Good residential alcohol and drug rehabs have saved lives, families, and careers. How can you put a price on that? Good rehabs don't mind that I share the following information with you. This article (a true consumer alert) is about the numerous bad rehabs advertising all over the web with impunity.
First and foremost in the mind of someone searching for a residential drug and alcohol rehab is how much will it cost. Among the many other questions anyone might have, the concern about expense seems to rise to the top. But don’t tell that to your average rehab because they are under the delusion (shall we call it denial?) that money is not an issue. The proof? Just look at all their websites; hardly ever a mention of their fees. Or maybe, the cost of their program is such privileged information that you need to call them first to be worthy of getting any answer on how much it will cost you. The real answer why rehabs don’t advertise their fees is unfortunately far more sinister. Yes, in your moment of greatest need, the rehab will try anything to manipulate and cajole you into calling one of their caring/empathic/compassionate associates (i.e. salespeople) whose main purpose is to assist (i.e. sell) you in realizing that their fee is never too high to save your life or the life of your loved one.
Go to any rehab’s website and you will find lots of “information.” Ignore the fact that most such websites are a bit of a rough read because their site is continuously search engine optimized: the headers and body-text are heavy with repeated keyword usage. If you reveal the source (html) of their website you will see meta-titles and descriptions screaming out to all search engine spiders within listening distance. This means only one thing: what you are looking at is their well-polished online sales piece. Still, these rehab websites are seemingly packed with so much information, including the ever-present toll-free number to get live help 24/7. But something is missing in 97% of all such websites. Something that 97% of people who are interested in getting rehab for themselves or a loved one want to know. It's their price tag, but where is it? Go ahead: read their unusually verbose website word-for-word, check out all their links. Using logic, you might skip straight to their FAQ’s page, after all if 97%+ people want to know, it would certainly qualify to appear on their FAQ’s page. Oh, but it does not.
Most rehabs will induce people to call them first in order to get any information on the cost of their program. Here's why: by getting you on the phone, you become a “captive audience” often forced (by reasons of courtesy or gullibility) to listen to their sales pitch on why their price is justified, reasonable, or just downright generous (and why you should begin the admissions process immediately by sending in a non-refundable deposit).
Some rehabs (imitating those that they treat?) rationalize, and not-so-honestly, why you must call them to get their price quote: their prices change often, so you have to call to get their latest updated pricing information (even though websites are easily and frequently updated); everybody is different so their pricing must be customized to the individual (simply posting a fee schedule, or an itemized price list on their website would seem to solve this not-so-complicated issue); and my favorite… you must call and “qualify” yourself for their services first before cost is discussed. Some rehabs, without even giving you any idea about the cost, will describe in detail the convenient terms in which they will accept payment.
Ask the owners/operators of these rehabs why they must deliberately leave out their fees in order to compel their website visitors to call for such information, and you will get a consistent answer (the 'under-lying rationalization')... Their program is so helpful, the positive consequences of which are so beneficial, that this deceptive advertising practice is for the greater good. Greater good for the rehab? Au contraire: for the greater good of YOU (or your loved one), mired in the misery of addiction and its consequences. So, you see, all (97%) of these rehabs are not being up front about their fees for your own benefit. Now, if this doesn’t give you a warm feeling deep inside, don’t feel bad for two reasons. First, deception stinks. Second, rationalizations are what people do to assuage guilt and feel better about themselves; it is just this sort of manipulation that alcoholics and drug dependents get very good at over time. Maybe these rehab operators are learning a thing or two from their clientele?
A well-known principle in marketing is that when consumers are faced with an overwhelming number of choices they tend to choose early, then spend the rest of their time justifying to themselves why their choice was the best. By compelling the rehab consumer to call in order to get pricing information, the rehab has the golden opportunity of getting the consumer to buy early. A verbal commitment, or even a bed-doposit later, the consumer is on the hook. If you find this marketing practice deceptive, don't give them your business. Although since very few rehabs actually quote their fees on their sales literature, such a bold move may seriously limit your choices.
Note to Rehabs
Put pricing information on your Web site, if it isn't on your home page, than at least provide a clearly marked link from your home page and all other substantive pages on your Web site. Knowing that the MOST frequently asked question is about your fees, please include it on your FAQ's page, if you have one. If you feel that your fees are "complicated" or must be "customized" to the needs of the client, provide a well-annoted fee schedule, or at the very least, provide a price range with an explanation of why quoting a price range is necessary. If your prices change frequently, remember that it takes less than 10 seconds to update a text file on your Web site. Also, you can put a disclaimer, on the Web page that has your fee, simply stating that you fees are subject to reasonable change. If you still do not want to state your fees without the consumer having to call you, ask yourself why; and be as honest with your answer as you expect your clients to conduct themselves when they walk through your door in the hopes of transforming their lives.
Note to Consumers
Why should the fees of the rehab be important to you? For one, affordability is a 'yes or no' qualifier. Also, when pricing rehabs, ask yourself what your plan is if there is a relapse, or a return to the old patterns of usage behaviors. Good residential rehabs can work miracles, but are still far from achieving a 100% cure rate. Will you need money for another rehab? Will you need to be able to send your loved back to the same rehab for more time? Relapse or not, were you expecting to enroll in a local outpatient program (which has its own fees) after residential treatment to ease the transition into a clean and sober life?
If you spot an appealing rehab on the web, but can't find their fees, go ahead and call them for a price quote only. Yes, it seems unfair that the onus of gathering data that should be on their website or other sales materials is on you. Still, call their toll-free number, and before letting them gather any information on you, just ask them what their fees are. Then, unless you have other immediately pressing questions, hang up the phone, and let the information sink in. Don't make an impulsive buying decision on such an important service for you or your loved one. If you can't get a good idea of their fees within the first 10 seconds of the call, hang up the phone: don't fall for their dubious sales tactics. Remember, you are the one that must live with the consequences of your choice of a residential rehab. It would be a rare occurence for a consumer to find the best rehab for him or herself on the very first phone call. Great rehabs are out there, and it might take a few phone calls to find one.
Summary
As you probably can imagine, residential rehabs are typically expensive. And for good reason. Many factors go into a good residential facility to make it a safe, comfortable, and effective place to get well.
However, if a rehab doesn’t provide pricing information on their website it might be a hint of something a little more ominous than ‘oversight.’ Perhaps they might feel a little shame for providing a service that doesn’t measure up to the value of their potential customer’s money. Or, one good rationalization later, perhaps not.
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As promised in a previous article, here are a few rehab websites that actually quote their fees (please email me with more examples and I will update this article!):
Duffys Myrtledale
Bayside Marin
Christian Rehab Options
Practical Recovery Services
Desert Canyon Treatment Center
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I appreciate your feedback, especially by email!
My email: betteraddcare@yahoo.com
Related: Residential alcohol treatment center, drug rehab, addiction rehabilitation, substance abuse, alcoholism, twelve step, alternative to 12 step, recovery program, prescription drugs, before rehab, best rehabs
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