AddictionBlog.org
About AAC
Addiction Blog is a network of bloggers managed by Lee Weber. These contributors are industry leaders who are interested in the field of addiction treatment. Our mission is to inform and connect families and individuals struggling with addiction. We hope that this website and our blogs help reduce the stigma associated with talking about the disease of addiction.
At AddictionBlog.org, we believe that shame and secrecy compound the suffering of the addicted person and their loved ones. We hope to provide a respectful forum where people with personal experience in suffering and recovering from this disease can share their experience in a supportive, open-minded and tolerant environment.
AddictionBlog.org is developed and maintained by Recovery Brands, LLC, a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers, Inc. (“AAC”).
The bloggers on AddictionBlog.org are not employed by AAC, and the views presented in this blog site do not represent the views of AAC or its staff. Information contained in these blogs should not be used to diagnose or treat medical or psychological conditions. If you have a health issue, mental health concern, or substance abuse disorder it is recommended that you consult a licensed health and/or mental health professional who will be able to provide you with a proper health assessment.
The content on Addictionblog.org is provided and owned by American Addiction Centers. Addictionblog.org does not host any user generated content. Users are permitted to share or quote content found on this site as long as proper attribution is given.
How AAC’s Helpline Works
For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, the AddictionBlog.org helpline is a private and convenient solution. Caring admissions consultants are standing by 24/7 to discuss your treatment options. These advisors work solely for AAC and will discuss with you whether an AAC facility may be an option for you. To view a list of residential treatment centers operated by AAC, visit americanaddictioncenters.org/treatment-centers.
If AAC cannot provide a treatment option that meets your needs, the admission consultant may suggest that you search for a non-AAC treatment facility. Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Neither AddictionBlog.org nor AAC receives any commission or other fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor may ultimately choose. You can connect with hundreds of other facilities by browsing our listings and calling them directly, or by visiting SAMHSA.gov.
How Chat Works
When you use the free chat feature, you will reach an automated assistant representing AAC who will help you navigate your treatment options privately and discreetly. The automated assistant will ask you questions and provide you with basic information to help you start your journey to recovery. If you would like to speak with an AAC representative directly, a phone number is available in the chat window. When you call this phone number, you will reach AAC employees who work solely for AAC and will discuss with you the treatment options available from AAC.
Our chat service is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Neither AddictionBlog.org nor AAC receives any commission or other fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor may ultimately choose.
All chat users are invited to opt in to receive additional communications from AAC. Opting into these communications is entirely voluntary and you may opt out from receiving messages from AAC at any time. Chat users can select their preferred method of contact. Standard messaging and data rates may apply for those who opt in for SMS.
How Self-Service Verification of Benefits Works
By entering your insurance information into our free verification of benefits tool, AAC will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf to determine if your insurance benefits may be accepted by an American Addiction Centers facility. Please note, AAC only provides a <strong>quote</strong> of benefits and/or authorizations. We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete, and we cannot verify or guarantee coverage and/or eligibility for treatment services rendered at non-AAC treatment centers. Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the member’s contract at time of service.
Your health insurance company will only pay for services that it determines to be “reasonable and necessary.” AAC will make every effort to have all services preauthorized by your health insurance company. If your health insurance company determines that a particular service is not reasonable and necessary, or that a particular service is not covered under your plan, your insurer will deny payment for that service and it will become your responsibility. For more information about the terms and conditions of your individual plan, please contact your health insurance provider.
AddictionBlog.org Content and Contributors
Our blog community consists of dedicated current and former contributors who provide insight into the treatment of addiction. We are not crisis counselors and we do not offer diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental health condition, although many of our contributors have significant experience in addiction treatment and mental healthcare. Our editorial guidelines state that bloggers must only present information that is true and correct in accordance with their knowledge of the subject presented.
We embrace new ideas and alternative therapies for the treatment of all types of addiction. If you are interested in becoming a writer for Addiction Blog contact us.
What Else Does AddictionBlog.org Offer?
- Free E-Book: Download The Definitive Guide to Rehab to learn more about how addiction treatment can help people live a happy, substance-free lifestyle.
- Treatment Q&A: Have questions about what happens during addiction treatment? In our Q&A section we tackle questions on everything from finance and insurance to interventions and treatment methods in specific populations.
Ethics
Our goal is to provide ethical and compliant resources on AddictionBlog.org to support our visitors and their on-site experience. We aim to make our site as transparent as possible by marking ads to distinguish them from editorial content, disclosing our sponsors, as well as AAC’s relationship with our website and our helpline. We authenticate our paid sponsors using the same vetting criteria utilized by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to ensure that our partners are licensed and credible.
Our content is impartial and unbiased. We do not endorse or subscribe to any particular recovery method, and we believe that the personal decision to seek treatment is one that should be done autonomously and with the support of all possible information.
We hold ourselves to the highest level of financial integrity, and we do not sell or broker admissions, or engage in unethical “consultant contracts.” If you encounter any marketing practices based on calls made to centers or helplines listed on this site that you feel are deceptive, unethical, or misleading, contact us and we will do our best to correct the situation and help you find a trustworthy provider.
Identifying an Appropriate Treatment Provider
The process of finding a treatment provider can feel overwhelming. Resources, like facility websites or AddictionBlog.org and the following guide, can help you determine which options are best for you or your loved one.
- Identify proper accreditation and licensure. Appropriate state licensure is important in determining what services and levels of care are permissible to be rendered at a treatment center. Some facilities voluntarily obtain accreditation from the Joint Commission or CARF, indicating that they have met quality and safety standards that go beyond those required by the state.
- Determine if the program is a clinical match. Successful outcomes rely on appropriate clinical care. There is no one-size-fits-all method to treatment. When searching for treatment, ask an admissions counselor for details on the clinical program. Are the methodologies utilized evidence-based (meaning scientifically proven to produce better outcomes)? Does the treatment center employ medically licensed healthcare providers? Will the center provide the name and credentials of its providers? Has the treatment center published any outcome studies? Make note of the questions you are asked by the admissions team, and if they ask you for your medical history. This will help you and the facility’s staff determine if your needs match with the clinical program offered.
- Assess your financial options. Discuss with your insurance provider or an admissions counselor if treatment is “in-network.” If your insurance provider will not cover treatment or a portion of treatment, determine what additional expenses you may have to cover ahead of time, and ask if payment plans are available.
- Get as much information as possible. Read about the staff’s experiences, skills, and licenses online, and view videos and photos and read reviews to “see” what the treatment experience will be like. Ask an admissions counselor about how the intake, treatment, and discharge process work, and about what happens after treatment.
- Look for red flags and possible warning signs. Some treatment centers advertise a “cure” or an unrealistic success rate. Others may only ask you about your ability to pay, and then determine a “fit” without getting any medical or clinical information about you. Some bad actors will even offer you gifts, cash incentives, help with obtaining insurance, or free travel. These are possible signs of illegal or unethical behaviors that can possibly harm you or your loved one.
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1 (877) 849-6581
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