Struggling to sleep? Do you find your mind racing or experiencing unsettling dreams? You’re not alone. Many people with substance use disorders struggle with sleep. This blog can help you sleep better!
If you’re wondering how much rehab costs in Australia in 2024, this article explains:
- The average price of addiction treatment
- The costs of different types of rehabilitation (inpatient, outpatient, online, etc.)
- Guidance on which type of treatment is best for your situation
- The different financial support options available to help you afford treatment
In Australia, you can expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 to $15,000 for a 30-day rehabilitation program as of 2024. Some luxury facilities even charge upwards of $100,000 for treatment, leaving many people to seek out more affordable options online or abroad.
However, the price of treatment varies widely depending on factors such as the severity of your addiction, your insurance plan, public vs. private treatment, and whether you choose inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation.
If you’re worried about your ability to afford treatment, don’t be.
There are plenty of social programmes, public treatment centres, and affordable options such as outpatient care or online addiction treatment that can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Your government health care may even cover the entire cost.
A happy, drug-free life is within reach. Let’s find out how.
How Much Do The Different Types of Rehab Cost?
How much does rehab cost in Australia? It depends…
That’s like asking “How much does a house cost?”. Well, how big is the house?
The costs of rehabilitation in Australia vary widely depending on which type of treatment you choose.
For example, some support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are totally free whereas some luxury rehabilitation centres cost upwards of $30,000 per month or more. Other treatment options, like online addiction counselling, cost only $60-$180 per hour and could be highly effective under the right circumstances.
Let’s start by breaking down the different options for rehabilitation available to you along with rough estimates of their prices. We’ll start with the most common form of treatment and work our way down from there.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehab, also known as residential rehab, is a type of rehabilitation program where individuals stay at a treatment facility for a predetermined period of time – typically 30 to 90 days.
This kind of rehab provides 24-hour care and support in a structured environment. When the average Australian thinks “rehab”, this is what most likely comes to mind.
During their stay at residential rehab, the person receives:
- Around-the-clock care
- Detox (if needed)
- A safe and structured environment
- A much-needed break from the distractions and stressors of everyday life
- A daily routine including therapy, education, and recreational activities
- Ongoing support
This type of intensive recovery care is typically recommended for individuals with severe addictions, those who have struggled with relapse, or those who need a high level of support and structure to overcome their substance use disorders.
According to one study published in the “National Library of Medicine” by Gossop, M., et al., 50% of people who attended residential rehabs were still abstinent from drug use one year later.
Average Price: $10,000 – $30,000 per month***
Don’t Let The Price of Inpatient Rehabilitation Scare You
There’s a chance that your Medicare or other government benefits could cover a large portion of the costs.
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient drug rehab programmes are an affordable alternative to residential rehabilitation where the individual receives treatment for their addiction without staying at a facility or receiving 24/7 care.
The average hourly price of outpatient care ranges anywhere from AUD $60 – $180, so you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 – $4,000 for a month of treatment – assuming you attend 3-4 sessions a week (plus other expenses).
Unlike inpatient rehab, where you stay at a facility, outpatient rehab allows you to live at home and maintain some semblance of normalcy. And since you don’t need medical detox, a bed, and all-day supervision, the cost will be significantly less.
Non-residential care typically involves a mixture of therapy, counselling, medical care, and educational sessions that the patient can do on their own time rather than being at a facility around the clock. Other activities may include trauma therapy or even EMDR therapy. These types of programmes are effective for those who have mild substance addictions, or who have already done work on themselves around their addiction.
Outpatient rehabs are not suitable for anyone with a severe addiction, as this usually requires detoxification. This also typically comes with a period of intense craving, where inpatient treatment is necessary to prevent relapse.
The Cabin operates an outpatient drug rehab programme in Sydney for those with drug addiction in Australia. We offer treatment for all drugs, including crystal meth, heroin, cocaine and prescription drugs.
Average Price: $2,000 – $4,000 per month
Further Reading: Read this guide on inpatient vs. outpatient treatment for a full breakdown of how outpatient differs from residential treatment.
Online Rehab
Online addiction treatment is when an individual with substance use disorder receives addiction counselling and support remotely. This is usually done through video conferencing, online chat, email, or text messaging.
e-Treatment for addiction is becoming more popular in Australia since it gives people who suffer from alcohol or drug addiction an affordable alternative to in-person care without prohibitive costs, long wait lists, lost travel time, or social stigma.
Online rehabilitation often involves a mixture of video counselling sessions, self-guided study of educational materials, group sessions, and watching video course material.
The good news? It works, especially for people suffering from alcohol use disorder. One study published in the “National Library of Medicine” entitled “Effectiveness of Guided and Unguided Low-Intensity Internet Interventions for Adult Alcohol Misuse” stated that: “Internet interventions are effective in reducing adult alcohol consumption and inducing alcohol users to adhere to guidelines for low-risk drinking.”
Online counselling for addiction may be the best way for you to recover from addiction if you are unable to afford the cost of rehab, or if you don’t have enough time to attend a physical rehab location.
Average Price: AUD $60 – $180/hour for individuals. AUD $40 – $180/hour for group therapy.
Luxury Rehab
Some drug rehabs offer luxury programmes that provide clients with upscale accommodation and personalized services. These programmes give clients a higher level of comfort and privacy than standard residential programmes.
Some of the amenities you’ll experience at a luxury rehab include:
- Private accommodation in luxurious suites
- A gourmet menu of food each day
- Holistic therapies such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness training
- Excursions outside the clinic into nature
- State-of-the-art fitness centres
- Personalised treatment plans
- Luxury amenities such as a spa
- Aftercare planning to keep you clean
- Advanced therapies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy
These types of rehabs often cost tens of thousands of dollars per month. Some luxury treatment facilities may even be AUD $100,000 or more!
While a refined environment is not necessary for recovery from drug addiction, we believe that the tranquillity that these settings provide enhances the rehab experience and provides clients with a more pleasant stay, as well as improving long-term treatment outcomes.
Affordable
Addiction Treatment in Paradise
Community Rehabilitation
Community rehabilitation centres offer drug and alcohol rehabilitation services at much lower rates than private facilities – some are totally free. These programs are often connected with charities, community-based programs, or government-funded initiatives.
Unfortunately, these programs usually do not offer the same level of personalised care and are difficult to get into due to lack of funding. Some people are on the waitlist for months or even years before they get treatment.
For example, the Salvation Army’s “Bridge Rehabilitation Residential Program” in Victoria only has 18 beds! This is in a country where over 130,000 people received drug and alcohol treatment services in 2022-2023, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare!
Further Reading: Did you know that Australia has the highest number of recreational drug users in the world?
Others, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, are only support groups and don’t offer medical care or therapy.
Regardless, if you are short on cash and need help, these programmes offer treatment services:
- The Salvation Army: The Salvos have recovery services in most major cities. You need to contact them to apply for admittance. Program fees are the equivalent of 80% of your base Centrelink benefit rate excluding Rent Assistance or 80% of the DSP rate excluding Rent Assistance.
- The Odyssey House: The Odyssey House is a residential treatment program with locations in Sydney and Melbourne that costs 80% of your Centrelink Benefits.
- Alcoholics Anonymous: A free support group available nationwide that focuses on the 12-step recovery program and community support in recovery from alcohol. Narcotics Anonymous is also available for drug users.
- Local Government Treatment Programs: Most states and territories have at least some type of drug and alcohol treatment program, though they are difficult to get into and notoriously slow. For example, the State of Victoria has treatment services that offer counselling, rehabilitation, and detox. Check out the government’s website for more information.
Are There Government-Funded Addiction Treatment Options in Australia?
Yes, if you can’t afford private addiction treatment, there are government-funded addiction treatment options available in each state.
For example, in Victoria, there are alcohol and drug addiction treatment services (ADATS) available that include residential rehabilitation, detoxification, counselling, withdrawal management, and community-based support.
New South Wales also offers withdrawal, inpatient, and outpatient services through various care providers and hospitals.
Each state and territory in Australia offers public drug and alcohol treatment programmes, usually for free or at very little cost. Another example is the Victoria Alcohol And Drug Association.
Some may charge up-front fees or accept certain health insurance plans. In some cases, you may have to pay but then get your money back from the government. The regulations are always changing. You should contact the particular programme to find out, though.
These public services are often “bare bones”, and some require you to meet certain eligibility criteria. And even then, the wait lists can be very long.
Are There More Affordable Rehabs Outside of Australia?
Attending rehab outside of Australia is becoming increasingly popular since it’s possible to find high-quality care at much lower prices. It’s possible to find exceptional care for half the price or even less of a typical rehabilitation centre in your home city.
Families of addicts are in a difficult situation: you want your loved one to get the best care possible. But in Australia, where prices continue to surge and waiting lists continue to fill up, it’s often not possible to give them the care you know they deserve. Some families are forced to take out loans that leave them in debt just to get their loved ones help.
Getting treatment in a country like Thailand, for example, gives you access to world-class care at affordable prices. Plus, it’s an amazing opportunity for recovery that offers benefits such as:
- Anonymity and privacy
- Recovery with a view
- A chance to get away from home (it’s hard to heal in the environment where you got sick!)
- No wait times
- Holistic approaches that combine the best of Western and Eastern medicine
The Cabin Chiang Mai: An Affordable Alternative for Australians
The Cabin Chiang Mai is a luxury addiction recovery and treatment centre in Northern Thailand that offers world-class drug and alcohol addiction treatment from UK-trained specialists at a fraction of the cost you’d pay in Australia.
Here at the Cabin, we offer personalised treatment for addiction in an idyllic setting away from the triggers of home. Our goal is to treat the whole human being behind the condition, resulting in a complete transformation into someone who doesn’t even want to use their substance of choice.
We use a holistic approach, combining traditional medical care with therapy, counselling, and engaging activities to help you break free from addiction and build a life of happiness, fulfilment, and healing. We’ve helped over 5,000 people – and many of them Australians! – successfully recover from addiction and build better happier lives for themselves and their families.
Contact our admissions team for a free consultation where we’ll assess your situation and explain the ideal path to recovery for your particular needs.
Success Stories from The Cabin, Chiang Mai
The true value of the Cabin and the city of Chiang Mai lies in the success stories of our alumni.
Chiang Mai, Thailand, offers a safe escape from the temptations and stressors of large cities in Australia. People like Alexander claim that the safe, spiritual setting in Northern Thailand offered a calm serenity that he never found elsewhere.
It’s a wonderful place to start your recovery journey because it’s free of the distractions you’d find back home. Instead, you’ll find a city full of temples, lakes, and exciting outdoor activities that make it the perfect place to start your new life in sobriety. We encourage you to take a look at video testimonials from our former patients who’ve successfully recovered at the Cabin. Use them as inspiration to begin your recovery journey today.
Rehab Cost in Australia F.A.Q
What is The Success Rate of Rehab in Australia?
Studies have shown that the success rates for rehabs are roughly 50%, meaning Australia’s success rate is in that range as well. One rehab centre near Perth, Shalom House, claims to have a 50% success rate, but also claims that only 65% of attendees complete the program. So, the success rate may be higher if you only account for those who’ve completed the programme.
How Much Does Addiction Cost in Australia?
The cost of addiction to society in Australia is severe, with government data claiming that it costs upwards of $80 BILLION dollars. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare claims that the cost of alcohol addiction alone is nearly $23 billion.
How Long is Rehab in Australia?
A typical live-in rehabilitation program in Australia is anywhere from 4-12 weeks. However, some can be as long as 12-16 weeks, or even upwards of an entire year. It depends on the severity of the addiction.