Out-of-State Treatment: Pros and Cons

Weigh the benefits and disadvantages of attending alcohol or drug rehab away from home, it may be worth the trip.

The decision to enter a treatment facility for addiction can be life-changing .

Once you’ve made the health-affirming choice to enter recovery, the next step is choosing the right rehab facility for you. There are addiction treatment centers all over the country, making it relatively easy to find a program that’s close to home. However, it’s not uncommon to hear of people traveling to a different state to receive treatment.

While this may seem inconvenient or expensive, going to receive treatment in a new place offers many benefits. It may not be easy leaving your family and friends behind to overcome an addiction, but doing so could be vital to your long-term success.

Here are some benefits and disadvantages of attending rehab away from home to help you decide whether it’s worth the travel.

Benefits Of Rehab Away From Home

There are many reasons people go out of state to receive treatment for their addiction. Here are a few:

• It’s a chance to start over. Removing yourself from the triggers and negative influences in your daily environment helps you focus and gives you a better shot at a successful recovery.
• It’s a commitment. The time and energy invested in traveling help curb the temptation to quit your treatment early.
• It’s the right program. Expanding your search to other places increases your chance of finding the right treatment program to meet your physical and psychological needs.

Disadvantages Of Rehab Away From Home

Traveling out of state for rehab isn’t right for everyone. There are two significant factors to consider:

• Do I need a lot of family support? If you’re someone who heavily relies on the support of your family, being far away from home may do more harm than good. Also, it may be beneficial to integrate family or loved ones into the late stages of recovery. Options are available at many treatment facilities for this, but travel or video conferencing may be necessary if your chosen facility is far away from your support network.
• Will my insurance cover it? Sometimes, an insurance company will only pay for a limited number of addiction treatment options. However, insurance isn’t limited to in-state treatment programs. Some insurance plans will pay for out-of-state facilities, so it’s important to talk to your insurance company ahead of time to check your insurance coverage based on your policy.

Is Rehab Worth The Travel?

Traveling for rehab is – in many cases – worth it, as it provides many benefits that you may not get at a treatment center that’s close to home.

Each person has different needs and preferences when it comes to addiction treatment and their rehab experience. Sitting down and thinking about which location and program may be right for you is a valuable step towards lifelong recovery.

The Recovery Village has accredited centers all over the country, offering comprehensive treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions in a safe, supportive environment. Call today to see how we can help you start on the road to recovery.

Editor – Melissa Carmona

As the content manager at Advanced Recovery Systems, Melissa Carmona puts years of writing and editing experience to work helping people understand substance abuse, addiction and mental health disorders. Read more