Pros and Cons of State-Funded Drug Rehab

What is State-Funded Drug Rehab?

That is where the state-funded drug rehab comes into play. These facilities target those living in poverty, have lower-incomes, do not have a quality health insurance plan or for any other reason cannot possibly afford to private pay for addiction treatment. As the name itself suggests, these detox clinics and drug rehab centers are funded by the state. If a patient does not have insurance or cannot pay for the overall costs necessary, they can attend these programs free of charge. These state-sponsored clinics might not have the same accommodations that many of the private recovery facilities do, but that does not mean that they cannot help users who need it. The funding granted to these recovery programs varies state to state, which means that the different centers across the nation can greatly vary in the treatments and services that they are able to offer the patient.

What are the Benefits?

There are a number of benefits to these programs. The following two are the main benefits cited by former patients:

• The cost – Many of these programs are available free of charge for eligible participants. Even though the procedures may not be as up-to-date as with privacy rehab and though the facility might not be as nice as luxury treatment options, some patients are simply unable to spend even a dime on treatment. The first step is finding help. Getting help at these facilities is certainly better than no help at all.
• The care – Even with some of the drawbacks, the specialists that work at these facilities still have a good understanding of what they are doing. Even taking into account that the facilities might not be as upscale, it does not mean a patient cannot recover in a state-sponsored program.

What are the Drawbacks?

Just as with any program, there are some disadvantages in selecting a state-funded rehab facility, as well.

The following are some of the more significant disadvantages:

• The Waiting List – Addiction is a serious problem that will often alienate people from their friends and family members. Many people struggling with dependence do not start finding help until they already have a massive debt, lost their job, or have serious physical issues, or perhaps a combination of all three. Research has shown that it is important to move quickly when a long-term user is willing to seek help. Not only is the motivation usually temporary (meaning that you may have to convince them all over again, later on) but it is important to move fast in order to avoid further physical and emotional damage. Considering some recovery programs may have upwards of a six-month wait-list, you can understand why it goes against everything we have just mentioned.
• The Revolving Door – Given that these programs have limited funds and limited capacity, there are some patients who believe that they might be released from the facility before their treatment is ‘complete’. This leads to them feeling alienated from the whole concept and makes them less likely to attend rehab again in the future.
• Outdated Techniques – With a limited budget, it is no surprise that these facilities sometimes have to make do with what they have. This means that they occasionally use the same methodology that has been around for decades because upgrades cost money. However, the field of addiction science is constantly evolving, continuously coming up with new developments. This is not to say that the older techniques might not work, but they might not be as effective. These programs often rely on the AA / 12-step program.
• Privacy – Many patients feel uncomfortable sharing information about their dependency with government institutions. Because they have no idea how many people are likely to attend or who they might encounter in rehabilitation, some feel that it is better to find an alternative option a little farther away.