Free Addiction Treatment and Sober Living Resources

Here are some free resources for finding low cost treatment services:

Other Ideas for Finding Low Cost Addiction Treatment

Community Churches and Faith-Based Organization

Scholarship Programs

Some private facilities and non-profit organizations offer scholarships to help people with low income afford treatment. You can try reaching out to private rehab centers in your area to ask about the availability of scholarship programs and sliding scale fees.

In some cases, SAMHSA also provides grants for treatment that can be provided through the state or treatment center.

SOBER HOUSING AND HOMELESS RESOURCES

The ECHO Recovery Sober Housing Initiative

Here at ECHO Recovery we accept donations which we use to help sponsor those in recovery. Often times, even when someone has insurance that covers their care, individuals need help paying for housing and basic necessities while in the initial stages of treatment. A portion of our donations is directed to helping fund sober housing for those in early recovery.

However, please note that currently due to high demand and lack of sufficient funding, our sober housing scholarship applications are temporary closed. Learn more here and if you can, consider donating so we can support more people in need.

Are you in Maryland? Find additional free resources here.

Homeless Resources

ECHO Recovery does not provide direct services such as housing or case management. If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, please contact your local 2-1-1 hotline or visit the National Alliance to End Homelessness for more information on how to get help in your community.

You can also visit SAMHSA to learn about Grant Programs and Services for Homelessness.

Additional Mental Health Resources

Recovery Community and Support Group Resources

Traditional 12-Step Approach

Some of the groups following a traditional, 12-step approach, include the following:

• Alcoholics Anonymous(AA). The founding 12-step fellowship program first established in 1935, this international support group is available to help people achieve and maintain sobriety through peer support and following the traditional 12 steps. Membership is free; the only requirement to participate is a desire to stop drinking and using other mind-altering substances.
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA). An international 12-step peer-support group for those who are pursuing a drug-free lifestyle. Membership is free and regularly scheduled group meetings are available at a variety of locations around the world. If there is not a meeting in your area, contact NA to learn how you can start one.
• Cocaine Anonymous(CA). A global, 12-step program for both men and women suffering from cocaine addiction. Membership is free; the only requirement to join is that people have a desire to stop using cocaine and other drugs and alcohol.
• Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA). A fellowship of people who come together to support one another in quitting crystal meth through the 12-step process. There are no membership dues and the only requirement to join is a desire to stop using.

Alternatives to the 12-Step Approach

There are also support groups that provide an alternative to the more traditional 12-step philosophy, including:

• SMART Recovery. An empowering, worldwide recovery support group based on the latest scientific research. Membership is free and services are provided online and in face-to-face meetings.
• LifeRing Secular Recovery. An abstinence-based peer-to-peer support network to help people obtain and maintain sobriety. It is a secular community whose focus is on empowerment and sharing. Meetings are available in person as well as online.
• Refuge Recovery. Refuge is a Buddhist-oriented approach to recovery, and like SMART, it is founded on the belief that, “All individuals have the power and potential to free themselves from the suffering that is caused by addiction.” This empowerment comes from practicing self-compassion, and opening one’s heart and mind to respond to events and moments in life without self-harm.
• Women for Sobriety. This organization was started to connect women other women, allowing them to help each other come to terms with addiction, change for the better and find sobriety. Women for Sobriety is an abstinence-based recovery program, and while it does not have a rigid 12-step structure, there are 13 affirmations to its New Life Program.
• Moderation Management. This group is targeted at individuals who don’t have as severe a problem, but who recognize moderation can lead to a healthier and more enjoyable life. While MM is not arranged as a 12-step program, it does encourage participants to take a step-by-step approach to changing their behavior.

Recovery Advice When Money Is Tight

Trying to live on a limited income is challenging enough. Add an addiction or mental health issue that needs professional treatment and it can seem impossible. However, don’t wait to reach out for help, even if you don’t believe you can afford it. There are many resources, as we outlined above, that can provide financial aid and help you or your loved one get into the right treatment program.

As always, if you need help getting into treatment and want to talk to someone free of charge, ECHO Recovery is here to guide you in the right direction. Don’t be afraid to reach out: Contact us here.

Other Frequently Asked Questions About Low-Cost Addiction Treatment

Who is Eligible for Free Drug and Alcohol Rehab?

Once you find a rehab center you want to learn more about, call the program manager and confirm their eligibility criteria. Expect to provide information and documentation on things like:

• Your income
• Your age
• Your insurance
• Your residence
• Your pregnancy status
• Your existing medical problems

Answering these questions can help ensure you get access to the most appropriate care, treatment facility and resources available.

Can I Get Insurance for Addiction Treatment?

Even if you are currently unemployed, you can still sign up for health insurance and, depending on your income, it may be at no cost to you.

To learn about low-cost insurance options, we suggest:

• Visit Healthcare.gov
• Search Google for your state insurance options
• Or, call your local county office to find out where you can go to sign up for Medicaid or Medicare programs

These state insurance programs are designed to be easy to sign up for and often times the state has a representative that can help answer your questions and walk you through the process at no cost to you.

If you still don’t fully understand the differences between Medicaid and Medicare, and which one is right for you, here is a quick breakdown of both programs:

• Medicaid is a federal and state-funded program that was originally created in 1965 to provide health insurance to those with a qualifying low income. While coverage varies depending on the state you live in, substance abuse treatment is typically covered.

The Affordable Care Act requires that all insurers, including Medicaid, provide coverage for behavioral health issues. Please note that not all treatment facilities can accept Medicaid insurance coverage as payment, so check with the facility you plan to attend to make sure it will be accepted.

• Medicare is another federal and state-funded program established in 1965 that provides insurance for those older than 65 or who have a severe disability, regardless of income. In some cases, people qualify for and receive both Medicaid and Medicare for their health insurance coverage.

Medicare provides coverage for substance abuse and addiction treatment in the following circumstances:

• When a doctor declares that substance abuse treatment is medically necessary or sets up the plan of care.
• When treatment is provided by a Medicare-participating facility or provider.

Inpatient or residential addiction treatment is covered by Medicare Part A, and out-of-pocket costs are the same as those for hospital stays. However, Medicare will only cover up to 190 days in a psychiatric hospital per lifetime.

Outpatient treatment services, such as: therapy, pharmacological treatments administered at a doctor’s office, and educational classes, are all covered under Medicare Part B at an 80/20 rate. This means that Medicare pays 80% and the consumer or supplemental insurance is responsible for the remaining 20%. Most prescription medications are covered under Part D. However, Part D will not cover methadone or buprenorphine for treating addiction. Methadone may be covered under Part A if administered at a hospital.

Can I Pay Cash for Addiction Treatment?

If you don’t have insurance and can’t find a free program, don’t forgo seeking treatment. Many private rehabs will provide options to help you get into and stay in treatment. For example, if they don’t have a scholarship, they still might:

• Provide a Cheaper Cash-Pay Option.

Some treatment facilities will provide a sliding scale for cash pay clients without insurance or with a lower income.

• Give Financing Options.

Not every rehab center requires up-front payment for services. Some will work with you on a payment system, allowing the individual or their loved ones, to pay for the services over an extended period of time.

• Offer Loans.

Some treatment centers work with financial institutions to help you get a loan, which can be used as a form of payment to can help you get into a program quicker.