Expert Insights
I recently learned that a street outreach program used in New York City is being implemented in Syracuse, and I couldn’t be more supportive. Onondaga County has used some of the money from opioid lawsuits and awarded $3.7 million to six organizations for outreach and addiction treatment efforts. The money will be used towards medication-assisted treatment, harm reduction services, street outreach, increased access to Narcan and drug testing kits, and drug prevention in schools. I think it’s a great idea that the money is being spent in these specific and meaningful ways because if we don’t reduce harm, we don’t have a chance of saving a life. By just pushing recovery and abstinence programs, we run the risk of not meeting people where they are at and that’d be dangerous, because of fentanyl infiltrating the drug supply. People who take drugs need to be supported, not criminalized. And when accessing harm reduction services, people struggling with addiction are more likely to enter recovery.
~ Nikki Seay
Cost of Drug Rehab in Syracuse, NY
The price of drug rehab in Syracuse, NY, varies, due to the following factors:
- Treatment setting – Inpatient settings are more expensive than outpatient settings, due to the 24/7 care provided.
- Treatment location – Rural locations are typically more affordable than urban areas. Highly desirable areas usually cost more as well.
- Features and amenities – If a program offers more features or luxury amenities, it costs more. Some facilities include very high-end amenities that greatly increase the cost of treatment.
- Duration of program – Longer programs cost more. Typical drug rehabs in Syracuse, NY, last for 30, 60, or 90 days.
- Health insurance coverage – Insurance often covers treatment costs, but coverage varies by provider and plan.
While costs vary throughout Syracuse and the state, in New York, the average cost of outpatient rehab is $1,706. For inpatient treatment, the average cost in New York is $56,653. Based on national averages for medication assisted treatment, Syracuse residents can expect to pay around $126 per week for methadone, $155 per week for buprenorphine, and $1,177 per month for Naltrexone.8
How to Pay for Treatment in Syracuse, NY
Private Insurance
Coverage varies by provider and plan, but all insurance carriers must cover substance abuse treatment to some extent.
Medicaid
New York’s Medicaid program provides health coverage to lower-income residents of Syracuse. These services include coverage for substance abuse treatment.
Medicare
Medicare is the federal health insurance program that covers individuals 65 or older or who have certain disabilities. Many Medicare plans are available, and most include coverage for drug rehab in Syracuse, NY.
Sliding Scale Payment Options
These programs allow you to pay only what you can afford based on your income. You must provide proof of income to qualify.
TRICARE Insurance
TRICARE provides health insurance coverage for active-duty service members, retirees, and their family members. This military-personnel coverage includes drug rehab in Syracuse, NY.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
Through IHS (Indian Health Service), American Indians and Alaska Natives can receive low-cost or no-cost drug rehab in Syracuse, NY.
Making Drug and Alcohol Rehab More Affordable
If drug rehab in Syracuse, NY, feels out of reach financially, try the following options to reduce the cost.
Choose a Program Offering Payment Plans
Payment plans allow you to work with the facility to pay for your treatment in small weekly or monthly increments.
Apply for a Rehab Scholarship
Scholarships for drug rehab in Syracuse, NY, are often available through treatment facilities, corporations, and non-profit organizations.
Ask About Sliding Scale Payment Options
While not always heavily advertised by facilities, this option is often available. It allows you to pay only what you can afford for treatment, based on your income.
Syracuse Drug and Alcohol Statistics
The following numbers reveal recent trends in drug use and related issues in Syracuse, Onondaga County, and the state of New York.
- In 2019, there were at least 57,294 arrests for drug offenses in New York.1
- During the 12-month period ending June 2022, there were 173 drug overdose deaths in Onondaga County.2
- In 2020, the opioid dispensing rate in Onondaga County was 59.5 per 100 persons.3
- The rate of drug-related crime in Syracuse is 4.31 per 1,000 residents.4
- The chances of being a victim of drug-related crime in Syracuse vary from 1 in 142 to 1 in 546, depending on the neighborhood.4
- In 2021, opioid overdoses killed 186 Onondaga County residents.5
- More than 90% of opioid overdoses in Onondaga County during the first quarter of 2022 involved fentanyl.5
- Onondaga County experienced 108 opioid-related deaths during the first nine months of 2022.6
- In 2021, emergency medical services administered Naloxone 551 times in Onondaga County.7
- There were 3,393 admissions to OASAS-certified substance use disorder treatment programs in Onondaga County during 2021.7
Alcohol and Drug Laws in Syracuse, NY
Laws in Syracuse and New York include the following ordinances regarding substance use and related issues.
911 Good Samaritan Law: This law provides protection from legal repercussions for people who call 911 to report an overdose. The goal is to remove the fear of prosecution so people get the emergency medical help they need.
Overdose Prevention Bills: Five overdose prevention bills were created to reduce the number of overdoses in New York and encourage New Yorkers to get treatment for substance use disorders. The bills decriminalize individuals who have a substance use disorder and provide equal care for all.
Employee Protections for Addiction Treatment: The state of New York considers substance use disorders a disability, which grants employees protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This helps employees receive time off to attend treatment, without fear of losing their job.
Levels of Care for Addiction Treatment in Syracuse, NY
Detox: Before you can begin drug rehab in Syracuse, NY, you first complete the detox process. This involves safely flushing your systems of all toxins, so you can begin treatment free of physical dependence on substances.
Inpatient or residential: This is the most intensive type of treatment, involving 24/7 care while you live at a facility and participate in various forms of therapy, such as group and individual counseling.
Outpatient: Outpatient treatment is available in three different models, which vary in their level of intensity.
- Standard outpatient treatment
- Intensive Outpatient programs (IOPs)
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
Telehealth and Online Addiction Treatment: This option is available for those who can’t attend treatment in person. Providers deliver treatment remotely through videoconferencing, apps, and other online tools.
Aftercare and Relapse Prevention: Once treatment is complete, aftercare, such as a 12-step program, provides ongoing support to help you maintain long-term recovery.
Resources
- State-by-State Laws. (n.d.). Drug Policy Alliance.
- Provisional County Drug Overdose Deaths. (2022, February 8). National Center for Health Statistics.
- U.S. County Opioid Dispensing Rates, 2020. (2021, October 5). Drug Overdose | CDC Injury Center.
- Syracuse metro, NY drug-related crime rates and maps. (n.d.). CrimeGrade.Org.
- jmulder @syracuse.com, J. T. M. |. (2022, August 3). Onondaga County sees 14 opioid overdoses in one day. Spike linked to fentanyl. Syracuse.
- Onondaga County Opioid Epidemic Data Report. (n.d.). Healthy Stories.
- Onondaga County Opioid Epidemic Data Report. (n.d.). Healthy Stories.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). How much does opioid treatment cost? National Institute on Drug Abuse.
- Scott, M. (2023, March 1). The city of Syracuse records more than 40 overdoses this week from new drug, xylazine. WSTM.
