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American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

Government-Funded Drug Rehab for Fentanyl Addiction

The cost of seeking treatment for fentanyl addiction can be a major deterrent for people who are ready to stop using it. Fortunately, there are low-cost and sometimes free options available to people who are seeking treatment. The most successful treatment programs will match your financial ability, take into consideration your circumstances, and address your individual needs.1 Finding a program that encompasses all of these dimensions can provide you with the peace of mind that treatment will help you achieve and maintain sobriety.

In this article, you will learn more about government-funded rehabs, including detox, rehab, and outpatient levels of care. You will also learn the difference between private and government-funded rehabs and how to find a program that will provide financial assistance to you or someone you love.

What Is Government-Funded Rehab for Fentanyl Addiction?

The government allocates a certain amount of its annual budget for addiction treatment and prevention services.2,3 These funds are handled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services acting through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which either funnels funds directly to treatment and prevention services in each state or places the funds into block grants.2,3

Block grants require agencies to apply directly through SAMHSA for a portion of these funds.4 Access to these grant and scholarship funds varies from state to state but often requires that a person meet certain criteria, such as low income, no insurance, or both.

A little over half of all treatment facilities report receiving some sort of government funding. Of these facilities, 73% are non-profit organizations, 87% are community- and county-run facilities, and 18% are for-profit facilities.5

Government-Assisted Rehab Programs

There are facilities that provide government-assisted rehab across all levels of care, from detox to outpatient care.5 Each facility will have different offerings, with some only providing individual therapy and others offering more intensive services, such as detox, inpatient, or residential rehab services.

In general, the course for addiction treatment follows a certain order.6 Detox, while not considered comprehensive treatment, is usually the first step. This is usually followed by either inpatient rehab or residential rehab. Once rehab is completed, a person would step down to some type of aftercare, possibly a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP). IOPs are often followed by 1-on-1 therapy sessions, support group participation, and medication management.

Addiction is considered a chronic medical condition—more specifically, a brain disease due to the impact on multiple brain circuits.1 Remaining in treatment for an adequate period and combining medication therapies with behavioral therapies have been shown to increase the rates of sustained recovery for people who are struggling with an addiction.1

Government-Funded Detox Programs for Fentanyl Addiction

Government-funded detox programs focus on the first part of the treatment process, detoxification. Medical detox is the initial process of removing the toxins of a substance from the body.6 Detoxing from fentanyl can be extremely uncomfortable, and the symptoms are often what lead people to continue use.7 Detox is not considered comprehensive treatment; however, for someone who has been using fentanyl for a long period of time or has been using it intravenously, medical detox is a crucial step in the overall process of treatment.1

Government-Funded Inpatient Rehab

Government-funded inpatient and residential rehab programs are usually the first step-down option a person will be offered after a detox program is completed. Inpatient and residential rehab programs are 2 different levels of care. Inpatient rehab stays are typically shorter, between 1 to 2 weeks, based on acute medical necessity. Residential rehab stays can be longer, typically 28 to 30 days, though some stays may be shorter or longer.

Inpatient rehab can benefit those suffering from both substance abuse issues and acute medical issues that may complicate a person’s treatment.6 Inpatient rehab is typically used as a step down from a fentanyl detox program.

Residential rehab programs offer treatment for less complicated substance abuse disorders.6 These facilities also provide treatment for comorbid diagnoses or mental health disorders in combination with a substance abuse disorder.

Both of these levels of care offer 24-hour care and support from trained staff, including mental health technicians, therapists, nurses, and psychiatrists. Someone who is admitted to an inpatient or residential rehab can expect to have their medications monitored weekly, have individual therapy sessions 1 to 2 times a week, and have multiple daily group therapy sessions. Some facilities will provide recreational therapies, including art, yoga, and nutrition programs. And some facilities will provide support group therapies, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or SMART recovery groups weekly.

Government-Assisted Outpatient Programs

Government-assisted outpatient programs are considered step-down options for those who are coming out of the more intensive levels of care, such as detox, inpatient, or residential rehab programs. There are various types of outpatient programs and services, including:

  • Partial hospitalization programs. Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are therapeutic and usually run 4 to 8 hours per day, lasting up to 3 months.6 These programs usually provide a person with a weekly individual therapy session, a weekly meeting with a psychiatrist who manages their medications, and various group therapy sessions each day.
  • Intensive outpatient programs. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are also therapeutic and usually run 3 to 4 hours for 3 to 5 days per week for up to one year.6 These programs also provide group therapy but do not always provide psychiatric medication management and individual therapy.
  • Individual therapy. This occurs at least once a week, preferably with a therapist who specializes in substance abuse treatment. Treatment with an individual therapist could last for several years.
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is most effective when used in combination with some other form of therapy.8 There are currently 3 medications that have proven effective at reducing relapse rates for opioid addiction: buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone.8 These medications may be used short-term or can also be used as a maintenance therapy indefinitely.8

Outpatient programs allow patients to leave every day and return home to their families or their sober living homes. Some programs, such as PHP and IOP, may offer an option to their patients to board if they do not have a safe home to return to in the evenings. Many of these programs also provide transportation to and from the program each day.

How to Get Government Funding for Fentanyl Rehab

Each state has facilities that receive government funding to offer free or reduced-cost treatment to people who are unable to afford treatment otherwise.9 These facilities will have their own set of requirements for accessing this government funding, whether it be an income requirement, a lack of private insurance, or not being able to qualify for state Medicaid.9

Government Grants for Rehab Centers

Public and private non-profit organizations that provide substance misuse prevention, treatment, and recovery services to the community could qualify for grants that are given by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).4 SAMHSA provides block grant funding to qualifying agencies so that they can provide free services to people in their local communities who cannot afford treatment on their own.4 To find out if a facility in your state has been given block grant funding, follow this link, which will also connect you to facilities that have money available for free services.4

Private vs. Government Rehab Centers

Private rehab centers are typically operated by a company that is making a profit off of the care provided. Government rehab centers are those that are largely funded by money given to them by the government and are often community mental health and substance abuse centers. Regardless of whether or not a rehab center is private or government-funded, they will typically implement evidence-based strategies that have proven effective at helping patients gain and maintain sobriety.1 Treatment should consider a person’s individual psychological, medical, legal, social, and vocational issues and should also provide services that are appropriate to a person’s sex, age, culture, and ethnicity.1

Private rehab centers often have more beds and, therefore, more immediate availability, whereas government rehab centers may have more limited funding and fewer beds and can, therefore, often have a waitlist.5

Some private facilities set aside a certain amount of funding each year to offer people scholarships for admission. Each facility will have different rules for accessing this scholarship money if it is available, so not everyone will necessarily qualify. Most agencies that do have scholarship money set aside do not advertise this, so you must ask the business office whether or not they have scholarship opportunities.

Finding Government-Funded Rehab for Fentanyl Addiction

Anyone who is considering finding treatment must first complete an assessment.8 An assessment will provide the clinician with a better idea of what treatment course will be best for a person.8 The admissions navigators at American Addiction Centers (AAC) can help you or your loved one connect to a treatment facility. Seeking the treatment course and facility that is right for your journey will increase your chances of success in sobriety. Call and speak with an AAC admissions navigator today at and begin your path to sobriety.

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