Guide to Financial Assistance, Rehab Scholarships, and Grants for Addiction Treatment

With millions of Americans dealing with drug misuse and addiction, treatment is a beneficial solution for recovery.¹ However, many people may be hesitant to seek assistance because of concerns over the cost of rehab.

This is understandable, since paying for rehab on your own can feel overwhelming. Even if you have insurance, you may still need to pay for co-pays and deductibles, or you may need to pay for services that are not covered under your policy.

However, various financial aid options and grants for addiction recovery are available for substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness. Individuals who need substance misuse rehab treatment may be able to find funding to assist them.

What Is Financial Assistance for Alcohol and Drug Rehab?

Financial assistance for addiction treatment includes grants, scholarships, and financial aid to help people pay for the cost of rehab. A healthcare grant is funds given by an entity and can cover a wide range of medical needs.²

Some other types of financial assistance for drug rehab that you may qualify for include:^3,4,5

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants.
• Medicare.
• Medicaid.
• The Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Does My Insurance Cover Addiction Rehab?

Most insurance companies cover at least some of the cost of rehab. If you are looking for addiction treatment, it can feel overwhelming. As you consider your options, knowing exactly what your insurance plan covers can offer peace of mind while you or your loved one is in rehab.

Once you know what your insurance policy covers, you’ll have a better idea about the additional financial support you may need as you pursue alcohol and drug addiction treatment.

You can do the work of getting and staying sober without worrying about unexpected costs or financial struggles. For more information on what your insurance plan covers, click here or call American Addiction Centers (AAC ) at .

Government Funding for Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs

A good amount of the funding for substance abuse treatment in the United States is derived from government funding—at the state and local levels.⁶ In addition to state and government-funded programs, there is Medicaid, a separate entity that provides funding toward SUD treatment.⁶

Every state has a substance abuse agency, which may be included within the behavioral health department or health and human services department.⁶ The state receives funding from the government and distributes them at the local level through its various drug prevention programs.⁶

Grants for Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs

Most of the funding for addiction treatment from federal sources is through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA.)⁷ With almost 1.5 million people seeking addiction treatment and approximately 16,066 substance rehab centers available in the United States, you may wonder about funding options and availability.^8,9 Here is a breakdown of how many rehab facilities accepted which types of funding, using the most recent data available from SAMHSA (2020):⁹

• Cash payment: 14,521
• Private health insurance: 11,592
• Medicare: 6,751
• Medicaid: 11,359
• State-financed health insurance: 7,950
• Federal military insurance: 6,273
• Other payments: 122
• Sliding fee scale: 9,181
• Treatment at no fee for clients who can’t pay: 7,025

Block Grants for Addiction Treatment

The grants provided by SAMHSA are referred to as the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG).³ This is the main funding source for substance misuse.⁶ These grants give funding to public and non-profit entities.³ The rehab facility would have access to the grants and distribute them as needed. So, you could check directly with the rehab facility in your area to find out if they offer a grant.

How to Get Funding for Addiction Treatment

For more information about drug and alcohol rehab, you may want to reach out to your doctor. Or you can contact one of our admissions navigators at for the information and support you are looking for as you look for addiction treatment.

There are various treatment programs and strategies available, so don’t give up if the first program you check out doesn’t meet your individual needs or have options for financial assistance. To learn more about the addiction treatment process, click here. There are local rehabs that can provide the treatment you need as you begin on your path toward sobriety.

Scholarships for Sober Living and Recovery Housing

Sober living may include any type of treatment you receive after your initial intake into a rehab facility. After you complete your detox or inpatient treatment program, you will be focused on sober living. This could include a range of options such as:¹⁰

• Transitional living homes.
• Outpatient therapy (iop or php)
• Telemedicine.

You can check with a rehab facility to see if they have grants for these types of treatment programs. Relapse prevention is a critical component of recovery.¹¹

Other Ways To Get Financial Help for Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

You can find other ways to raise finances for substance misuse treatment. Some of these include:

• Apply for Medicaid.
• Apply for Medicare if you’re eligible.
• If you’re a veteran, apply for VA benefits.
• Research the Affordable Care Act premium tax credit subsidy.
• Take out a personal loan.
• Obtain a loan from a friend or family member.
• Raise funds through a social media platform such as GoFundMe.

Are There Any Low-Cost and Affordable Addiction Rehab Options?

Don’t let cost hold you back from treating addiction to drugs or alcohol. There are many low-cost and affordable rehab options, including financial aid and public assistance.

Specific treatment centers will offer special programs designed to assist people who are dealing with addiction. Once you understand your options and are ready to move forward, you can begin your journey to recovery.

Scholarships for Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs

Some facilities receive funding from SAMHSA or other federally funded programs.⁷ You can check Grants.gov to see what grants for rehab are posted or forecasted. You can contact the substance addiction rehab facility to find out how they distribute the funds—whether in the form of scholarships or other financial aid.

The Block Grants through SAMHSA target special populations of people, which include:³

• Pregnant women.
• People who inject substances.
• Women with dependent children.

If you are in any of these categories, you may be eligible to receive grants for substance abuse treatment. If not, you still might be eligible for assistance with drug and alcohol rehab. To learn more, contact a compassionate and professional American Addiction Centers (AAC) admissions navigator at .