The Cost of Recovery
In India, the fight against addiction and substance abuse has become more determined in the wake of growing incidences of drug and alcohol addiction. Millions are said to be facing addiction, spurred by urbanization, pressure, and readily available substances. Rehabilitation facilities play a vital role, providing structured interventions such as detoxification, therapy, counseling, and relapse prevention. However, the cost of these services dissuades many, making recovery a privilege instead of a right.
This article examines India’s rehab centers’ cost structures—government-supported, private, and luxury—and explores affordability within socio-economic strata.
Government-Supported Rehabilitation: An Affordable Lifeline
Government-sponsored and operated rehabilitation centers provide the majority of India’s affordable recovery facilities. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Drug De-addiction Programme (DDAP), which started in 1988, has 122 De-addiction Centers (DACs) functioning across the country, with 43 located in northeastern states. These centers get one-time grants from the center for infrastructure and recurring funding from the states. Treatment involves Detoxification, outpatient treatment through Drug Treatment Clinics (DTCs), and free drugs to manage withdrawal and long-term treatment, i.e., opioid agonists and anti-craving medication in the case of alcohol use disorders. In 2025, there are 14 functioning DTCs with proposals to increase up to 100 with free psychosocial interventions.
The NAPDDR, headed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, also promotes affordability through financing 90-95% of expenditure for Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs), Outreach and Drop-in Centres (ODICs), and District De-addiction Centres (DDACs). A 100% fund in underserved communities targets low-income populations. Programs such as the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) and the toll-free helpline (14446) promote awareness and free counseling. Fees at such centers are low—frequently nothing or just INR 50 a day for simple four-to-six-month courses. Government rehabs cost between INR 20,000 and 50,000 a month, including detox, therapy, and monitoring by doctors. But low beds, long waiting lists, and unavailability in rural areas continue to be issues, with compliance of just 57% of DACsಸ
Private Rehabilitation: Balancing Cost and Quality
Private rehabilitation centers are for middle-class families with improved facilities and individualized care at a higher fee. These centers pay between INR 50,000 and 1,50,000 per month for 30-90 day treatment with comfortable living, group therapy, individual counseling, fitness classes, and strategies to prevent relapse. Private centers have more amenities and less waiting time compared to government centers, so the latter is attractive to individuals who can afford them. Still, the cost could pinch middle-income families, particularly without insurance coverage, which is still scarce for rehab treatment in India.
Luxury Rehabs: Recovery for the Elite
Luxury rehabs are targeting high net worth people and their monthly charges will be between INR 3-15 lakhs in 2025-26. Luxury rehabs, typically located in scenic locations such as Kerala or Pune, offer medically controlled detox, daily therapy, fine dining, airport pick up/drop and aftercare. These rates are charged by amenities including low staff-client ratios, internationally-qualified therapists, seclusionary private villas as well as extras like personal chefs or spa treatments. Wellness programs and yoga are also included in the process as holistic therapies, which most Indians cannot afford. In comparison, the regular rehabs in the city like Bangalore cost INR 30,000-4.5 lakhs monthly, depending on the intensity of the program.
The Affordability Challenge
Affordability is a significant obstacle to recovery in India. Addiction’s economic cost—lost income, healthcare expenses, and family burden—exacerbates the problem for low-income families, who frequently go untreated to save money. This translates into increased relapse and social costs. Low-cost or no-cost services under government programs such as NAPDDR and NGOs such as Prayas Sewa Samiti exist, but coverage is patchy, especially in rural settings. Stigma also discourages use, and low penetration of insurance necessitates out-of-pocket payments. Few policies include rehabilitation, so families must cover the entire expense.
Bridging the Gap: Solutions and Future Prospects
To make recovery possible, India needs to scale-up NAPDDR-funded IRCAs, include rehab under universal health coverage, and develop public-private partnerships. Efforts to build capacity, including the training of more than 1,000 medical officers, work towards increasing access. Community-based prevention among adolescents and workplaces, with NAPDDR support, are promising. Experts point out that professional rehab pays for itself through long-term gains—better health, relationships, and productivity—over front-end costs. Therapeutic environments in mid-range and government centers substantially improve sobriety rates, making them recovery assets.
Conclusion: Investment in Recovery
With increasing addiction, quality, affordable rehabilitation is not merely an expense but an investment in human potential. Government efforts have made a start, but upscaled funds, better rural access, and stigma reduction are essential to democratize recovery. By doing so, India can make rehabilitation a universal right, holding out hope and healing for everyone.
