Medical Detoxification - 28-30 day inpatient
As a bright-eyed intern I spent some 3500 clinic hours in various treatment programs.That was the mid-70s. Such programs were widely available, many government funded (which ended in 1985) or paid for by Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). I essentially left the treatment field about the same time as the NIH funding was shifted to research. I have been involved in research and evaluation of addictionology, though not full time, ever since. Kinda' my first love. My ears are ringing from a big "WHOOSH" as part of the world just passed me by.
Due to the many inquiries on this site I began checking on availability of detox and combined detox-treatment (30 day type programs) as well as the cost of same. The nearest major metro area to me is St. Louis MO. There are no per se detox units except for private and hospital based. At State Hospital there was at one time a strictly detox unit (7 days). No more. The cost is from $25-48,000.00 through private resources only.
I'm aware that several members of this site are open and frank about past drinking/drugging and recovery. Some of you recommend in-patient detox. I certainly agree that the palliative care provided and medical evaluation is sorely needed for the addict, regardless of substance. But is this beyond the reach of lower and middle income folks?
For anyone that has gone through detox and/or extended treatment in the past 10 years I'm very interested in how you accomplished it. The Salvation Army seems to be one of the few remaining resources for low cost (pay as you go) recovery.
Please share with me how you overcame the significant economic obstacle in the path of recovery from addiction of any type. Are there programs available that I have missed (outside of prison walls)?