Addiction can easily destroy one’s life, and while many do manage to break from the clutches of alcohol, gambling, and drugs, the path to recovery is a long and difficult one, usually paved with financial difficulties.
From the fact that family members usually give up on former addicts to a credit score that is often at or below the bare minimum, obtaining money during recovery can feel like a Herculean task.
That being said, it’s not exactly impossible, and even if no good samaritan decides to help you out, the government’s got your back, as there have been thousands of Americans who benefited from addict recovery assistance programs.
These programs were created specifically with the purpose of making life easier for the Americans who chose to turn over a new leaf, and we’re going to give you a low-down on how they work as well as what you can do to attain eligibility.
A nationwide issue
Financial instability is the most common thing most recovering addicts face, as their finances have likely been destroyed by substance abuse/gambling, and now they’re dealing with even greater financial challenges.
A good example is the prescription drugs the majority of addicts are required to take in order to deal with their withdrawal symptoms, which can cost a pretty penny and force one into a less-than-favorable situation, financially speaking.
The annual impact substance abuse has on the US economy sits at $442 billion, and this number has been fluctuating for many years, meaning that it can and probably will get worse.
Thankfully, the support offered by the government comes in several forms, and former addicts can expect to receive health insurance coverage and even cash assistance, so long as they adhere to some of the rules imposed by the program.
The costs
While most still believe that rehab only relies on the person giving up substance abuse for good, the reality of it is much more difficult to deal with for someone with limited funding.
Even a 30-day detox in a facility equipped to offer it can set you back several hundred dollars, and that usually isn’t enough support to guide a person to full recovery.
Instead, residential recovery treatment options, which are much better at helping individuals battle addiction can cost up to $8k, although they will offer better conditions and support.
The resources that do exist at the time will be able to help you one way or another though, and if you’re looking for federal funding, you may be able to obtain it, as long as you stay committed to your journey.
If a recovering addict receives funding and relapses, they may lose their rights to federal funding.
Health Insurance
Largely detailed in the Affordable Care Act, treatment for addiction is now considered to be a covered medical condition by healthcare providers.
On top of this, a rule has been imposed preventing health insurance companies from offering less favorable limitations on those dealing with mental health issues or going through recovery.
With the ACA, health insurance companies are now required to pay for a maximum of 80% of the costs of rehab, and if you’ve been denied coverage in the past, you can begin an appeal process in order to get what you’re entitled to.
Of course, every healthcare provider will have different terms and conditions regarding the coverage of rehabilitation therapy, and your best bet is to contact them directly to find out which of the costs are covered and what rules you’ll have to keep in mind.
Staying informed is the key to successful recovery.
VA benefits for former drug addicts
It’s not uncommon for military veterans to be struggling with drug abuse, and the Department of Veterans Affairs is well aware of this, partially due to the majority of veteran deaths being caused by drug overdoses.
The VA has created a number of programs to help veterans deal with addiction, ranging from in-patient and out-patient services to medically assisted treatment and residential care, all of it covered by the government.
All of these services are offered for free to qualifying veterans, so if you’re struggling with the recovery process, you may want to check your eligibility for VA assistance if you’ve served in the past.
If you want to learn more about these assistance programs, you can contact the VA directly or visit their official website where you’ll find additional info on how these programs work and what they have to offer.
Bottom line
Former addicts have it tough, and their path to recovery is anything but easy.
Financial difficulties are only one of the hurdles they’ll have to overcome, and the government is here to make that part of their journey easier.
By offering federal funding or health care services to qualifying addicts, the government can ensure that recovery is much more successful than it ever was, lowering the number of addicts on America’s streets, one step at a time.
