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American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

Drug and Alcohol Rehab for the Disabled

People with cognitive or physical disabilities have higher rates of substance use disorders and lower prevalence of getting treatment than other people.1 Those with disabilities may start misusing substances in an attempt to reduce chronic pain, disability-related stigma, social isolation, or the psychological effects of trauma.1 Substance abuse treatment centers offer increased opportunities for people with disabilities, such as: 2

  • Relevant, up-to-date assistive technology.
  • Accessible physical environment for everyone.
  • Knowledgeable staff.
  • Services that enable the participation of people who have a disability.

Those with disabilities who enter rehab for drug or alcohol addiction can experience many benefits.2 Effective care will include help for addiction as well as any physical, psychological, social, or work-related problems that a patient is going through.2

This article will discuss barriers to addiction care for disabled people, risk factors for the development of substance misuse, detox, different levels of care, health insurance, as well as how professionals can help and in what types of settings. It also provides help in finding the right rehab center, which is an important part of treatment recovery.3

Barriers to Addiction Treatment for the Disabled

Barriers are often present for a disabled person who is seeking addiction treatment services.1 These issues can be social, financial, psychological, environmental, or physical.1 Barriers may also relate to the facilities that provide treatment.1 Examples of this include:

  • Buildings, including entrances and parking, that do not provide accommodations for people using wheelchairs, such as facilities with no elevators or ramps.1 This can include hallways that are too narrow and flooring that is uneven.4
  • Lack of reading materials in an appropriate format, such as Braille or large print, for those with visual impairments, including blindness.1
  • Treatment approaches that are not suited or properly adapted for people with learning or intellectual disabilities, such as services that are not aligned with reading levels or cognitive abilities.1
  • Policies that do not accommodate the disabled population; for example, a facility that requires patients to be able to self-evacuate in case of emergency.1
  • Staff not knowing sign language or having the training to use relevant technologies to communicate with people with hearing difficulties.1

Risk Factors of Disability and Substance Use Disorder

Drug and alcohol addiction and disability can go hand-in-hand, as people with disabilities are confronted with numerous risk factors for substance use disorder.5 One potential risk factor is one’s financial situation, as this population faces higher rates of unemployment and lower income.5

Additional risk factors can include chronic physical pain, as well as depression and isolation that relate to some disabled individuals’ personal limitations in cognitive skills and ability to exhibit adaptable behaviors that directly affect everyday skills.1,5

For example, consider a case of a man who was recently in a car accident and confined to a wheelchair. He may be feeling depressed, isolated, experiencing significant pain, and in need of pain medication. This combination of disadvantages could potentially increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder.

How Addiction Professionals Can Help the Disabled

Some facilities may be better equipped than others to provide drug rehab for disabled people.1 Tips for helping individuals with physical disabilities obtain the best addiction treatment possible include:1

  • Providing breaks for patients who cannot sit for prolonged periods of time.
  • If a patient is utilizing a sign language interpreter, reminding others present to take turns talking and directly addressing the hearing-impaired person instead of their interpreter.
  • If a patient is blind, letting others know to make that person aware when they are joining or leaving activities such as group meetings.

Ways to improve service for people with cognitive disabilities include:1

  • Minimizing audio and visual stimuli that could be distracting.
  • Providing an option for shorter, more frequent sessions.
  • Giving reminder summaries of the previous session and repeating key points.
  • Getting input from patients’ loved ones or caregivers about preferred learning styles and individual strengths, such as preferences for visual learning or smaller group sizes.
  • Providing breaks when needed.
  • Regularly checking in to assess understanding of important information.

In addition, telehealth may assist in engaging patients in rehab treatment due to its ability to provide increased access as well as convenience.6 Multiple studies have shown that telehealth is as effective as in-person treatment, as measured by rates of retention in therapy, perceived therapeutic alliance, and levels of substance abuse.6 It also significantly eliminates transportation barriers.6

Drug and Alcohol Rehab Settings for the Disabled

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria provide guidance in choosing the appropriate level of substance use treatment across a continuum of services.7

The ASAM levels of care are:7

  • Prevention/early intervention.
  • Outpatient care (Level 1).
  • Intensive outpatient/partial hospitalization (Level 2).
  • Residential/inpatient (Level 3).
  • Intensive inpatient (Level 4).

Scientific studies have shown that detox and subsequent linking of patients to appropriate levels of care leads to increased levels of recovery.8

As mentioned previously, substance use disorders can be effectively treated via telehealth treatment.6 Telehealth can take different forms and offer various aspects of treatment including intake assessment, individual counseling, group therapy, and intensive outpatient services.6

Does Insurance Cover Addiction Rehab for the Disabled?

All health plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) cover 10 listed essential health benefits, which include services for mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorders.16 Each health insurance plan is different and coverage should always be verified, as benefits depend on location and one’s particular health plan.17 Factors such as co-pays, deductibles, out-of-pocket fees, list of providers in-network vs. out-of-network, and HMOs vs. PPOs all affect the cost of services.

You can reach American Addiction Centers (AAC) at to verify health insurance benefits and coverage details. Many health insurance plans pay for drug and alcohol rehab, and most should cover at least some of the costs of treatment.

Finding a Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled

Family and friends may be helpful to talk to about addiction treatment, as they often take on crucial roles in motivating loved ones to begin and stay in treatment.2 Other steps that can be taken to find a rehab facility reaching out to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).2

Treatment providers should inform potential patients of the ability of their services to provide for a range of access needs.1 This will help ensure that people with disabilities can get the best possible care for their substance use concerns.1

When considering which rehab location to choose, it can be helpful to remember several steps for successful treatment, to ensure that the facility provides them.10 These include:10

  • Detoxification services.
  • Medication (as needed for addiction to alcohol and opiates).
  • Treatment for existing co-occurring mental health disorders.
  • Long-term aftercare to lower or eliminate the risk of relapse.

The AAC admissions navigators can help you or your loved one find a treatment facility that offers the services that are needed. Assistance is available 24 hours a day. It may be helpful to discuss some of the accommodations offered for people with disabilities to find the best treatment option available.

Getting Addiction Help for the Disabled

Addiction is a treatable disorder.2 Benefits of receiving treatment for a substance use disorder include motivation to change, improved ability to cope with difficult situations, learning positive reinforcement skills to remain sober, improved interpersonal relationships, and overall increased well-being in life.2

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, support and assistance are available now to aid in beginning the substance use disorder treatment process. There is no better time than now to reach out for help. Call . You can also quickly and easily check your insurance coverage for free by filling out the form below.

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