Government Help With Alcohol Abuse Programs
Some people have a stigma attached to receiving public assistance resources for things like alcohol abuse treatment programs. But if you are ready to overcome and take control of your addiction, state-funded clinics and treatment centers offer evidence-based medical detox, behavioral therapies, post-treatment counseling, and other support systems for long-term recovery.
About 22.7 million people in American ages 12 and older need treatment for problems that are related to alcohol use or drug abuse. Individuals need help from programs that offer things like alcohol abuse programs or drug detoxification. Out of this 22.7 million Americans, only an estimated three million, about 13%, received the help they need each year.
With an increasing number of people battling alcohol abuse disorder, the federal government and individual states are working on affordable treatment services. These services are not only for the individual sufferer, but they also help their family members, friends, and members in the community. Neighborhoods coming together to inform and educate families and children about the effects of alcohol abuse helps to build better and stronger future generations.
Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is widely known as one of the largest government agencies that provide treatment resources on alcohol and substance abuse. SAMHSA is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that is the leader in public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. It also works to improve the lives of individuals and families living with mental and substance use disorders.
SAMHSA’s vision is to provide leadership and resources through programs, information, data, funding, and personnel. It also includes advanced substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services. SAMHSA also offers similar resources for mental illness. These efforts work to improve the overall health of individuals, the community, and the public. In conjunction with its vision, its mission is to lower the impact of substance misuse and mental illness on communities in America.
SAMHSA strives to reduce drug and alcohol abuse across the nation through its many campaigns and initiatives. The administration has a great list of treatment programs for persons dealing with alcohol use disorder and their loved ones to research options.
According to SAMHSA, despite the availability of alcoholism treatment resources, there are still too few people receiving treatment for this disease. People may not receive treatment due to barriers such as lack of finances, not being able to take time off of work, and other obligations. These factors can be a great hindrance to people wanting help for alcohol use disorder (AUD). But when alcoholism goes untreated, individuals put their own health and well-being at risk. Also, when AUD is left untreated, the drinking problem can get worse and possibly lead to other physical and emotional difficulties.
Federal Support
To raise the number of individuals seeking help for alcoholism, over the past several decades, the federal government has invested billions of dollars in increasing the availability and affordability of alcohol abuse programs. Despite more treatment options becoming available, there are still some people that hesitate when it comes to paying for treatment. There are government resources to help offset upfront costs. Many of them cover all or a portion of inpatient and outpatient rehab, counseling sessions, medication-assisted therapies, and ongoing treatment services.
Medicaid and Medicare
Medicare and Medicaid offer alcohol abuse treatment assistance to individuals in need. Medicare is a government program that helps low-income families whose income is below the poverty line. Medicaid provides insurance to people ages 65 and older and disabled individuals.
Millions of lives in America are impacted by Substance Use Disorders (SUD), and this includes people enrolled in the Medicaid program. About 12 percent of the Medicaid beneficiaries over the age of 18 have a substance use disorder. Thankfully, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services’ commitment is to serve those with SUDs effectively.
The financial costs and associated collateral impact on society due to SUDs are very high. In 2009, health insurance payers spent $24 billion on substance use disorder treatments. Of this amount, Medicaid spent about 21 percent. There is strong evidence that treatment in managing SUDs provides substantial cost savings. For example:
- Individuals with untreated alcohol use disorders use twice as much health care and cost twice as much compared to those with treated alcohol use disorders. Medications treating substance use disorder in pregnant women resulted in undoubtedly shorter hospital stays than drug-addicted pregnant women who did not receive medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
- Inpatients suffering from alcohol dependence, medication-assisted treatment was associated with fewer inpatient admissions. Total healthcare costs were 30 percent less for individuals receiving MAT compared to those not receiving MAT.
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many states have broadened their Medicaid programs to cover more people, including both adults and children, at more income levels or to provide subsidized treatment.
Eligibility criteria and the amount of funds disbursed is determined on an individual state level. If you are looking into one of these programs for assistance with alcohol abuse treatment, make sure to check your program’s benefits before starting treatment. Not all rehabilitation facilities accept Medicaid or Medicare as a form of payment. Some health plans may only cover rehab for a certain period, or it is based on the patient’s health condition.
Veterans Administration (VA) Benefits
There are many cases of alcoholism among veterans once they exit the military. Some of them turn to alcohol use as a means to cope, relax, and ease their minds. The Veterans Administration (VA) offers many alcohol abuse treatment options that help veterans overcome AUDs and get back to living a healthy and productive life. These specific programs and therapies are customized to assist veterans with other co-occurring disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disturbance, depression, or pain.
Treatment options offer various daytime, evening, or weekend treatment times to accommodate the schedules of individuals seeking treatment. Residential treatment is also available for those who don’t live near a VA clinic or may not have a stable home environment.
National Treatment Network (NTN)
The National Treatment Network is a program that is associated with the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD). The NTN oversees programs with evidence-based treatment practices, workforce development, medication-assisted treatment for safe detox, and more. There are also event programs customized for women that are battling drug or alcohol abuse.
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows individuals to have more treatment options. Services for conditions like mental health and addiction are now a part of the ten essential health benefits. Individuals can no longer be denied coverage or charged at a higher fee because an individual has a substance use disorder, like AUD.
The types of treatment covered under ACA include:
- Screening
- Medication
- Counseling
- Detox and Rehab Costs
State-Funded Alcohol Treatment Services
Some individuals who are struggling with addiction substance use disorders have limited resources for paying for treatment. In these cases, state-funded programs may be an affordable option to help pay for treatment. The Directory of Single State Agencies for Substance Abuse Services provides contact information for each state’s governing substance abuse agency.
In addition to federal assistance programs for alcohol abuse treatment, state-funded programs that can offer you a number of services and resources. Some states provide treatment like rehab programs on a first-come, first-serve basis. Other states may base treatment options on the individual’s health condition and need for treatment. Be knowledgeable about your state’s eligibility and treatment options since there could be a waiting list, which can be a couple of weeks or even months. To combat this, some states have interim care options. These may include group counseling or other outpatient services to help prevent people from relapsing while they wait for treatment.
When seeking state-funded treatment services, some general information will be needed. It’s best to prepare to provide the following:
- Proof of residence
- Income
- Legal residence in the U.S.
- Information about your alcohol use disorder
Multiple states are developing new initiatives to prevent and treat alcoholism with the assistance of federal assistance and funding through grants. This governmental partnership will allow more people to have access to quality care services and get appropriate alcohol abuse treatment.
Getting the Help You Need For Addiction
If you have been struggling with alcoholism or drug abuse, there is hope for you. Here at Northbound Treatment Services, we work to provide our clients with the best of care. Our mission is to make sure each individual who comes to us receives care that addresses their specific needs. The team here at Northbound strives to assist people in achieving long-term sobriety and lasting freedom from addiction. So, if you’ve been suffering from a substance use disorder, there’s no need to wait any longer. We’re here to help! Just contact us to learn more about our services.
References
https://www.samhsa.gov/about-us/who-we-are
https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/bhs/substance-use-disorders/index.html
