Published in: Meth Addiction

The Cost of Meth Addiction and Other Substance Abuse Rehab in Toronto

Author Kristen Maloney

Published on: January 28, 2021

The cost of meth addiction treatment is usually a vital determinant when trying to give up the addiction. Most likely, you may be a bit turned off as to how much you have to spend

This can easily lead to a weakening of your resolve to get help. However, that shouldn’t stop you once you decide to seek help for your addiction.

What you may not realize is that it is just as expensive to maintain a meth addiction. Any addiction costs you a lot of money spent on drugs, hospital fees for poor health, and even legal fees.

In this article, we lay it all bare for you. Here, we will examine the costs that go into getting treatment. We will also assess the general price of addiction treatment in Canada. This way, you can develop a financial plan that helps you achieve your addiction treatment and recovery goals. Let’s get in.

Cost of Meth Addiction: How Much Does a Meth Habit Cost?

Methamphetamine is otherwise referred to as crystal meth, meth, blue, ice, amongst others. This is a highly addictive, chemically produced drug that releases dopamine into the human brain.

Meth is cheap and easy to access. A meth addict can go into the production of meth and even start selling it. Generally, in Canada, Winnipeg is considered the cheapest place to buy meth. A hit of meth there costs $5 to $10 while a gram costs $50.

However, according to Statistica, meth consumption figures are not high in Toronto, so the drug is not as popular. As a result, the cost of meth is high, with each hit costing $15 and a gram costing $110.

Cost of addiction to Other Substances

According to a report of the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, drug use costs Canada up to $46 billion yearly. This equates to a total of $1258 for every person in Canada, highlighting the level of drug consumption

The report focuses on the consumption and abuse of substances such as tobacco, cocaine, opioids, cannabis, and alcohol. The costs attributed to tobacco and alcohol only constitute 63% of the total cost leaving 27% to other substances.

The widespread consumption of tobacco and alcohol does great harm to the country. Out of all the documented 277,060 hospital admissions in the recent year, tobacco and alcohol caused 89%.

Furthermore, tobacco and alcohol contributed 76% of the 75,1356 years of life lost due to substances. Meanwhile, the social costs attributable to the consumption of these substances are:

Lost productivity accounts for 44% of the total cost, or $20 billion
Health care costs account for 28% of the total cost, or $13.1 billion
Criminal justice accounts for 20% of the total cost, or $9.2 billion
Direct cost accounts for the remaining 8% equaling $3.6 billion

Before we discuss the cost of meth addiction treatment in Canada, it is important to get context. Context in this case is comparing the cost of maintaining a drug/alcohol habit with the price of rehab

Alcohol

Alcohol is legal in many countries including Canada. Therefore, most consumers of this liquid substance do not quickly consider the cost when they begin to dive into it.

Unlike other substances, alcohol, for most persons, is consumed in high amounts before it can be called an addiction. Taking a bottle or cup may not do much harm.

As the number of bottles starts increasing, with greater consumption frequency, you begin to tread the path of alcoholism.

The average cost of an alcoholic drink in Toronto is $16. Taking three drinks every week amounts to an average of $2496 yearly. This is even the least cost as prices of alcoholic beverages vary with brand, alcoholic content, and size.

For heavy alcohol consumers, the cost, of course, rises. Women take an average of 7 drinks per week while men consume 14 drinks. With an addiction, you take an average of 12 bottles every week amounts to $9984.

These persons, who are prone to alcohol use disorder, spend a lot of money on just alcohol. This is not to mention the health costs that accompany this habit and other similar fees that may arise.

Marijuana

Marijuana is legal in Canada for both medical and recreational purposes. This, alongside the legal age of purchase being 19 years, has influenced the rate of marijuana addiction in Toronto.

Marijuana remains one of the drugs with a high addiction tendency. Interestingly, anyone older than 19 can possess, consume or share as much as 30 grams of marijuana. Thirty grams makes an average of 60 to 75 pre-rolled joints, which costs an average of $160 to $400.

If you consume an average of 5 rolled joints per day, it amounts to an average of $5000 to $12000. Whoever consumes 30 grams within a week spends between $8000 to $20000.

Cocaine

Canada has once ranked to be the second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world. That year, Canadians consumed over three times the amount consumed in other places.

However, cocaine is relatively cheaper in Canada than in other places. In Canada, one gram costs an average of $85, as opposed to the $120 it will go for in other locations.

This gives room for more persons to consume, abuse, and get addicted to the drug. A gram of cocaine can last a few hours, days, or weeks, depending on how addicted you are. You may spend up to $5000 weekly and $30,000 yearly if you consume up to a gram of cocaine daily.

Opioids

Opioids are not commonly available, and getting them often depends on a doctor’s prescription. Therefore, the cost of an opioid addiction depends on the prescription, the availability, and the location of the addict.

The cost of opioid prescriptions may reduce with insurance. But this cannot be accessed by everyone.

Getting opioids on the street is a lot more expensive. However, this is the option most addicts resort to, leading to a high financial consequence. Opioids include several prescriptions such as tramadol, suboxone, oxycodone, Fentanyl, Norco, Oxycontin, and so on.

The street price is an average of 3 times that of the prescription. For instance, the prescription price of fentanyl is $9.4, and the street price is $40. An addict who takes opioids spends an average of $3500 yearly.

Heroine

Heroin is a widely produced drug. As a result of this, the cost of heroin drops continually because the supply is arguably more than the demand.

This drug has a high addiction tendency, and persons consuming heroin are prone to Heroin Use Disorder. A roll of heroin can be sold starting from as low as $5 up to $20.

As reported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the average price of heroin in North America was $152 per gram. Thus, heavy consumers or hardcore addicts may spend as high as $150 to $200 or an average of $54000 annually.

Modes of Addiction Treatments and Associated Costs

When discussing the cost of meth addiction treatment in Toronto, it’s important to factor in the type of treatment program.

Generally, meth addiction treatment in Toronto is done in tranches, the usual time span being 30 days. Therefore, most payment information come on a 30-day basis, unless otherwise specified.

Detox

This is the first and non-negotiable step of most addiction treatments. During detox, your body removes the drugs and becomes clean. It is a safe method of undergoing and then overcoming withdrawal from the drugs alcohol.

On average, you may have to spend between $250 to $800 per day to undergo detox in many centers. Generally, many things affect the cost of meth addiction detox, one of which is the level of care. Detox with medical personnel present will involve more money.

Similarly, medication to counteract painful withdrawal symptoms come at a cost. You may also expect a difference if you undergo detox as an inpatient or an outpatient. Usually, detox is factored into the total cost of inpatient treatment.

Furthermore, you may have to pay close to the higher side of the spectrum, depending on the risks involved. Higher risks involve more dangerous detox and require much closer medical monitoring. Also, if it is an emergency detox, you will have to pay more.

Outpatient treatment

Outpatient care is not for everyone. For the most part, it is dependent on the intensity of meth addiction. The less severe your meth abuse habit, the more likely you can be successfully treated as an outpatient.

Outpatient care is also more likely to be recommended if you have a supportive home environment that encourages sobriety. It also takes into account your regular schedule, disrupting it as minimally as possible.

Outpatient care still retains the hallmarks of treatment. Your provider will initiate you to programs like behavioral therapy and multilevel family therapy. To motivate you to continue putting your best at getting over the addiction, incentives may also be in play.

In outpatient care, you will have to go to the center a few times each week, and for a specified time. The programs you will be attending may be individual or grouped. If there’s a need for medication, it will be provided under the strict attention of a trained medical professional.

On balance, outpatient meth addiction rehab is relatively cheaper than the alternative. There are several free programs offering outpatient care. However, you may expect to spend between $1000 and $10000 for treatment.

You will also see many offerings of $5000 for a three-month program. The amount you pay usually determines how often you go to the center and how long the sessions last.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

This is outpatient care with more intensity. You will be required to go to the center for more days of the week and for longer hours. You may also have to be present for more therapy sessions.

Your provider may deem this the best for you based on the severity of your addiction. It may also be based on the center, possibly the inability to accommodate a fully residential treatment.

Regardless, the cost of meth addiction treatment should be between $3000 and $12000 for a 30-day intensive outpatient treatment.

Inpatient treatment

Here, you will be fully residential in the treatment center. This mode of treatment is usually reserved for those with the most severe addiction. Hence, they require the most critical, round-the-clock care and closest assessment and supervision.

Of course, the programs they will undertake are similar to other types of care. Your addiction treatment experts will use detox, cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management interventions and motivational incentive as necessary.

Expectedly, inpatient care is the most expensive of all addiction treatment methods. Asides from the non-stop care, the center also provides room and board. More high-end centers, like those attended by celebrities, have more amenities provided. All of these will determine the final cost of meth rehab.

The cost of meth addiction treatment in most inpatient centers ranges between $2000 and $25000. More popular and high-end centers provide luxury programs and may charge more than $25000 for the same duration. Of course, if you require a 2-month or 3-month program, your bill is anywhere between $9000 and $60000.

Partial Hospitalisation

Partial hospitalization also provides the best of both sides. You will attend the clinic during the day for an intense treatment, and you can return home after, as long as it proves a stable environment.

The cost of meth rehab with partial hospitalisation ranges between $300 to $500 per day. But, it is worth it.

Medication-assisted Treatment

When calculating the cost of meth addiction treatment in Canada, it’s important to consider the price of medication. Both detox and recovery processes may require you to take some drugs to make it easier.

Complications that may arise during detox also usually require that some medicines are taken. This will all affect the price tag of your treatment.

Medications usually come into play in opiate and alcohol addiction. Also, they can run into a few thousand dollars yearly. For example, the cost of using methadone to treat heroin addiction for a year racks up to between $5000 and $7000. A naltrexone treatment, in addition to drug administration and other services, costs up to $15000 for a year.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Meth Addiction Treatment

Meth addiction treatments are usually a comprehensive process, and it involves a lot of individual components. Each of these components has a say in how much you pay to get meth addiction treatment. They include:

Inpatient vs. outpatient

This means whether you get treatment as an inpatient or an outpatient. Generally, as you will have realised, inpatient services cost considerably more than outpatient basis.

This is due to housing, feeding and non-stop monitoring that happens if you are a resident. There are also admission fees that come with inpatient treatment that will be considered.

Location

The location of the center also determines how much you pay. This is usually dependent on the standard of living in the areas. Essentially, you can expect a facility in a rural area to charge considerably less than one in an urban center.

Length of care

The standard length of treatment for addiction is 30 days. However, you may spend more time than this. The severity of your condition adds to the cost of your meth addiction treatment. It usually leads to a longer treatment time.

You may also choose to stay for longer if having a sober environment for longer will be helpful. Regardless of your reason, the longer you stay at the addiction rehab facility in Toronto, the higher your bill climbs.

Treatments offered

Addiction recovery programs vary depending on the treatments that make up the aforementioned program. If there is more medical care involved, due to withdrawal symptoms during detox, the costs rise.

Also, the scope of professional counselling provided contributes to the cost of meth addiction treatment. The more services provided, the higher you have to pay.

Amenities

Treatment facilities for addiction differ in many ways, one of which is the amenities provided. There are luxury centers that offer top of the range amenities. These amenities may be massages, tennis courts, personal rooms, and excellent chefs.

These luxury centers usually charge higher fees than regular facilities. This also factors into the amount you have to pay to get better from addiction.

Aftercare

While treatment is essential, it is equally crucial to maintain the behaviour and habits imbibed after treatment. With this, you may have to take part in multi-step recovery programs.

Another option is sober living housing, which involves taking up residence in a community focused on staying without drugs. These programs also have their particular costs and add up to the overall price of getting better.

How to Finance Meth Addiction Treatment

The cost of meth addiction treatment is generally high, and is not easy to pay out-of-pocket. This means you have to look for ways to finance your treatment.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is one of the best ways to ensure healthcare amongst the citizens of any given country. The insurance plans vary as there are prepayments, post payments, and deductibles.

Thankfully, health insurance covers the treatment of mental illnesses, including disorders caused by consuming drugs. Thus, insurance can finance the cost of meth addiction treatment in Canada.

Health insurance can come from private companies or the government. Public health insurance in Canada is open to all and sundry, including the unemployed or the self-employed citizens.

Private health insurance often serves as a substitute or even as a supplement for public health insurance. Employers offer private insurance to their employees as one of the employment benefits.

Thus, you can turn to both the applicable public or private health insurance to cover the cost of your meth addiction treatment.

Paying out-of-pocket

Even when an individual has insurance, they may have to pay for some basic things included in the cost of meth addiction treatment from his pocket.

Also, some individuals choose not to use insurance and pay the cost from their pockets. This may occur because they do not have health insurance. They also may not wish to disclose their condition to employers.

However, this will cost an employee or a person a considerable amount of money compared to using insurance. While some healthcare plans allow for cash payment, others are strictly based on insurance.

These facilities charge cash depending on how intensive the treatment is. The cost of meth addiction treatment in cash ranges from $5000 to $50000.

Due to the high cost of addiction treatment in Canada, a person who intends to pay for meth addiction treatment by cash may need financing options such as:

Personal loan
Monthly scholarships
Available individual discounts
Paying with a credit card

State-funded rehab

The state provides a means of treatment for people who cannot pay the price of meth rehab treatment or are not entitled to health insurance. This benevolence entails the cost of addiction treatment in drug and alcohol rehab facilities.

Also, these facilities offer many services such as inpatient, outpatient, detox, and support services.

The only snag with state-funded rehab is the quality of service. Usually, the quality of treatment you will get depends on the source of the funding, the state policy on meth addiction treatment, and the type of treatment program

Look Past the Cost of Meth Rehab

The cost of meth addiction treatment in all cases is worth more than living with the habit. You should always look at the big picture when considering quitting meth and getting help.

More so, there are professional addiction treatment services that offered varied financing plans to make the cost easier on your bank account. 1000 Islands Addictions Treatment Centre is one such partner. Here, we offer comprehensive treatment plans that are flexible enough to cater to your particular needs. Speak to any of our meth addiction treatment experts today!