It’s no secret that the need for long term drug rehab is great. Doctors have now concluded that this is a disease that needs treatment, but it still does not get the funding required to deal with the number of people requiring services to break from its hold over their life.
The problem of addiction is not confined to homeless people living on the street or to low income groups. It can, and does affect teens and young adults, middle-aged people and seniors. Clients who seek help at long term recovery programs come from many different backgrounds. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, only about 1 in 10 of the 23 million Americans who have drug or alcohol problems receives treatment. Part of the problem is that this disease still carries a sense of shame and stigma, but lack of coverage is another important issue.
Insurance Coverage For Low And Middle-Income Earners
The new Affordable Care Act will help to provide insurance for many lower and middle-income earners. People in this income group looking for services from long term drug treatment centers may find it difficult to get the help they need because they may not be covered under an employer benefit program or qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. If private coverage is not affordable, then the cost of paying for addiction treatment may not fit into their budget.
The new law will provide subsidies for people to buy private insurance coverage. This will make it easier for people who need addiction treatment to be able to take the time they need to get well. The disease of addiction did not develop overnight, and the appropriate time for treatment will take some time as well.
In-patient Treatment For Drug And Alcohol Addiction
When a client enters a long term care facility with a 12 step program to get help for a drug or alcohol problem, he or she may need to start by going through detoxification (detox) before starting treatment for the addiction itself. Each client’s needs are evaluated individually, and a treatment plan is made to address them.
With a long-term stay, clients can get counseling, participate in group activities, and go to 12-step program meetings. They can take the time to delve into the underlying reasons why they became addicted and learn new behaviors while they have the support of the staff at the treatment facility. This work is a necessary part of the process to achieve the goal of long-term sobriety, especially if the addiction has been a part of the client’s life for a number of years. Taking the time to address this illness carefully is time well spent, and it pays off in lower relapse rates and more serenity, joy, and peace for addicted individuals.