The rising rates of addiction and substance abuse over the past two decades have caused the growth of what is now one of the most glaring public health problems of our time. As the country heatedly debates the future of healthcare, one crucial aspect that we shouldn’t forget is how addiction treatment is going to fit into the broader scope of whatever health care plan America gets stuck with. When it comes to addiction care, there are a few important types of coverage that we should all keep in mind…
Inpatient care
When people think of drug rehab, the image that probably comes to their mind most is inpatient care, where patients actually stay. For many people, including the most dependent addicts among us, inpatient care is one of the most necessary establishments that we have to save lives from substance abuse. Any effective coverage to deal with addiction needs to be built around the necessity of inpatient care at approved facilities.
Outpatient care
While inpatient care is one of the most crucial aspects to consider, when it comes to addiction coverage, the other side of the coin is outpatient care. Once people leave inpatient care and have undergone intensive initial care for addiction, outpatient care helps them maintain their treatment and retain clinical accountability for their sobriety. Also, many people opt to only undergo outpatient care, due to restraints in their own lives that prevent them from taking the time away that inpatient care requires.
Medical detox
Two of the greatest risks to health and safety for a person who suffers from addiction are the effects of an overdose and the effects of withdrawals. Because of this, one of the most important life saving measures in addiction recovery is a medical detox, which purges the body of toxins from illicit substances in a safe and controlled environment. Without coverage that includes medical detox, costs can skyrocket to save the life of an addict.
Mental health issues
For many individuals, when it comes to addiction, there is frequently a co-occurring mental illness that further exasperates the tendencies of substance abuse. For addiction insurance to be effective, the underlying mental health issues that cause addiction need to be considered and covered, including counseling costs through approved providers.
Medication
Regardless of whether a person opts to go through inpatient or outpatient care, medication is often required to control the cravings and impulses that addiction leaves behind. These medications absolutely need to fall under the addiction coverage umbrella, in order to prevent relapse and keep costs low.