In 2009, more than 23.5 million Americans 12 years of age or older were in need of treatment due to either drug or alcohol abuse. Sadly, a mere 2.6 million (just over 11 percent) of those people actually received the professional medical attention they so desperately needed. Though there are many potential reasons why an alcohol addict might hesitate to seek treatment, one major concern is privacy. The shame and guilt many addicts feel can lead people with addictive behaviors to fear discovery, but hiding from help can also mean hiding from the chance at a brighter, healthier future.
Shared Secrecy
One of the main tenets of 12-step programs as well as other counseling and support groups is anonymity. These therapy sessions hold the promise of privacy as there is a mutual sense of respect – both for the recovery process as well as for the family and friends of each recovering addict – that creates a comfortable and safe place for healing to take place. By seeking out support groups run by qualified counselors or under the auspices of licensed and properly trained leadership, that promise of privacy is even more likely to be upheld.
Cash Pay vs. Insurance
Your personal or company-provided health insurance plan may cover alcohol rehabilitation programs, but using that insurance means involving more people than you may be comfortable with. Many employees worry that their jobs might be in jeopardy if their addiction secret is found out, or that they’ll be ostracized or treated differently if their boss or the company HR department finds out about their plans for rehab. In these instances, cash pay, or paying for treatment out of pocket rather than relying on insurance coverage, may be an option. Rehabilitation centers often offer self-pay patients competitive rates far below those given to insurance companies.
Opt for PPO Insurance
If cash pay isn’t an option, you’ll need to rely on insurance to pay for rehab. PPO insurance allows you to seek the care of a specialist (in this case an addiction expert or similar medical professional) without first visiting a primary care physician (PCP) to receive a referral. When keeping alcohol rehab private is a serious concern, involving as few people as possible in the process may mean the difference between successfully enrolling in a program and succumbing to fear and addiction yet again.