How to Pay for Detox for Meth

If you've been putting off detox for meth because you're not sure how to pay for it, you should know that there are numerous ways to fund treatment, even if you are not able to pay with cash and don't have insurance. This article discusses a number of ways to pay for detox for meth - a critical need considering the epidemic state of meth addiction in the US (NIH/NIDA Fact Sheets on Methamphetamine) and the fact that dependency on this drug leads to rapid and severe physical deterioration and health impairment.

Employer Sponsored Insurance

One of the most common ways of paying for drug detox is through an employer-sponsored medical insurance program. Unfortunately, many meth addicts with this type of insurance do not use it because they fear reprisal from their employer. However, in many cases addicts seeking treatment are covered by FMLA and other policies that prevent termination while an addict is seeking help. In fact, in some cases the employer may fund treatment through its insurance without knowing exactly what the treatment is for. This is most often the case with EAP or Employee Assistance Programs, which can make treatment arrangements independently of HR and other employer departments.

Private Insurance

Private insurance can help to pay for treatment, but even if you don't have your own you may still be covered under another plan - especially plans that are funded by your parents and include you as a covered party.

Credit Card

If you have the means to make the minimum monthly payment, charging a detox program to your credit card can get you the treatment you need. Of course, you'll need to keep in mind that you'll probably pay at least some interest on the amount you charge, and it could take a year or two to pay off the total balance. However, without treatment you'll almost certainly fall into further debt and possibly destroy your career, family, relationships, and educational opportunities in addition to potentially being incarcerated or killed as a result of your involvement with meth - a drug highly associated with violence.

Cash

You might not have enough cash in your bank account to pay for detox all at once, but many people seeking to enter a recovery program are able to raise capital through a number of means. This includes liquidating some or all of a 401K, IRA or similar investment vehicle, borrowing money from friends or family, withdrawing from savings accounts, taking cash out of a life insurance policy and many other methods. If you need advice on how to access enough of your capital to pay for treatment, consider consulting with a professional financial advisor.

Financing

If your credit is in good standing you may be able to finance a detox program. Home equity lines of credit, personal loans and secured loans are an excellent way to obtain funding, and often these types of financing come at a lower cost than accessing funds from a credit card.

Scholarships

Some drug detox centers offer scholarships for certain individuals, and there are some meth-specific programs available. However, you'll need to check with the detox center in your area if considering getting treatment locally, or contact the treatment center of your choice if you're considering attending treatment in another city or state. Scholarship requirements vary from place to place, so it might be worth it to make numerous attempts to obtain one.

Public Programs

Public programs, welfare funds and other types of government financing may be available to partially or fully pay for your treatment for meth addiction. These types of programs are often arranged through State-run agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services or DHHS. Even if the DHHS in your area doesn't have public funding available for detox programs, they'll often be able to provide valuable resources about where you can obtain funding.

Church and Charity Groups

There are many church and charity groups that offer funding for public needs, including drug treatment. In some cases you'll need to be a member of the group, while in many others funding may be available to anyone who needs it (and meets certain requirements). Finding out is as simple as a phone call to the administrative office of the groups you choose to contact.

Ultimately, if you put as much effort into obtaining funding for treatment as you did to procure and use drugs, you'll undoubtedly find a way to pay for the help you need. Detox for meth can be more expensive than for other drugs, especially if you require medical monitoring, emergency dental care or other more-intensive treatment. This means that funding your treatment will be an important issue and one that can be quickly addressed by contacting detox centers that you've researched. Each may be able to quickly point you in the right direction, and in many cases they can even help you obtain funding, arrange transportation and deal with court or legal issues.