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American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

Private Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

Around 59.3 million Americans aged 12 and older report having used an illegal drug within one year of being surveyed.1 A substance use disorder (SUD) is a risk for many, and this risk exists regardless of age, socioeconomic status, or cultural background. Recovery from drug or alcohol dependence requires hard work, and many find that it is easiest in the right treatment setting. Inpatient care can be effective, especially if you or your loved one is struggling with a co-occurring mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety.2 Private drug and alcohol rehab centers can offer the time, space, and peace of mind that are so often needed to aid in substance abuse recovery.


What Is A Private Drug & Alcohol Rehab Facility?

Private drug and alcohol rehab centers are funded privately through program admission fees. As in any industry, this creates a natural incentive to provide the best experience possible so as to promote increased referrals and keep private addiction treatment programs thriving. Although private drug rehabs often cost more, the treatment can include a wider range of resources and therapies.

Rehab treatment therapies are individualized, and no one treatment approach is best for everyone.3 As with most private institutions, private rehab facilities are more likely to have ample funds to offer additional comforts. This may include holistic therapies, natural settings, adjunct private rooms, or other features that may be pleasant or beneficial during recovery.

Private vs. Public Drug & Alcohol Rehab

There are many potential differences between private and public addiction treatment facilities. These include privacy levels, facility grounds, room size, amenities, staff-to-patient ratio, and general admission availability or waitlist times.

Waitlists and delayed access to addiction treatment, in particular, are impactful, as they can cause clients to doubt the quality of rehab care or even to have second thoughts about seeking addiction treatment at a vulnerable and critical time.4

Private drug and alcohol rehab costs may be covered by health insurance or may be paid out-of-pocket, while public rehab programs are state-funded and receive money from state grants, federal grants, or Medicaid, depending on the state they are located in.

While public drug and alcohol rehabs are critical because they make addiction treatment accessible for all, private substance use disorder rehabs have many unique benefits. Meals, accommodations, and facility grounds may be more updated at a private addiction treatment facility because admissions fund the facility. Privacy is more likely, and the ratio of staff to patients may make one-on-one counseling and care for the patient easier. Wait times/lists also tend to be lower or non-existent.

In addition, complementary or holistic adjunct addiction treatment therapies are often more likely to be provided by a private drug and alcohol rehab center. This may include modalities like art therapy, nature therapy, yoga, or other therapeutic support tools.

If you do not have access to private addiction treatment programs, it is important not to rule out public rehab facilities. If you are struggling with a substance use disorder, receiving addiction treatment, whether public or private, is always better than not.


Types of Addiction Treatment Offered at Private Rehab Centers

Private drug and alcohol rehab centers offer a range of addiction treatments, depending on the specific rehab center. Addiction treatment plans at a private rehab facility are tailored to meet individual patient needs after intake. Medical and therapeutic treatment vary according to the type and intensity of your substance abuse disorder. There may be other patient specifics to treat, such as the presence of dual diagnoses or co-occurring mental health disorders.

Some common types of addiction treatment offered in private drug and alcohol rehab settings may include:2

  • Withdrawal management. Although not a solution for substance addiction or dependency, medically supervised detox is sometimes the first step in an inpatient treatment program.5
  • Evaluation and treatment for co-occurring diagnoses. Some people struggling with a substance use disorder also often suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder. During private inpatient rehab, a clinician will assess for co-occurring disorders so that the treatment plan can address both issues if needed.5
  • Medication assessment. A licensed psychiatric provider will assess patient needs for medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone that may support recovery. The provider will also determine whether education for co-occurring mental health disorders is appropriate.5
  • Behavioral counseling and/or group therapy. A variety of behavioral therapies may be used during rehab. Modalities used may vary, but individual and group therapy will likely share common goals to support you or your loved one in addressing motivation to change, building positive coping skills to resist substance use, strengthening problem-solving skills, developing alternative interests in new and rewarding activities, and exploring the role of interpersonal relationships.5
  • Follow-up care for relapse prevention. A transition to consistent follow-up aftercare following rehab is critical to reduce the chance of relapse. Related mental health issues may require ongoing treatment, as well as socio-emotional support.5

A few of these common types of treatment, including detox, inpatient/outpatient, and behavioral therapy, are discussed in more depth as follows.

Private Medical Detox Facilities

Detox is a process in which medical professionals safely support and monitor a patient, using medical treatment as necessary, during a substance withdrawal process.2 It is important to remember, however, that while detox and withdrawal management is critical, even potentially lifesaving, it is not a substitute for a comprehensive rehab treatment program.5

There are 3 key elements to the detoxification process:6

  • Evaluation. Initially, providers will conduct a broad assessment of medical and psychological detox treatment needs.
  • Stabilization. Medical and psychological treatment tools are provided to support the patient through their acute withdrawal period.
  • Transition into treatment. During this stage, the patient is supported in preparing for the next phases of treatment. Counseling is an important component of this transition.

Private Inpatient/Residential and Outpatient Rehab

Inpatient drug rehab is different from outpatient rehab in that patients stay overnight and receive 24-hour-a-day care.7 This option may be appropriate for those with limited social support, complex medical issues, co-occurring conditions, or a high risk of relapse.2 If you or your loved one is considering rehab, it may also be important to consider whether your home environment is supportive for recovery. If you have concerns in this area, inpatient rehab may be a setting to consider.8 It is important that you are able to focus on your recovery in as peaceful an environment as possible.

During outpatient rehab, patients can sleep at home, leave the treatment facility, and sometimes even work.8 There are different levels of outpatient care, including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and standard outpatient programs that lean on visits with a behavioral clinician.8 Depending on the level of outpatient care you receive, you may or may not be able to continue work or school while in treatment.

Whether you or your loved one pursues an inpatient, full outpatient, partial-hospitalization outpatient, or evening outpatient program, there are therapy programs that are likely to be a part of your treatment program. Knowing about these therapeutic programs and what to expect well before treatment can help you to feel less anxious about the unknown aspects of a rehab program.

Therapy Programs at Private Rehab Facilities

There are behavioral therapies, support groups, counseling, and/or 12-Step programs that are critical components of care at a private addiction treatment facility. The following evidence-based modalities may be used across settings to ensure the best recovery outcomes:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic model used to treat a host of diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, substance addiction, and trauma.9 CBT training empowers the patient to observe and modify thoughts and behaviors.9
  • Contingency management. Contingency management (CM), also sometimes called motivational incentives, is a therapy model based on behavioral theory and operant conditioning.9 Rewards and the withholding of privileges may be used. CM can be used alone or alongside other therapeutic tools in a rehab setting.9
  • Motivational interviewing. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a model that promotes motivation toward confident and clear decision-making along with the establishment and pursuit of goals.9 The root causes of internal conflict about moving forward with decisions are explored, but the focus is on improving problem-solving skills.
  • The 12-Step model. 12-Step group therapy is a tool for fostering connection and social support in the pursuit of abstinence.10 Rehab facilities may use 12-Step or other group models to encourage self-insight and recovery tool development.

As with any rehab process, the success of your recovery will depend on ongoing aftercare and relapse prevention. This involves planning for therapy, possible medication management, and social support beyond the timeframe of the rehab program.


How to Find Private Rehab Centers Near Me

If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder, gathering more information is the first step in beginning the journey toward recovery. Taking the first step might be hard, but a new way of life may be possible. Your primary care doctor, primary insurance company, Medicaid, or Medicare program may be able to help you learn about your rehab treatment options. What is available to you will depend on your state, ability to travel and health insurance coverage, among other factors.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of addiction treatment programs and has trusted facilities across the country. Our treatment directory can help you locate private AAC rehab centers. You can also call us free at to speak with a caring AAC representative today.

Health Insurance Providers That May Cover Private Treatment

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