Alcoholism costs Ontario more than $5 billion annually. Yet, the figure does not include the cost of treatment for individuals suffering from alcohol use disorders. Private alcohol rehab in Toronto costs anywhere from $5,000 to more than $60,000. Why such a large range? Rehab centres use dozens of factors to determine the price of alcohol addiction treatment. There are also free and low-cost alcohol treatment programs available to people who can not afford private care. However, these programs are lower in quality and have drawbacks that private treatment does not. What are the different factors that affect the price of rehab for alcoholism? We will talk about each of them in this post.
Different Types of Alcohol Treatments
The number one determining factor in the rehab cost is the type of treatment someone chooses. In general, addicts can pick from support groups, public addiction clinics, and private treatment facilities.
Support groups are free, while treatment facilities cost the most. As we explain next, the cost increases with the level and quality of care.
Support Groups
Support groups are places where people dealing with similar struggles can gather and discuss their experiences. For example, alcoholism support group members struggle with or recover from alcohol addiction.
These groups typically do not cost anything to join. At the same time, members do not receive the same level of professional help as they would in a more formal treatment setting.
Addiction Clinics
Addiction clinics are places where people struggling with substance use disorders can receive outpatient care. By outpatient, we mean that addiction clinic patients do not reside at the clinic.
Clinics provide medical services, including diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care. These outpatient addiction services are free in Canada. However, not all clinics specialize in the treatment of alcohol addiction.
Treatment Facilities
Treatment facilities are also known as rehabilitation centres or just rehab. These healthcare providers offer various treatment options and programs for people suffering from addiction or a mental health disorder.
Though rehab tends to be the highest-cost treatment option, it provides the most specialized care. As such, patients can get insurance coverage for rehab if it’s medically necessary.
How Much Does Alcohol Rehab in Toronto Cost?
Alcohol rehab in Toronto costs anywhere from $5,000 to more than $60,000. This price range is so wide because multiple factors go into determining the total cost, including the length of stay and program type.
Rehab centres offer numerous types of programs. For example, inpatient programs allow patients 24/7 medical supervision and support while staying at the facility. Outpatient programs provide more flexibility.
For more information, check out our blog post, What to Look for When Choosing a Rehab Centre. Or keep reading to learn more about the main factors that make up the total cost of rehab.
Private vs. Public Rehab
Private rehab centres are run by individuals or companies. The Canadian government runs public treatment centres for addiction. People who can not afford the cost of private rehab can apply for a public program.
On the positive side, inpatient and outpatient services at public rehab facilities are free in Canada. Outpatient services are best for people with mild addictions. Those with severe addictions need an inpatient program.
The downside to public rehabs is that waiting lists are long, the programs are not customized to the patient, and therapies are limited. Also, public rehabs do not offer aftercare programs, which greatly increase long-term recovery rates.
Due to these setbacks, public rehab programs have lower success rates. Many people with alcohol addiction prefer to pay more for higher-quality care at a private treatment facility.
Patients do not have to sit on waitlists for months at a time to get in. Plus, private rehabs offer tailored treatment solutions for individual patients. There are dozens of therapies and aftercare programs to choose from, too.
Private Program Type
Outpatient and inpatient programs come with very different price tags. Patients only pay for the treatment services they receive with outpatient programs. The patient must also pay for room and board with an inpatient program.
Private inpatient rehab costs anywhere from $6,000 to $60,000, depending on the length of stay (more on this next). The price covers the cost of treatment services, room and board, and medication.
A private outpatient rehab centre is much less expensive, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The exact price someone pays depends on the services they need, whether they choose virtual or in-person treatment and more.
As mentioned earlier, outpatient programs are only suitable for people with mild addictions. They are also a good choice for inpatient program dischargees. Outpatient services are the main component of many aftercare programs.
People struggling with moderate to severe alcohol use disorders need inpatient services. Staying at the facility helps residents avoid temptation. Plus, they can receive a higher level of support.
Length of Stay
Length of stay is only a cost factor for private inpatient programs. Patients do not reside at the treatment centre where they receive care, so the price range for outpatient care is much narrower.
The cost for a stay at a private inpatient rehab facility differs depending on whether someone chooses a 30 or 90-day program. A 30-day program may cost $6,000–$15,000, while a 90-day program costs $15,000–$60,000.
Some programs offer the choice to stay for 60 days, the cost of which will sit somewhere between these two price ranges. Others allow patients to stay for even longer. For example, they may offer one or even two-year programs.
The longer a patient stays in rehab, the higher the ultimate cost. Patients must pay for additional hours in therapy and more days of room and board.
Other Cost Factors
A similar inpatient program may have a different price tag depending on the facility. The difference comes from additional cost factors such as the following:
- Staff-to-patient ratios
- Room availability
- Alcohol rehab amenities
- Staff training and credentials
- Shared vs private rooms
- Supplemental services
- Aftercare planning and administration
Also, make sure to ask about the cost structure when comparing rehab programs. Some programs quote an all-inclusive price. Others may add on costs throughout the patient’s stay.
Outpatient Alcohol Rehab in Toronto
Those concerned about the cost of alcohol treatment can consider an outpatient alcohol rehab program in Toronto. Outpatient programs tend to be the most affordable rehab option since patients don’t stay at the facility where they receive treatment.
These programs are not suitable for alcoholics who need to detox. However, someone could technically attend a medically-supervised detox program before switching to outpatient treatment.
Learn more about the options for outpatient treatment below.
Traditional Outpatient Programs
Traditional outpatient programs are also known as intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). Patients can live at home during the 2–4 months that they attend sessions.
Most IOPs require participants to receive at least nine hours of outpatient treatment weekly. For example, someone may go to the rehab facility three days a week for at least three hours per session.
Treatment sessions consist of individual, group, or family therapy or a combination of these. Participants may also attend educational sessions to learn about the impacts of alcoholism use and abuse.
Counselling does not just have to pertain to addiction. People can also get help for co-occurring mental health conditions during outpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder. We’ll talk more about these services in a moment.
Virtual Outpatient Programs
With the rise of telehealth over the past few years, it should be no wonder that there are now virtual alcohol addiction outpatient programs, too. Like regular IOPs, these programs are best suited for people with mild alcoholism.
Traditional IOPs allow flexibility for people who live busy lifestyles. They can work or go to school while getting treatment. Virtual alcohol rehab offers even more flexibility since patients do not have to leave home to attend sessions.
As with traditional IOPs, patients meet at least three times a week for three hours at a time. With a WiFi connection, patients can connect to virtual sessions via smartphone, tablet, or laptop from home, at work, or anywhere else.
The only downside to virtual programs is the lack of human connection. For this reason, virtual IOPs may be best suited for people with strong support systems at home.
Alcohol Rehab in Toronto Treatment Options
At Simcoe, we offer various treatment options for alcohol use disorder. Here is a sampling of the services we provide.
Mental Health Services
Alcoholism commonly co-occurs with mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Getting help for co-occurring mental health conditions is part of a holistic approach to addiction treatment.
Mental health services may include traditional forms of therapy like CBT or DBT. Patients may also incorporate alternative therapies like art therapy, mindfulness, and meditation into their custom treatment plans.
Emotional Support Services
Overcoming alcohol addiction is an arduous process. Healing may bring up a lot of emotions along the way. Luckily, most programs offer emotional support through group and/or family therapy sessions.
Studies show that lacking a solid support system is one of the top predictors of post-rehab relapse. Getting emotional support during rehab and after discharge may help patients stay clean from alcohol for longer.
Behavioural Support Services
Alcoholism is a mental health disorder. Yet, it also has a close connection to disorderly behaviour. After all, many people start drinking as a coping mechanism for mental health disorders, stress, and childhood trauma.
Behavioural therapies can help alcoholics identify their negative coping mechanisms. Then, they can learn new habits to use instead of alcohol when they feel triggered in the real world.
Medication
Rehab centres offer two different types of medication for alcoholics. The first are medications meant to help ease alcohol withdrawals during detox. Anxiolytics, sedatives, and vitamin infusions help with alcohol withdrawals.
There are also post-rehab drugs to help reduce cravings. They may also prevent relapse. These prescription medications include Antabuse, Naltrexone, and Campral.
Aftercare
Aftercare treatment programs help people transition from inpatient to outpatient care. They take the form of weekly group meetings. The group is made up of other recovering alcoholics.
These programs can last as long as someone needs them. Sometimes, people choose to attend group sessions for a lifetime.
Family Support
Alcoholism often takes just as big of a toll on families as on the person suffering from addiction. At Simcoe, we recognize this phenomenon. We offer our family integration program specifically to help families of addicts.
Our program will teach families how to restore damaged relationships. Then, our professionals will give family members tools to communicate better about boundaries, needs, and how to support their loved one better .
Can You Force an Alcoholic Into Rehab?
No, you can not force someone into rehab in Canada. There are only two exceptions to this rule. According to the Ontario Mental Health Act, involuntary rehab admittance is only legal if:
- The person is a danger to themself or others
- The person needs to be hospitalized due to negative health symptoms
The Mental Health Act does not only apply to adults. It also covers minors. Parents can not force their child into rehab without the child’s consent except in the above circumstances.
Is Rehab Free in Canada?
Public rehab is free in Canada, but a stay at a private rehab centre is not free. Medically necessary care received at a treatment facility does qualify for insurance benefits, though, which can lower the cost of care.
Addiction Rehab Toronto Resources
Do you need help with alcohol addiction as soon as possible? Use the following resources to get the support you need now. Then, come back here to contact us for admissions information.
- The Center for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH):
- 416-535-8501 ext. 6128
- https://www.camh.ca/en/your-care/programs-and-services
- CAMH Emergency Line: 416-535-8501
- CAMH 24-Hour Line: 416-535-8501 ext. 6885
- The Toronto Distress Center: 416-408-4357
- ConnexOntario 24-Hour Line: 1-866-531-2600
AlcoholRehabToronto.com can help people suffering from alcohol addiction find inpatient, outpatient, and counselling service providers like Simcoe.
Need Treatment for Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol treatment ranges from free to tens of thousands of dollars. The exact cost a patient pays depends on many factors, including whether or not they go to a private treatment centre.
Private alcoholism programs can cost $5,000 to $60,000. Outpatient programs are the most affordable. 90-day inpatient residential programs tend to cost the most since you live at the treatment centre.
Are you searching for alcohol rehab in Toronto? At Simcoe, we offer affordable inpatient, outpatient, and virtual services. Contact us today to learn more about our admissions process and get the help you deserve.
