How Do You Pay for Rehab in Scotland?

Private Rehab Cost and Payment Options in Scotland

There are two basic approaches to treating addiction. An outpatient rehab programme involves the person in recovery attending a series of drug or alcohol addiction treatment services and appointments, which may be in a clinic or other similar venue. 

This is the type of treatment plan most commonly available via the NHS and through local drug and alcohol services, and it can certainly be valuable for many people. There can be a number of drawbacks, though.

Firstly, it can be difficult to organise and turn up to these sessions, especially if you are experiencing a ‘chaotic lifestyle’ due to a drug or alcohol addiction. 

You will be surrounded by all the usual people, places, triggers and temptations associated with your drinking or drug use. 

Another aspect of opting for outpatient rehab treatment is you may have to go through the crucial detoxification or detox phase with minimal supervision and support. Treatment programmes are likely to be less in-depth and yet can take longer overall as the sessions will be more spread out.

On the other hand, there is also the option to stay onsite as a resident (within an inpatient rehab clinic) for the duration of your treatment. This puts you in a safe, supportive and tranquil environment, away from all those triggers and temptations, meaning you can completely focus on your recovery. 

Depending on the alcohol rehab programme, you will usually go through a medically supervised detox followed by extensive therapy, which could include 12-step group therapy and individual one-to-one sessions. There may also be other elements, such as relapse prevention, nutritional sessions, meditation and mindfulness, all of which can help an ongoing recovery.

All of this costs money. The price of rehab starts at roughly £4k in Scotland and will rise depending on the length of the programme and other factors. Any costs can definitely be seen as an investment, however. 

The costs of untreated addiction can soon be far higher, and not just in monetary terms. Alcohol and drug abuse can damage your physical and mental health. It can destroy relationships, tear families apart and affect your work, finances and pretty much every other aspect of your life.

Sometimes you might have to consider if you can afford not to go to the rehab clinic.

Private Health Insurance for Rehab Treatment Options

The private rehab cost can sometimes be paid for with a private health insurance policy. 

This could be a workplace scheme, or it may be one that you take out yourself, but you should bear in mind that not all health insurance policies will cover private rehab treatment and/or other kinds of addiction treatment. You should always read the fine print for what is and isn’t covered and any exceptions or stipulations.

Bupa, for example, which is the biggest private healthcare provider in the UK, says that it “covers you for any addiction” and that it will “even cover you for a period of rehab to help you recover from your dependency”. This is limited to one addiction treatment programme per membership lifetime.

You will generally need a diagnosis to show you have an addiction, and there may be an excess to pay. Just as with home or car insurance, this means you may have to pay the first part of any claim made, with the insurance provider covering the rest.

Get in Touch to Discuss Our Rehab Costs

If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol and think rehab might be your best way forward, get in touch today to discuss our costs and options for rehab. It might be the best decision you ever make.