There are over 46 million Americans who meet the criteria of having a substance use disorder — a little over 16% of the U.S. population — according to SAMHSA’s latest annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Of those, 94% haven’t received any form of treatment for their addiction. That’s a huge disparity between those who need help and those who get it.
One of the most common reasons is simply because some individuals don’t think they need treatment. However, many who actively want help face barriers to treatment that prohibit them from receiving professional assistance.
The 3 Most Common Barriers to Treatment
There are a lot of ways that a person might describe the addiction treatment process — quick is never one of them. In addition to the time needed for the drugs to pass through one’s system physically, there’s the time needed for psychological healing and unlearning destructive old patterns of behavior and ways of thinking. Undergoing treatment can be a considerable time commitment, making it a logistical nightmare for many, calling for money, time, or other resources they don’t have.
1. Affordability
The number one barrier to substance abuse treatment is paying for the service. The average cost of drug treatment is $13,475, and detox alone can cost nearly $2,000. Considering that most Americans don’t have the savings to cover a $400 emergency, shelling out two grand out of pocket can seem impossible.
What about insurance? You’re probably wondering. Well, only half of Americans in treatment have at least some costs that are covered by private insurance. A smaller chunk, one-fifth, has at least some coverage under Medicaid, a joint state and federally-funded health insurance program that provides coverage for low-income people. Everyone else is either paying entirely out of pocket or by some other means.
But having insurance doesn’t mean prospective patients are in the clear. Insurance coverage can be pretty patchy, depending on where you live. For instance, Medicaid in neither Connecticut nor Kentucky covers methadone treatment, whereas in Wisconsin, Medicaid only applies to lower levels of outpatient addiction treatment.
Aside from the actual cost of treatment itself, there are other financial consequences to consider. Taking time off from work can result in loss of income. Having dependents can mean arranging — and paying — for temporary caregivers.
2. Getting There
Even if someone can afford treatment, another major barrier can be just getting there — an issue that can manifest itself in two key ways.
One is the actual geographical location of an addiction treatment center. Drug rehabs tend to be located where the people are, so residents of populous states like California, Florida, and New York have a lot more treatment facilities to choose from compared to residents of states like Wyoming, Vermont, or Montana.
But a state’s population alone doesn’t guarantee accessibility. Facilities tend to be located in and around urban areas. This leaves residents of rural areas having to drive significantly farther for treatment and with fewer (if any) treatment options to choose from. Assuming they have means of transport — an issue that affects urban and rural residents alike.
Other common potential transportation issues include:
- Their license has been revoked, so they can’t drive themselves
- Limited public transportation is available
- Paying for gas or public transportation
3. Social stigma
Aside from those logistical difficulties, there’s a social component that can prove a barrier to drug addiction treatment as well. There’s a stigma associated with drug use and addiction. It originated in the 1800s before the chemistry of how drugs affect the body and brain was understood. Instead, substance abuse was believed to be a moral failing, a lack of willpower, and that individuals simply didn’t want to be better.
Modern scientific research has proved how wildly false this 18th-century assumption is, but this unfair stigma still persists today. As a result, people who use drugs may be unwilling to ask for help or seek treatment as it would require revealing their struggle to others.
And whether we like it or not, humans are highly social creatures. Most of our actions are guided by an intrinsic desire to avoid deviating from the group — or at least, outwardly appearing to do so. Shame, embarrassment, and rejection are powerful deterrents that can keep a person from speaking out. Plus, if you’re not sure how your family members and friends will react, there’s the fear of potentially alienating them.
Find Recovery Today
Overcoming these barriers to treatment is possible. If you’re unsure where to start, it’s a good place to get advice from people who have gone through the same challenges as you. Find an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting near you today.
