Out-of-State Treatment: Pros and Cons

Weigh the benefits and disadvantages of attending alcohol or drug rehab away from home, it may be worth the trip.

Once you’ve made the health-affirming choice to enter recovery, the next step is choosing the right rehab facility for you. There are addiction treatment centers all over the country, making it relatively easy to find a program close to home. However, it’s not uncommon to hear of people traveling to a different state to receive treatment.

While this may seem inconvenient or expensive, receiving treatment in a new place offers many benefits. It may not be easy leaving your family and friends to overcome an addiction, but doing so could be vital to your long-term success.

Here are some benefits and disadvantages of attending rehab away from home to help you decide whether it’s worth the travel.

Benefits of Rehab Away From Home

People may choose to travel out of state for treatment for a variety of reasons. 

Fewer Distractions

When you attend treatment away from your local area, you can remove the familiar distractions in your life that may trigger your desire to use and jeopardize your recovery. Familiar distractions can lead to more temptations and urges to use. Some of these include:

• People who used with you
• Places where you would go to use or access substances
• Environmental stressors such as work or school
• People who may have made it easier for you to use

Relapse Prevention

Sometimes, placing more distance between you and your home environment can lower the risk of relapse. When you are in a location away from home, you do not have as easy access to those familiar people, places and things that increase your access and ability to use. The new location places a few more steps between the treatment center and relapsing. 

Increased Privacy

Attending rehab out of state allows you to have more privacy regarding your treatment. You may feel more comfortable deciding to attend rehab when you place distance between your treatment center and your neighbor, employer or friends.

Clean Slate

Out-of-state rehab gives you the opportunity to start your recovery process with a clean slate. You can build new relationships with other people also working on a recovery plan. You will not be attending a local rehab facility where you may know other people, providers or staff.

As part of this clean slate, you are making the choice to remove yourself from familiar triggers, co-dependent relationships and other unhealthy situations. You can start fresh in a new location with new people.

Freedom To Choose the Right Rehab for You

When you expand your search for a treatment center to include out-of-state options, you have more choices. You can select a program that best fits your treatment and recovery needs and wants. You do not limit yourself to only the rehab centers in your location.

Disadvantages of Rehab Away From Home

As with most choices, there are also some disadvantages to selecting a rehab away from home. Keep in mind that you can discuss your concerns about these disadvantages with The Recovery Village.

Insurance

Some insurance plans may not provide coverage for out-of-state treatment programs. It is important to understand your insurance benefits and coverage limitations before deciding to look at rehab out of your state. Our team at The Recovery Village can help you understand your specific insurance coverage and options for treatment.

Distance From Family and Other Supports

If you choose a rehab away from your home, there will be a physical distance between you and your loved ones. This distance can make it difficult for family members and other important supports to participate in your treatment. They will be less likely to attend family sessions, participate in aftercare planning and visit you for support. 

Lifestyle Considerations

Your lifestyle obligations and responsibilities may make it difficult to attend rehab out of state. When you consider your treatment options and any complications related to your lifestyle, it is important to consider whether you can work around these situations to get the help you need. Some things to consider include:

• Childcare and parenting choices
• Work
• Medical treatments and appointments
• Family responsibilities
• School

New Setting

For some people, traveling and staying in a new setting brings on feelings of isolation, discomfort and fear. The lack of comfort and familiarity with the location may add more challenges to an already difficult process in your recovery journey. If this sounds like you or a challenge that you cannot overcome, out-of-state rehab might not be the best option. 

Costs 

Depending on your rehab program, you may encounter some costs associated with an out-of-state rehab. Some costs may include:

• Traveling to and from rehab
• Family members traveling to and from rehab for family programming
• Access to phone or video chat
• Potential lodging if you attend an outpatient rehab

Is Rehab Worth the Travel?

Traveling for rehab is — in many cases — worth it, as it provides many benefits that you may not get at a treatment center that’s close to home.

Each person has different needs and preferences when it comes to addiction treatment and rehab experience. Sitting down and thinking about which location and program may be right for you is a valuable step toward lifelong recovery.

What To Expect From an Out-of-State Rehab Program

During rehab, you will have the opportunity to intensely focus on beginning or continuing your recovery process. With inpatient rehab, you would live on-site at a facility receiving 24-hour supervision and monitoring. You can receive medical, therapeutic and peer support for your addiction. 

If you attend an outpatient rehab, you likely would need to make arrangements for lodging while you attend treatment sessions and appointments. With outpatient rehab, you have more flexibility and independence in your addiction treatment. You also have more responsibility to maintain sobriety, as you do not receive the same intensive level of support with an inpatient program.

You can work with your treatment team to discuss and make arrangements regarding communication with family members and important supports in your life. You can also discuss what type of guidelines the facility has related to mail and packages.

What To Look For in an Out-Of-State Program

When looking for treatment in an out-of-state program, you should consider your needs and wants in a treatment facility. The Recovery Village facilities offer unique treatment settings to help you with your recovery journey. 

As part of our evidence-based care model, we offer:

• Personalized treatment plans
• Medical detox
• Dual diagnosis treatment
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• Aftercare planning
• Specialized addiction treatment, such as our FORTITUDE track for veterans and first responders

Our facilities also provide many amenities to help support you as you work on recovery, including:

• Fitness centers
• Basketball courts
• Bocce ball
• Yoga classes
• Walking trails
• Recreational activities such as pool and ping pong
• Healthy meals
• Private rooms

The Recovery Village has accredited centers all over the country, offering comprehensive treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions in a safe, supportive environment. Contact us today to see how we can help you start on the road to recovery.

The Recovery Village has accredited centers all over the country, offering comprehensive treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions in a safe, supportive environment. Call today to see how we can help you start on the road to recovery.

Editor – Abby Doty

Abby Doty graduated from Hamline University in 2021 with a Bachelor's in English and Psychology. She has written and edited creative and literary work as well as academic pieces focused primarily on psychology and mental health. Read more

By – Sara G. Graff, LCSW

Sara Graff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Sara has over twenty five years as a social worker and has worked in many areas of mental health. Read more