One of the biggest struggles people have when recognising they have a problem with drugs or alcohol is the worry around how to pay for treatment.

It’s such a huge step admitting to having a problem, and paying for rehab can feel like another huge hurdle. But it doesn’t have to be. There are dozens of options available these days and finding an affordable drug rehab cost is much simpler than it used to be.

There are options for funding treatment these days too, so if you are concerned, but need to go to rehab in order to get your life back on track, here are five options that could be worth considering…

Rehab through the NHS

Firstly, it is possible to get addiction treatment and rehab services through the NHS. In order to do this, the first step is to go and see your GP and explain your addiction. They will assess your condition and then refer you on to the relevant addiction service.

You’ll find these days the NHS offers a wealth of services around addiction, from detoxing to counselling and full rehab programmes. What is worth noting though, particularly today when the NHS is stretched and addiction rates are rising, is that you could end up on a lengthy waiting list for treatment, and it isn’t guaranteed you will get help. That is dependent on exactly how severe your addiction is.

Covered with private health insurance

Many people in the UK have private health insurance these days, particularly as many workplaces now offer it to their staff as a perk. In some cases, your private health insurance can cover addiction treatment and rehab.

Look through the documents of your agreement and see exactly what that entails. It may be that there are a few limitations, but it can bring down the cost of your treatment significantly, as well as being a quicker route to getting the help you need.

You may be able to self fund it

Self funding is the most common option, but it does also require the financial means. It will give you more flexibility on the rehab you wish to go to, and it’ll allow you to find one that suits your needs.

People will often do things like sell cars, take loans and so on to fund this. What is worth noting, though, is that while it may seem expensive to you in the short term, it will save you money in the long term as addiction can be costly. Think about how much you’ve spent on alcohol or drugs over the years.

Find a charity that can help you

If self-funding is not an option, there are many charities and non-profit organisations out there that can help those struggling access addiction treatment. They can provide financial assistance, grants and subsidies for those that really need it.

What you’ll also find is that some rehab centres also offer scholarships and sliding pay scales based upon what is affordable to each individual.

Get support from your local council

While this won’t apply to every area, local authorities may also have schemes and funding in place to help people who are struggling. The best thing to do in order to see what is available is to contact your local council’s social services department and get them to run through your options.