Research before choosing
By the time you have decided to seek help for substance abuse, you may feel desperate, ready to jump at the first opportunity. Indeed, your health may be in such a drastic state from abusing drugs and alcohol that the need for detox and rehab is imminent. Unless it is a matter of life or death emergency (and have no doubt that substance abuse can reach that stage easily) it is important to take time to research which treatment center is best qualified to meet your needs.
So, what types of questions should you consider? We review the best questions to ask of any addiction rehab center here. Then, we invite your questions or comments in the section at the end.
Ask questions before you go to rehab!
Addiction is a serious disease with repercussions not only for the individual, but also family, friends and employers. Some rehab treatment centers offer comprehensive services to families; others simply serve as a detox center to help restore alcoholics and drug addicts to physical balance. Asking questions will help you decide what services you need and what your budget can handle. Here are our Top 10.
1. What services are provided?
Some facilities offer a wide range of treatment opportunities. They serve individuals and their families, and they treat co-occurring disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder. Others provide a place for individuals to detox. They offer medical supervision during the withdrawal period from drugs or alcohol, and they often provide referrals for further treatment. Also, is outpatient aftercare a part of the treatment plan, or not?
2. What qualifications do staff members have?
Treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction requires different levels of care; however, someone who has made the decision to seek professional help should pay attention to staff qualifications. Find out who is going to be tending to your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual recovery. Inquire about credentials.
3. What licensing and accreditation does the center have?
Various national accrediting agencies, such as the Joint Commission, give a stamp of approval to treatment centers that meet the highest standards of care. Accrediting agencies consider client care, affordability and success rate.
4. What is the success rate?
It is in your best interest to ask about a treatment center’s success rate. What programs does it have in place to follow through once initial treatment is completed? Relapse prevention is an important aspect of the treatment process.
5. What does insurance cover?
You also need to inform yourself about financial aspects of treatment and the real costs of drug rehab. Possibilities range from luxury to basic, but even though luxurious surroundings have a therapeutic appeal, you also need to consider that you are seeking treatment for the potentially fatal illness of addiction, not going on a well-earned vacation. If you have insurance that will cover the expenses of rehab, you need to make sure you understand exactly what will be covered and what will not. This includes length of treatment and medications. Finally, look into benefits of the Affordable Healthcare Act and addiction treatment reimbursements.
6. How will the center meet individual needs?
If you have decided to seek treatment, you want to make sure that you needs are being met. Inform yourself about patient/staff ratio. Find out how much time you will have with individual doctors, therapists and counselors. How much time is spent in group processes, and how much time alone will you have? Additionally, how does the rehab account for creating a personalized treatment program?
7. What recommendations can the center provide?
Sometimes the best advertising is word of mouth. If you know someone who has received treatment at the center you are considering and who is staying clean and sober, that is a recommendation in itself. You also can ask to speak to previous clients.
8. How long does treatment last?
Most rehab centers have layers of treatment. They go from detox, to therapy and counseling, and then to final preparation to re-enter the workforce and family life. Some may offer inpatient treatment only, while others may offer a day treatment option. Length of treatment may vary, depending on services provided and affordability.
9. What types of groups are available?
Some treatment centers provide services based on certain religious principles. Some offer gender-specific treatment. At some centers, you may find various outdoor options available. In some cases, treatment includes recovery programs based on12-Step principles, and in others, the most modern avant-garde options are available.
10. Where is the facility located?
If you have the freedom to choose where you will undergo rehab treatment, there are various factors to consider. Some centers are urban; some are rural or in a mountain area. It often is desirable to recover in a location that removes you from the stresses of your everyday life, if you can afford it.
Questions for drug and alcohol rehab centers
Are you having a hard time deciding between rehabs? Please contact us in the comments section below. We’ll do our best to respond to all legitimate concerns with a personal and prompt reply.
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