Alcohol Rehab Options in Boston, MA
Learn more about the options available for people who want to drink less or quit alcohol in the Boston area. If you’re ready to make a change, Ria Health is one option you can access 100% online.
What Types of Alcohol Treatment Are Available in Boston?
Options for alcohol treatment range from traditional alcohol rehab to innovative online programs, giving you the opportunity to choose an option that’s the best fit for you. As you weigh your choices, consider factors such as how much alcohol you drink, your schedule, and your personal goals.
Here are a few options for alcohol rehab in Boston:
Table of Contents
Medical Detox
For people who are addicted to alcohol and may experience severe withdrawal symptoms, medical detoxification (medical detox) is the safest approach to starting alcohol treatment. The withdrawal stage can be life-threatening in severe cases, and medical detox occurs under the supervision and guidance of medical professionals. Detox is expensive and is only a first step toward lasting recovery, but it is sometimes a medical necessity.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehabilitation (rehab) is one of the most common and well-known alcohol treatment options. For 30 days or more, patients live in the highly structured environment of a treatment facility. They learn new skills and behaviors, build healthier coping skills, and adjust to sober living. Rehab is a helpful option if you need to remove yourself from potential triggers or an unsupportive environment to fully focus on recovery. However, it’s one of the priciest options and requires you to put your everyday life on hold.
Recovery Housing
Recovery housing allows for a gradual transition between medical detox or rehab and returning to normal life. It provides safety, structure, and a supportive environment with others on a similar recovery journey. Although transitional living gives you more time to strengthen the skills and resolve necessary for lasting recovery, it also requires more time away from your loved ones and responsibilities.
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient rehab is a more affordable alternative to inpatient rehab. It’s less intensive and less disruptive to your daily life. In an outpatient rehab program, you can get medical and counseling support several times per week while continuing to live at home and work your job. The time commitment for outpatient programs ranges from several hours daily to a few hours per week. For some people, it provides the perfect balance between autonomy and oversight. For others, this amount of time is still too much (or not enough).
Remote Care/Telemedicine
If your busy schedule won’t accommodate traditional alcohol rehab in Boston, telemedicine offers a convenient, evidence-based alternative. With this innovative approach to alcohol treatment, you can access the resources and support you need through an app on your smartphone. You don’t have to leave the comfort of your home to tap into treatment. The affordability, accessibility, and convenience of telemedicine often helps people stick with recovery long-term, especially those with mild to moderate AUD.
Support Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is another common approach to alcohol treatment. It’s an abstinence-based program in which people regularly attend support group meetings, where they share their experiences, offer encouragement and support to one another, and follow the 12 steps. The 12 steps are a set of guiding principles for self-improvement and recovery. If AA doesn’t seem like a fit for you, other support group options include LifeRing and SMART.
Factors to Consider When Looking at Rehab in Boston
With so many treatment options to choose from, finding the right alcohol rehab in Boston can feel like an overwhelming task. Every option has its benefits and drawbacks. While there’s no “right” answer, you can find the best option for you by evaluating your unique situation and personal goals. Consider the severity of your dependence on alcohol, along with factors such as:
Cost
The expense of alcohol treatment is frequently a barrier to accessing it. However, with the wide range of treatment options comes a wide range of costs. The cost of treatment depends on which option you choose and the amount your insurance provider will cover. Medical detox and inpatient treatment are typically the most expensive, followed by outpatient programs. Telemedicine is generally much more affordable, and support groups like AA are free.
Goal
Some alcohol treatment options are abstinence-based, and others help people work toward drinking in moderation. Think about whether you want to cut back on alcohol or cut it out of your life completely, then find an approach that aligns with your goals. AA and the majority of rehabs emphasize total abstinence, while approaches like the Sinclair Method help people drink in moderation. Some rehabs take a similar “harm reduction” approach and can support you in limiting your drinking enough to minimize alcohol’s impact on your life.
Scheduling/Convenience
It’s also important to consider how much time you’re willing to commit to alcohol treatment. For some people, a major time commitment decreases their motivation or simply isn’t possible. Others, especially those with a more severe dependence on alcohol, achieve better results when they invest more time in the process. Inpatient rehab requires you to put your life on hold. AA and outpatient treatment require less time, but take place on a set schedule. Telemedicine happens at your convenience from anywhere with an internet connection.
Past Experience
Have you tried to quit drinking or cut back on alcohol in the past? If so, take time to evaluate what worked for you and what didn’t. Did you experience relapse? If so, what do you think triggered it? What type of support could help you overcome similar obstacles in the future? Considering what you liked about your previous experiences and what wasn’t a good fit can help you choose the best option moving forward. If something didn’t work for you in the past, consider trying a different approach to recovery.
How Much Does Rehab in Boston Cost?
Massachusetts has one of the highest levels of problem drinking in the United States, and 22.8 percent of Boston adults engage in binge drinking.1
The cost of alcohol rehab in Boston depends on factors like which treatment option you choose, how long you need treatment, and whether your insurance will cover or partially cover your expenses.
Cost of Medical Detox
Medical detox costs an average of $250-$1,000 per day. In most cases, it takes three to seven days to complete detox. While it certainly isn’t cheap, most insurance providers will cover detox in whole or in part.
Cost of Inpatient Rehab
As the most intensive alcohol treatment option, inpatient rehab is also the most expensive. However, costs vary widely across treatment facilities. The most affordable facilities are nonprofits, which cost around $5,700 monthly. Private-run facilities are pricier, totaling about $17,000 per month. The most expensive high-end programs charge up to $100,000 each month. Some facilities offer payment plans and sliding-scale fees, and insurance often covers at least a portion of the cost.
Cost of Outpatient Rehab
The cost of outpatient rehab varies based on the level of care provided. Standard programs, which focus on addiction therapy and counseling, generally cost up to $2,400 per month. More intensive programs range from $3,000 to $11,000 monthly. Like inpatient rehabs, some outpatient programs offer payment plans and sliding-scale fees, and many insurance companies will cover a portion of the cost.
Cost of Telemedicine
One of the most affordable options is online alcohol treatment, which is significantly more cost-effective than rehab and medical detox. In fact, a year of telemedicine is less than the total cost of many one-month outpatient programs. Telemedicine isn’t completely free like AA, but it includes a higher level of care and direct access to expert medical professionals.
Online alcohol rehab overcomes many of the barriers to traditional treatment. It’s personalized, affordable, doesn’t require travel or in-person appointments, and is flexible enough to fit into even the busiest schedule. Best of all, it’s available anywhere in Boston, or throughout the state of Massachusetts.
Advantages of Getting Help Online in Boston
The convenience of online alcohol treatment programs like Ria allows you to maintain your usual schedule. You don’t have to take time off from your job or arrange alternative childcare for young children. Without leaving home, you can attend support groups, meet with recovery coaches, and even attend medical appointments. Appointments are less time consuming when there’s no need to travel or sit in a waiting room, making it easier to fit them into your schedule.
In addition to saving you time, telemedicine saves you money. Online alcohol rehab in Boston is much more affordable than expensive rehab programs. You won’t have to pay for gas or public transportation to and from meetings and appointments, and you can continue working throughout the process. Most doctors also charge lower fees for telehealth appointments, and many insurance providers now cover telehealth.
Most importantly, online alcohol treatment works. Research shows that telemedicine is equally as effective as in-person care, and sometimes even more so. In a 2016 study, researchers found that telehealth addiction treatment led to better patient outcomes than standard continuing care.2 The accessibility and affordability of online alcohol rehab can make it easier to commit to long-term, leading to better results for many people.
Many people aren’t comfortable discussing their recovery with others, and telemedicine ensures complete privacy. With online programs like Ria Health, you can access treatment from the comfort and privacy of your home, allowing you to maintain your usual routine. Because there’s no need to request job leave or rearrange your schedule, you’ll never have to share information about your alcohol treatment unless you choose to do so.
It’s easier to stay in consistent, long-term contact with your doctor when healthcare is more affordable and convenient. Through programs like Ria, you’ll have ongoing access to expert medical professionals, compassionate support, and high-quality resources for recovery. This can help you maintain motivation and stay on track with your recovery goals. Instead of aiming for a “quick fix,” we focus on gradual, lasting improvement. Our team will support you every step of the way, for as long as you need.
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If you’re looking for alcohol rehab in Boston that meets your unique needs, schedule a call with a member of our team to get started today.
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