The first step in a professional addiction treatment programme is detoxification. This is when a person cleanses their body of all the illicit substances that they’ve ingested. Getting clean is an important part of drug and alcohol rehab. It lays the foundation for the rest of the recovery process and can help someone mentally prepare themselves for sobriety.
But how much does detox cost? A lot of people who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction can find themselves with reduced resources, or they may simply want to find the most cost-effective care possible.

The Cost of Drug and Alcohol Detox
How much does detox cost? The cost of residential detox treatment in Australia can vary greatly. Some private facilities offer detox and rehab programmes that can cost thousands of dollars per week, with some luxury rehab centres charging $10,000 a week or even more for treatment, including detox.
However, as expensive as private residential rehab and detox can be, these facilities offer world-class specialists and facilities that are more akin to hotels or resorts than medical facilities. Going through detox and withdrawal at these facilities can give many people the best chance at recovery.
How Much Does Rehab Cost?
Residential treatment can be quite expensive. As mentioned, some facilities can charge tens of thousands of dollars for a week of treatment. Outpatient care can be cheaper in some cases, with sessions costing between $60 and $180 per session. However, outpatient programmes are best used to complement residential care.
Are Detox Costs Worth It?
Residential treatment, including residential detox, can be quite expensive. They can cost around a few hundred dollars a day for treatment. For many people, the price that they’re expected to pay for inpatient rehab can be daunting.
However, inpatient treatment is often worth it. A rehab centre can offer the most intensive alcohol and drug treatment at all levels of care, including detox. The care found in treatment facilities is beyond anything that can be found outside of them.
There is a place for outpatient treatment in recovery, but it is usually after someone completes inpatient care.

How to Pay for Addiction Treatment
How much does detox cost, and how can it be paid for? There are numerous ways for a person to cover the cost of addiction treatment in Australia. Medicare covers some of the cost of drug and alcohol treatment. Private health insurance plans can also pay for alcohol and drug treatment services, though this can vary from one plan to another. Sometimes, a person can access their Superannuation funds early on compassionate grounds to cover the cost of detox and rehab.
Some people are fortunate enough to have jobs or family backgrounds that allow them to pay for rehab entirely out of pocket. In some cases, they can gather the funds to cover the entire cost of addiction treatment.
Some non-profit organisations and charities offer support for people who need help with covering the costs associated with treating addiction. Some of these organisations also offer free rehab treatment directly, though their facilities and standard of care may not be up to the level of a private rehab facility.
Going to a Treatment Centre Abroad for Medical Detox
Because the average cost of treatment can be quite high in Australia, many people in the country seek cost-effective alternatives. One of the most cost-effective alternatives is going abroad for treatment services. This can allow someone to access private treatment, including detox, for a fraction of what rehab costs in Australia. For example, inpatient rehab in Thailand may cost $8,000 to $20,000 for the entire programme, much less than it would cost in Australia.
The Importance of Inpatient Detox
Residential detox can be more expensive than outpatient treatment. However, inpatient detoxification is vital in a lot of cases, especially when it comes to severe substance abuse. Alcohol or drug detox can cause a person to go into withdrawal, especially when they’ve developed a dependence.
Withdrawal symptoms can range from a little uncomfortable to potentially life-threatening. Inpatient drug or alcohol treatment allows a person to have direct medical access. In instances of severe withdrawal, this can be vital in making sure someone going through detox stays healthy enough that they overcome substance use disorder.
An outpatient detox programme can seem appealing. However, an inpatient detox programme can be vital in keeping a person well enough to receive further drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
What to Expect During Detox
The first step in overcoming addiction is to admit that there is a problem. Many people who struggle with alcohol or drug abuse lie to themselves about the extent of their addiction or that there is an addiction at all.
But when a person does come clean to themselves about their addiction, they need to begin their treatment. The first phase of that is detoxification, and many may be wary not about the cost of rehabilitation, but about the treatment itself.
There will almost certainly be withdrawal symptoms, which can be serious in cases of severe addiction. Withdrawal happens because when a person uses alcohol or drugs over a long period, their minds and bodies become acclimated to it. When people stop using these substances, they must adjust to a new baseline. This is what causes a person to go into withdrawal.
Now, as uncomfortable as these symptoms can be, they are temporary. The body will adjust to the new baseline in a few days to weeks. In some cases, mental withdrawal symptoms may last longer, but they are temporary.

How to Get Through Detox
Getting through detox is possible. A rehab or detox centre can help a person get through detox in a variety of ways, such as:
Therapy
Therapy is an important part of the entire treatment process. In detox, it can help someone manage their cravings and help with the mental symptoms of withdrawal, such as depression and anxiety.
Medication
In some cases, medication may be used to ease physical withdrawal symptoms. The administration of these medications is carefully monitored.
Referral
In severe cases, if withdrawal becomes complicated, a person may be referred to other facilities. In many cases, this other facility is a nearby hospital.
Invest In Your Recovery
How much does detox cost? The cost of detox and treatment can be quite high, but the cost of not getting clean can be much higher. The money that goes into medical treatment is an expense that is wasted. Rather, it is an investment in a brighter future. We can help you walk a path to that brighter future at the Orchid in Chiang Mai.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does drug rehab cost in Australia?
It depends on the centre, but a month of inpatient rehab in Australia can cost $15,000 or more.
Does Medicare cover drug rehab in Australia?
Medicare does not usually cover the entire cost of inpatient treatment in Australia.
How long is rehab in Australia?
Rehab in Australia is typically between 1 and 12 months.
Can you put someone in rehab in Australia?
Unless someone meets the legal requirement for involuntary commitment, going to rehab in Australia is entirely voluntary.
Is drug addiction a disability in Australia?
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, drug addiction is classified as a disability.