per week, but it’s less intense than partial hospitalization, as it requires at least 9 hours of weekly care, per the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). IOPs are often best for people who need the support of structured groups while maintaining employment or other responsibilities, if appropriate.

If you think an IOP program matches your needs, make sure the rehab program offers strong relapse prevention, support for cravings between sessions and a solid plan for helping you find step-up care if your needs change.

Standard outpatient counseling still provides structure, but it requires the lowest number of hours of any outpatient treatment option. It’s best for ongoing therapy, medication management and support following a higher level of care. You may also benefit from standard outpatient rehab if you have a low risk of relapse or severe withdrawal symptoms.

When you’re assessing a standard outpatient program, it’s important to verify:

• Session frequency
• Crisis planning
• Dual diagnosis support (if needed)

Specialty rehab settings are variations of standard treatment programs. They exist at all levels of care, so it’s possible to find a specialty program that suits your clinical needs and personal preferences.

Luxury rehabs are often located in premium environments, such as beachfront estates or mountain resorts. They typically offer high-end amenities, such as private rooms, gourmet meals or hotel-style bedding.

It’s nice to have high-end amenities, but it’s more important that you have access to quality clinical care. Before signing up for a luxury rehab program, make sure it’s accredited and has the required state license (if applicable). It should also have experienced clinicians on staff and provide the level of intensity you need for therapy and aftercare.

An LGBTQ+-friendly rehab has inclusive policies designed to eliminate stigma and help all individuals feel like they belong. Inclusive addiction treatment may also include trauma-informed care, affirming therapy groups and respectful housing arrangements when needed.

If inclusivity is important to you, make sure the treatment center you’re considering has:

• Strong nondiscrimination policies
• Integrated mental health support
• Privacy protections
• Training to help staff members address issues specific to LGBTQ+ individuals

Rehab for veterans typically incorporates the practices of veteran-informed care, which recognizes the unique physical, mental and cultural needs of those who served in the military. When appropriate, veteran rehab programs coordinate with outside services, ensuring that individuals in recovery have access to continued recovery support.

Before enrolling in a rehab program for veterans, make sure the treatment center has:

• Integrated care for substance use and PTSD
• Strong privacy protections
• Clear pathways for follow-up care

Dual diagnosis rehab typically includes integrated support for co-occurring disorders. It may be appropriate if you have anxiety, depression or another mental health condition that affects and is affected by your substance use.

If you need dual diagnosis support, verify that the rehab offers:

• Psychiatric support
• Medication management
• Crisis planning
• Coordination with other treatment providers

Holistic and complementary rehab settings combine evidence-based therapies with supportive care. These rehab types may include meditation, wellness support and gentle movement to support your physical, spiritual and mental health.

Before committing to holistic rehab, make sure evidence-based therapies are at the core of the program. Complementary therapies should be an add-on, not the main focus. It’s also important to verify that holistic supports don’t replace clinical therapy or detox when needed.

Faith-based rehab programs offer support that aligns with your religious beliefs. For example, there are programs for members of the Protestant or Catholic faiths.

Before enrolling, find out if the program offers choice-based care, which encourages active participation in treatment. You should also verify that evidence-based clinical care is at the core of the program. If you have a co-occurring disorder, find out if the rehab offers dual diagnosis support.

Sober living gives you access to a structured, substance-free environment after you complete a treatment program. It may be a fit if you need more time to practice your skills and build healthy routines after completing a treatment program.

Choose the right living environment by asking about:

• Written rules
• Relapse policies
• Costs and insurance coverage
• Coordination of outpatient support services

Telehealth addiction treatment allows you to access therapy and recovery support remotely instead of visiting a hospital, clinic or therapist’s office. Hybrid support combines telehealth care with some in-person care.

Before starting addiction therapy online, confirm that this treatment approach is a good fit for your risk level. You should always verify the provider’s credentials and make sure they’re prepared to help if you need crisis support.

No rehab exists that’s right for everyone, no matter how many amenities it has or who’s managing the program. It will still only be right for some people. Here’s how to choose a rehab setting based on your unique needs:

1. Put safety first. Your safety is the most important consideration. If you have a high risk of overdose or severe withdrawal symptoms, you may need supervised medical detox or inpatient/residential care.
2. Match the setting to your circumstances. Think about your risk of relapse, housing stability and support system. Inpatient or residential treatment might be a better fit if you have an unstable environment, lack a strong support system or have a history of multiple relapses. Outpatient care may fit if you have lower risk levels.
3. Consider your co-occurring mental health needs. If you have depression, anxiety or another co-occurring disorder, look for a treatment center that can provide integrated support.
4. Plan ahead for discharge. Quality programs offer discharge planning and care coordination to help you continue the recovery process.

Interventions are planned conversations that focus on safety and boundaries. Once everyone has a chance to share, it’s important to offer a clear treatment option. This method removes barriers to treatment entry and allows for quick action if your loved one feels ready to change. The goal is to make the next step easier, such as scheduling an assessment, offering a ride to intake or confirming an admission date.

Some families use a professional interventionist to reduce conflict and keep the conversation structured. Safety always comes first, especially if there’s a risk of overdose or a mental health crisis.

Knowing how to prepare for rehab can make the process less stressful. The first step is to gather essentials, such as:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Insurance card
• List of medications
• Basic medical history

Next, take care of logistics. If you’re employed, you may need to take a leave of absence or fill out paperwork for short-term disability payments. Many people have to hire pet sitters, make child care arrangements or ask family members to collect their mail. If you’re in school, ask about taking medical leave.

Every rehab has different policies, so find out what’s allowed in terms of phone use and visitors. You should also ask about what to pack for rehab, especially if you’re starting a nature-based program with a lot of outdoor activities.

If you have a risk of withdrawal, ask about detox timing. You may need to change your admission date to ensure you have enough time to detox safely.

After rehab, you may use step-down treatment to continue building confidence and strengthening your recovery skills. For example, you might transition from residential rehab to partial hospitalization and then from partial hospitalization to intensive outpatient care.

If you have an unstable home environment or if your home has many triggers, you might benefit from staying in a sober living home. Medication follow-ups are also common, especially if you’ve been taking methadone or another prescription to help with opioid cravings.

Before leaving rehab, you’ll create a relapse-prevention plan with coping tools, support contacts and steps to follow if you have a setback. Once you complete treatment, following this plan can help you keep your recovery on track.

When choosing a rehab, there are a few warning signs you should know. Certain red flags may indicate that a treatment center isn’t using evidence-based therapies, following national accrediting guidelines or providing quality addiction treatment.

Watch for these rehab red flags:

• No clear information related to the program’s accreditation or licensing
• Vague answers about emergency procedures, staffing or medical oversight
• One-size-fits-all recommendations without a thorough review of your needs
• High-pressure tactics, refusal to answer questions or promises of guaranteed outcomes
• No step-down coordination or discharge planning
• Refusal to explain costs, insurance coverage or patient rights up front

The cost of rehab varies based on several factors, including:

• Level of care
• Length of stay
• Location
• Medical services
• Specialty services
• Staffing ratios

If you have health insurance, it may reduce your out-of-pocket rehab costs. However, whether a treatment center is in-network or out-of-network can make a difference.

An in-network provider has a contract with your insurance company. This contract requires them to accept discounted reimbursement rates. As a result, in-network care is often less expensive.

Some plans cover out-of-network services, but you may have to pay more. For example, if you pay 20% coinsurance for in-network facilities, you may have to pay 50% coinsurance for an out-of-network rehab. The availability of out-of-network coverage varies based on insurance providers and plan types.

When using insurance, you may have to meet requirements for medical necessity or prior authorization. These restrictions can affect the number of days of treatment your insurer will cover.

Protect your finances by getting the following information in writing:

• An estimate of your out-of-pocket costs
• Details on what’s included in the estimate (e.g., therapy, medications, meals)
• What services might be billed by third-party providers

Seeking professional support is one of the best ways to preserve your physical and mental well-being. If you’re ready to seek treatment, start by considering your safety needs. Then you can use the information in this guide to compare rehabs.

Help.org can help you find the rehab setting that matches your preferences, clinical needs and safety concerns.