There are thousands of state and federally funded treatment beds available across the nation, and most people in real financial distress will qualify for at least some degree of subsidized care. Some of the facilities offer very comprehensive services, access to great medical care and a very high standard of treatment.
Most programs are designed for people living in poverty, and are not well set up to meet the needs of the substantial numbers of people who do not live in poverty, but at the same time do not have good private health insurance and cannot afford to self finance a very expensive period of residence at a private rehab.
Additionally, due to great demand and limited availability, virtually all state funded treatment beds will maintain a long waiting list. When someone decides to get help for an addiction, therapists encourage that person to get help immediately, before they change their mind, or circumstances change. A long wait time is far from ideal, and derails the transient good intentions of far too many people suffering through addictions.
Still, because many of these facilities do offer quality care, and because this care may be accessed either free of charge or at very low cost, as a good initial step you should call your state health services agency to find out your options. It may not work out, but if a couple of hours of assessment and phone calls gets you into free treatment in a timely manner, your time will have been well spent.
What you need to do?
Call the phone number for your state social services office. These offices are for addictions help so they are ready to assist you in finding care. You will want to ask:
Are subsidized services offered for people with your income?
Where exactly you need to go?
What times each day are assessments done?
What documents you will need to bring?
Do you need to be sober for the assessment?
How long is the waiting list for residential care?
It may not work, you may not be eligible, and the waiting list for service may be unreasonably long; but before you pay for care you cannot afford, or before you give up in frustration on the whole exercise, you should take a few hours to find out whether or not the state can help.
If it works, it’s the best available option.
Remember, you can get better, people do everyday, and you’ll never regret anything you do that gets you there.
