How to Pay for Rehab in the UK
Most addiction treatment in the UK is free. Compare every way to pay for rehab: private pay, insurance, NHS and council funding, and charity help.
Most addiction treatment in the UK is free. NHS and council-commissioned services cost nothing to use, and you can usually self refer. Residential rehab is different: someone has to pay for the place, and that can be you, your insurer, the council, or sometimes a charity. This page takes each route in turn, so you can see which ones are open to you before you speak to anyone.
How much does rehab cost in the UK?
Rehab in the UK costs anywhere from nothing at all to thousands of pounds a week, and the honest answer is that price does not tell you much about quality. Community treatment through your local drug and alcohol service is free. Private residential rehab varies widely with location, setting and length of stay, which is why we list the cost band on every clinic page rather than quoting one number here. Always ask a clinic for the full price in writing, and exactly what it includes, before you commit to anything.
Which funding route is right for me?
Funding categories
How funding generally works
Understand your options
Identify which routes are available to you based on your circumstances
Get an assessment
Most funding routes require a professional assessment of your needs
Seek approval if required
Insurers, local authorities, and commissioners each have their own approval processes
Confirm placement
Once funding is in place, a clinic place is secured
Begin treatment
Admission is arranged in line with the funding approval
Where do you want to start?
Explore the most relevant funding routes for your situation
Not sure where to begin?
Start with the option that feels closest to your needs.
Wait times
Wait times vary significantly. Private rehab offers immediate admission, while NHS pathways often involve waiting lists of several months.
Check with providers directly.