Alcohol & Drug Rehabs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The cost of drug and alcohol rehab in Milwaukee varies widely. Several factors play a role in the price, including:

• Setting: inpatient vs. outpatient
• Features and amenities: luxury vs. standard
• Duration of program: 30 vs. 60 vs. 90 days
• Health insurance coverage
• How the facility is funded (e.g., government funding to subsidize the cost)
• Location: city vs. rural

How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is ranked 19th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $56,625 (without insurance).

• Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $139,601
• Long-term inpatient drug rehab in Wisconsin costs an average of $49,968
• Outpatient addiction treatment in Wisconsin costs an average of $8,303
• Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,377

Free rehabs and detox centers in Milwaukee are state-funded, meaning they provide free or low-cost addiction treatments for those who cannot otherwise afford them. They receive grants from the federal government, which helps them provide substance use disorder care at a low cost or for free.⁹

As of 2024, there were over 330 drug rehab facilities across the state of Wisconsin, many in and around Milwaukee. Of those treatment facilities, the following numbers reflect how many centers offer free or low-cost payment methods:

282 accept self-payment or cash

123 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance

255 accept Medicaid insurance coverage

172 accept state funded insurance coverage

276 accept private health insurance

91 offer free or low-cost treatment

3 offer free treatment for all clients

53 accept tribal funding

Yes, most health insurance plans provide coverage to help pay for the costs of drug and alcohol addiction treatments. The Affordable Care Act mandates that all insurance companies provide at least partial coverage for substance use disorder and mental health care in the same way coverage is provided for physical health services.¹²

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act provides further protection for those seeking substance use and mental health care. This law states that coverage must be provided for anyone seeking addiction treatment services.¹³ If you have private health insurance, these laws assure that your health plan will cover at least part of the costs.

Private Insurance

Health insurance coverage provided by private insurance companies is required by law to cover at least some of the costs of all addiction treatments, including drug and alcohol rehabilitation.¹² The amount of coverage provided depends on the specific health plan you have. Call the number on the back of your health insurance card to ask about your plan coverage.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a public health insurance program that provides health insurance coverage for low-income families, people ages 65 years and older, those under 19 years old, pregnant women, and parents.¹⁵ Wisconsin Medicaid covers substance use disorder care in a residential setting. However, Medicaid Wisconsin does not cover room and board expenses.¹⁶

Medicare

Medicare is a health insurance program funded by the government. Medicaid is available to people ages 65 and older and people with certain disabilities.¹⁷ People with Medicare coverage typically pay a monthly premium based on their income.

If you don’t qualify for free drug rehab in Milwaukee or the waitlist is too long, and you want to get into treatment now, you still have options:

Apply for a Scholarship: Some treatment centers in Milwaukee offer scholarships to people who would otherwise be unable to access rehab due to a lack of funds. Scholarships can help bridge the gap between the high cost of care and what you can afford.

Find a Sliding-Scale Program: A sliding scale fee is a flexible fee system that bases the cost on your financial situation and ability to pay. Programs that offer sliding-scale fees do this so people who would otherwise be unable to afford care get the addiction treatments they need.

Choose a Program that Offers Payment Plans: Accredited drug rehab centers in Milwaukee may offer payment plans to people who do not have the financial means to cover the full cost out-of-pocket in one lump sum. Payment plans allow you to pay back the cost over time once you have completed the program.

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin and the 24th-largest in the United States. But it is no stranger to the nationwide opioid epidemic. Milwaukee County has seen nearly a 60 percent increase in overdose deaths from 2016 to 2020, with 545 deaths recorded in 2020.¹ If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, there are more than 65 accredited drug rehab centers in Milwaukee to choose from.²

The city and county of Milwaukee is a place with a strong sense of community. But the community is facing an incredible public health challenge stemming from the misuse of drugs and alcohol.² Some Milwaukee County substance use statistics provide some insight into the crisis the area is facing:

In Milwaukee County, a total of 612 people died in 2021 as a result of a drug overdose.

In Milwaukee County, 687 people died in 2020 as a result of alcohol-related causes.

Milwaukee County has the highest number of hospital visits due to substance use (per 100,000) in the state.^{2 p}

1,515 Wisconsin residents died of a drug overdose in 2021.

4% of Wisconsin residents reported having alcohol use disorder in 2019.

7% of Wisconsin residents reported having substance use disorder in 2019.

In 2019, a total of 24,861 Wisconsin residents received professional help for alcohol and/or drug addiction at local treatment centers.⁷ Unfortunately, this isn’t enough. Currently, 75% of those who struggle with substance use disorders never receive any care.²

There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to addiction care. Milwaukee drug rehabs provide a variety of treatments in different settings to accommodate every person’s needs.

Medical Detox

Detoxification is the process in which the body clears itself from drugs and alcohol. Medical detox helps manage the acute symptoms of withdrawal from substances, which can often be uncomfortable and, in some cases, potentially dangerous.²⁰

Inpatient

Residential, or inpatient rehab, provides care 24 hours a day in a hospital-based or free-standing facility setting. Treatment in inpatient is highly structured, with activities designed to help you learn about addiction and identify the root of your addiction(s) and harmful patterns of behavior.²⁰

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)

People with more severe substance use disorders but who can still safely live at home may attend PHPs, often referred to as “day treatment.” Most PHPs require attendance approximately five days a week for 4-6 hours each day.²¹

Intensive Outpatient (IOPs)

IOPs allow you to live at home while enrolled in the program. As the name suggests, IOPs require more frequent attendance to the program than standard outpatient. Most IOPs take place more than twice a week for 3 hours or more each day.²¹

Standard Outpatient

Standard outpatient programs are often used by people with jobs, extensive social support, and/or who have already completed inpatient treatment and want more support.²⁰

Aftercare

Aftercare is a form of care for people who have completed another program, such as inpatient, and are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. Aftercare helps reduce the risk of relapse by providing support in the form of individual therapy, group therapy, and peer support groups, such as AA, NA, and SMART Recovery.

Specialized treatment centers in Milwaukee serve a certain population that has specific needs. They provide specialized, culturally sensitive care and care to these groups, considering the special circumstances and needs of the people who are in these populations.

Veteran

Veteran programs are specifically designed for retired military personnel who are drug and/or alcohol-dependent. Programs for veterans address the unique experiences of former military personnel to help them live free from drugs and alcohol.

LGBTQ+

Drug rehab centers in Milwaukee that offer specialized addiction treatment programs for the LGBTQ+ community provide evidence-based treatments and take a culturally sensitive approach to address the unique experiences of this group.

Men-Only

Male-only programs in Milwaukee address the challenges that men face in life and provide social support to help them on their road to recovery.

Women-Only

Women-only alcohol rehab centers in Milwaukee address the unique challenges women face in life and provide a safe and supportive space for them to live a life free from drugs and alcohol.

Teen

Teen and youth programs in Milwaukee offer specialized care for adolescents with substance use disorders. These use evidence-based approaches, including family-based and behavioral interventions, to address the specific aspects of teen drug and alcohol use.

If you do not live in Milwaukee, you may wonder if you should travel to the city for drug and alcohol rehab. Reasons to consider Milwaukee for substance use disorder treatments include:¹

• You are an outdoors person who loves nature and wants to take advantage of the city’s parks, bike trails, and beaches.
• There is a specific program that you want to attend.
• You need a change of scenery from your hometown.
• You used to live in Milwaukee and want to return.
• You have a community of family and/or friends in Milwaukee who will provide support.
• You want to move to Milwaukee once you’ve completed a program.
• Your health insurance covers care in Milwaukee.

Many people find it helpful to travel to another city, such as Milwaukee, for addiction treatment. Staying at home or in your home city or state can present challenges, such as being surrounded by triggers and memories that make you crave drugs and alcohol or being near people who tempt you to turn to substances. Traveling to Milwaukee will allow you to escape all the challenges of your usual location so you can fully focus on getting well and improve your chances of long-term recovery.

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14. National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Mental health parity.
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18. Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Get started with Medicare.
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20. Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Opioid use disorder treatment services.
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24. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (October 2019). Substance use and military life drug facts.
25. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Substance use and SUDs in LGBTQ populations.
26. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (January 2020). Substance abuse in women.
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28. Visit Milwaukee. (2022). Historic Third Ward.
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31. Wisconsin Legislative Council. (May 2017). Civil Immunity under Wisconsin’s Good Samaritan Laws.
32. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. (2022). Adult drug court.
33. U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). Family and medical leave act advisor.