Families usually ask about money in the first phone call, and then feel awkward about it. Don’t. Cost is a fair question, and a good centre answers it plainly.
This guide covers nasha mukti kendra fees and the cost of rehab in Punjab. It also says where the numbers come from, because a price range is only useful if you know how old it is.
In this guide
- What the published numbers say
- What changes the cost
- What is included, and what often isn’t
- Does insurance help?
- Questions to ask before you pay
- FAQs
Nasha Mukti Kendra Fees in Punjab: How Much Will You Pay?
It depends on where you go. In Punjab, the cost differs sharply between a government centre, a government OOAT clinic and a private rehab. What to anticipate from each is as follows.
If you choose |
What you may pay |
Good to know |
| Government de-addiction centre | Free or very low cost. Punjab’s 2018 rules listed Rs 200 a day (medicine, food and bed included) and made treatment free for poor families and, in a later order, for everyone at government centres | Beds and waiting times can be limited. Confirm current rules with your Civil Surgeon’s office |
| Government rehabilitation centre | Rs 50 a day under the 2018 rules, or free | Usually follows detox. Ask whether a bed is available |
| Government OOAT clinic | Medicine free | For opioid dependence only, not alcohol |
| Private OOAT centre | Rs 25 to Rs 40 per tablet (ThePrint, October 2026) | Daily tablets add up over months |
| Private rehab centre | Older reports put it at about Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000 a month, and up to Rs 30,000 | Current prices are likely higher. Ask for an itemised quote |
Plan for the whole programme, not one month. Detox may take one or two weeks, and rehabilitation often runs for several months. A “monthly fee” can look small until you multiply it.
Expect extras. Medicines, tests, doctor visits and aftercare are sometimes billed separately. We cover this in the next section.
Use the table as a check, not a quote. The government figures come from 2018 orders and the private figures from older news reports, so rules and prices may have changed. If a centre quotes far below this range, ask what is left out. Ask what you are getting for it if the quote is much higher.
Compare three. Get a written, itemised quote from at least three places. Our guide to a 🔗 Government Nasha Mukti Kendra shows how to check government options first.
What Changes the Cost
Two people at the same centre can pay very different amounts. The main reasons:
- Type of care. Outpatient care costs less than a residential stay.
- Length of stay. During detox, a week or two may go by. Rehabilitation and counselling can run for months.
- Substance and severity. Multiple drug use or heavy alcohol consumption may require more specialized medical attention.
- Medical needs. Other illnesses, such as liver problems, infections or depression, add tests and medicines.
- Room type. Shared dormitory, double room or single room.
- Staffing. Full-time doctors, psychiatrists and trained counsellors cost more than a small team.
- Location. A centre in Mohali or near Chandigarh may price differently from one in a smaller town. See our page on a nasha mukti kendra in Mohali.
What is Included, and What Often isn’t
Always ask for the quote itemised. Here is a usual split, but check each item.
Often included: room, meals, basic nursing care, daily monitoring, and group or individual counselling.
Sometimes extra:
- Doctor or psychiatrist visits
- Blood tests, scans and ECGs
- Medicines, especially for withdrawal
- Hospital transfer in an emergency
- Family counselling sessions
- Aftercare and follow-up visits
- Registration or admission fee
- A refundable deposit
A low monthly figure can grow quickly if medicine and tests are billed separately. Ask for the likely total for the whole programme, not only the first month.
Does Insurance Help?
Sometimes, but do not assume.
The IRDAI in a circular on August, 2018 has advised insurers that they need to abide by the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, which says in Section 21(4) that insurers have to cover mental illness on the same basis as physical illness. The Act defines alcohol and drug related conditions as mental illnesses.
However, in practice, addiction tends to be left out of policies. As per the standardisation circular notes issued by IRDAI in 2020, the regulator still has a clause that permits insurers to exclude “alcoholism, drug or substance abuse or any addictive condition.” In 2024, a survey of 459 policies revealed that the majority – 87% – included some policy addressing alcohol or substance use.
Check your policy for the provisions, contact your insurer and inquire in writing if detox, inpatient rehab, and counselling is covered. Never make a deposit, assuming that the claim will be accepted.
Official sources: India Code on Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and IRDAI‘s page on Mental health cover. Always check the latest revision of each prior to using it.
FAQs
1. What Are the Different Types of Rehab?
Rehabilitation includes different forms of care. Physical, occupational and cognitive rehabilitation help people regain physical abilities, thinking skills or independence in daily activities. Substance use rehabilitation focuses on treating drug or alcohol dependence through counselling, medical care and ongoing support. Mental health rehabilitation helps people manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.
2. What Happens in Rehab in India?
Rehabilitation in India typically begins with an assessment of a person's health, substance use history and treatment needs. Depending on the condition, the programme may include medical care, supervised withdrawal, individual or group counselling, behavioural therapy and relapse-prevention planning. Treatment plans and services vary between centres.
3. How Long Is Rehab in India?
Rehabilitation in India may last a few weeks to several months, depending on the person's condition, treatment goals and progress. Some programmes last 14 to 30 days, while others continue for 60 to 90 days or longer. A qualified treatment professional can recommend an appropriate duration based on individual needs.
4. Why Do Some Rehab Centres Charge Much More Than Others?
Rehabilitation costs vary depending on the centre's location, accommodation, staff qualifications, medical supervision, treatment methods and available facilities. Before choosing a centre, request a detailed breakdown of fees, including medication, consultations, therapy sessions, accommodation and any additional charges, so you can compare services accurately.