Millions of people struggle with a certain addiction. It can be an addiction to alcohol, gambling, illicit drugs, and others. However, only a small percentage of these people receive the treatment that they need to kick the habit and get better. There are two main types of rehabilitation centres that can cater to people with addiction problems. The first is the government-funded centres and the other is private rehab facilities for addiction treatment. In this article, let’s try to get to know what these two types of addiction treatment centres offer.
Quick Comparison: Private Rehab VS Government-Funded Centers
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction and seeking help, you have likely found yourself weighing out the pros and cons of government and private care. We’ve created a chart to make this process easier for you and help you decide which of the countless available rehab centres and treatment options are best suited to your needs.
| Treatment/ Facility | Government Care | Private Care (Addiction Rehab Toronto) |
| Customized Program | 21-day program | 14,30,45,60 or 90-day programs |
| Wait Time | 3-6 month wait | Within days |
| Aftercare | 3 Months | Lifetime |
| Client-Counsellor Ratio | 10: 1 | 3: 1 |
| Re-entry upon Relapse | None, or a long wait time | Within Days |
| Treatment Plan | Standardized practice | Client-focused care |
| Family Support | Limited | On-going and incorporated in the treatment plan |
| Long-Term Support | Limited | Onsite sober living, alumni, outpatient, 4 times a week aftercare |
Disclaimer: The information provided is used as a reference and a guideline, information can vary from different government and private addiction treatment facilities.
If you want to dig deeper, read on.
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Government Funded Centres
With government-funded centres for addiction treatment, people who have addictions can be provided with affordable options when it comes to getting sober. There are many services that this type of facility can offer. Some of these services include medical detox, therapies, and post-rehab counselling.
Government-funded centres help a lot of people with addiction problems start their journey to recovery. Treatments are given without requiring a lot of financial resources from the recovering individual. These centres are open to people who need treatment but are having difficulties in coming up with the resources to enroll in a private rehab facility.
Most people or families of individuals with addiction want to take advantage of these government-funded facilities, however, they don’t know how. It will only need a bit of research as well as the right preparation to be able to locate a good facility in your area.
This type of addiction treatment centre depends on the government for funding to be able to provide treatment for people with addiction problems. These facilities exist to cater to individuals who don’t have enough resources or insurance coverage to enter a private addiction rehab treatment centre. Apart from treating addiction, most government-funded centres also provide services in criminal justice, child protection, and vocational training.
Who is Qualified for Treatment for Government-Funded Facilities?
This mainly depends on various factors. For example, different states may have their own criteria for eligibility. Do check the government funded addiction treatment centres in your area so you can inquire if you or your loved one is qualified to enter the facility for treatment.
However, there are some basic requirements that are common among government-funded facilities. This includes having a legal status in the country and the patient should be a resident of the state where the centre is located. The debt and income status may also be asked from the patient, as well as his or her addiction history and medical history.
Once all of the pieces of information are provided and verified by the treatment centre, the patient may be admitted and provided with the necessary treatments at either a low cost or at no cost at all.
Related article: How Much Does a Drug Addiction Rehab Cost in Canada?
Private Rehab Facilities
It can be extremely difficult to watch someone you care to deal with a serious addiction. Unfortunately, people suffering do not have control over their use of a substance and can become dependent on it in order to make it through their daily lives. This can become a very dangerous situation for themselves as well as their loved ones.
Addiction Rehab Toronto is a private residential treatment centre. What this means is that we are not government-funded, nor are we covered by provincial healthcare (ex. OHIP). If you are considering addiction treatment for yourself or a loved one, it is important to understand some of the advantages of paying for private treatment as opposed to Government funded treatment.
Quick Admission
There is a very limited window when an addict agrees to seek help for addiction. If an addict requests or accepts help, it is important that a treatment program is available to them right away. If they need to wait for treatment they might change their mind. Public Government funded rehabs have a longer waitlist, for the most part, while private rehabs can most likely intake immediately. This also may extend to government-funded detox facilities vs. private treatment facilities.
Longer duration of treatment
In Canada, many government-funded treatment programs are limited to between 2 to 3 weeks. Addiction Rehab Toronto, offer 30,45, 60 and 90+ day treatment options. No limit is placed on the length of time a client can remain in treatment. Private facilities provide patients with the ability to obtain care for as long as they require.
Personalized Care
Private facilities tend to have a higher staff-to-client ratio than government-funded facilities. This translates into the resources being available to tailor and execute an individualized treatment program, based on individual needs. Clients are able to connect with a clinical staff member at any time of their stay and process some of the questions or struggles that they are having which can be addressed with the care they need.
Control Over the Recovery Environment
Private facilities have the ability to control the program management and group of clients participating in the program at any given time. Private recovery facilities reserve the ability to remove any disruptive patients from the facility if required. This ensures that a positive, peaceful and safe environment is maintained at all times.
A Wide Range of Therapies
Private treatment facilities have the resources to offer a diverse range of holistic recovery therapies. Addiction Rehab Toronto does not just offer one-on-one therapy, group therapy and family therapy. We also offer additional therapies such as Personal Training and Fitness, Nutrition, Yoga, Pilates, Tai- Chi Therapy, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Self-portrait Photography, and much more. These holistic methods have been proven to contribute to successful and long-term recovery.
Services For Alumni
Private rehab facilities typically offer an aftercare program. Just because your inpatient recovery phase is over, does not mean that your ties with Addiction Rehab Toronto will be cut. We offer a lifetime aftercare program, and our clients are always welcome back at the facility when desired. We have an open-door policy for our alumni and their loved ones at any time.
Government-funded rehab facilities do have advantages most notably they are free. Government-funded facilities use outdated techniques because of a limited budget, therefore, have to make do with what they have. They often use the same methodology that has been around for decades because upgrades cost money.
However, the field of addiction science is constantly evolving, continuously coming up with new developments. This is not to say that the older techniques might not work, but they might not be as effective as a private treatment program would be.
Differences between Private Rehab and Government Funded Centres
Private rehab and Government funded facilities will both have professional staff to help with your addiction. Your decision all depends on your current situation and the type of treatment which will best suit your needs. It is important to educate yourself about different treatment options, to ensure that you can make an informed and confident decision.
Since government-funded centres have limited resources and funds, they won’t always be able to provide their patients with intensive therapies as well as customized plans for treatment. Also, another problem they face is not being able to use the latest technologies available for addiction treatment, unlike most private rehab facilities.
Nevertheless, this is not to say that the treatments at government-funded centres are not effective. We have to remember that it’s better to have some kind of treatment than not having any kind of treatment at all.
Some of the results you can expect from government funded centres are that you’ll have reduced use of your substance of choice, you can work on getting healthy, and you’ll be prepared to re-enter society as a productive and sober person once more.
Many government-funded centres only offer short-term programs such as 30-day drug addiction treatments. In private rehab centres, patients can be provided with longer rehabilitation periods such as 60-day or 90-day treatments. Long-term rehab programs are proven by studies to be more effective compared to short-term ones. So, it’s best to enter the long-term rehab programs for addiction.
As for the facilities, the ones in government-funded centres are simpler compared to the ones in private rehab facilities. Nevertheless, these facilities are very important in society in providing treatment to people who want to recover from addiction. If you feel you do not have the resources to enroll in a private rehab centre, you can always inquire at a government-funded centre in your area. Remember that getting some treatment is better than none at all.
At Addiction Rehab Toronto, we offer complete care for your loved ones suffering from any number of types of addiction. Our team specializes in treatment for drugs (including cocaine, opioids, prescription drugs, etc) as well as alcohol abuse. Our expert team is made up of leading therapists, rehabilitation experts and hand-selected mentors, who are ready to help each and every patient overcome the addiction they are struggling with.
Our goal is to support our clients and their families throughout the treatment and rehabilitation process through carefully chosen counselling sessions and other recovery techniques. We offer the resources you and your loved ones need to overcome addiction and restore relationships among those involved.
Summary
Research shows that apart from the monetary aspect, privatized institutions are normally favourable to government-owned rehab centres. This is because although private care is pricey, it proves more effective.
Statistically, approximately 70-80% of government-created addicts suffer from a relapse. With such a low success rate, enrolling in government-funded facilities seems like a futile attempt at recovery. Due to the high demand for subsidized services, public rehab centres are typically highly crowded. Wait times can be very lengthy, which is never in the patient’s best interest. What’s more, stringent budgets constrict government-owned rehab centres to very basic amenities, so patients can’t enjoy the luxury of recreation centres, fitness clubs, and outdoor courtyards.
They are also restricted to a limited number of generic treatments, rather than receiving personalized care. With private care, patients are offered a more customized experience to meet their needs. From one-on-one therapy to specialized group programs, patients can rest assured knowing they will be given the concern and attention that they need to recoup.
Private rehab centres also offer more variety – bet it a broader assortment of nutritious meals to choose from, cutting-edge amenities, or simply more updated housing, you or a loved one are sure to find something that works for you. You can also be sure that you’ll be taken care of post-release, should you need the help. In the case of relapse, privately owned rehab centres will immediately re-admit patients for further care.
Related article: How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in BC?
