Choosing The Best Substance Abuse Treatment Center

choosing a substance abuse treatment center

If you are looking for a substance abuse treatment center, it is a safe bet that you or a loved one is struggling with addiction. There is a lot that is probably going through your mind as you get started with this journey. When selecting a substance abuse treatment facility, it is important not only to consider the attributes of the actual facility, but also the programs offered and the personnel that will be providing care. To make your search a little simpler, here are 5 questions to ask yourself or an admissions coordinator when selecting a substance abuse rehab.

What Addiction Treatment Programs Are Available?

Not all treatment programs offer the same types of treatment. Factors that will affect the type of programming offered include the levels of care provided, the treatment approaches used, and the specific substances for which addiction is treated. The different levels of care that a substance abuse treatment program may provide include detox, inpatient treatment, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient treatment. Approaches to treatment may include a medical approach, behavioral approach, or a holistic approach. Regarding substances, most centers provide care for addiction to an array of substances including alcohol, heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines, etc. However, because every drug affected the human body in a slightly different way and requires different treatments, it is recommended to check to be sure that the treatment facility you choose is experienced and equipped to handle the addiction you or your loved one has been struggling with.

What Types Of Practitioners And Staff Will Be Available For Care?

Along with making sure that a facility is equipped to handle treatment for the substance you are struggling with, be sure that they have the right staff and practitioners to meet your needs. If you are anticipating withdrawal symptoms, do they have doctors or nurses on staff 24/7 to monitor you? Are there licensed therapists? Are there doctors who can provide prescriptions for any medications you really need?

Especially in cases such as a dual diagnosis or trauma, the presence of the proper practitioners can be paramount for successful substance abuse rehab.

Where Is The Facility Located?

Think long and hard about where you go for treatment. Many individuals are adamant about staying close to home for their recovery because they need to be near their loved ones or they can’t take too long off of work. However, if you have people relying on you then the best thing you can do is step away for a little while and return in a condition to give your all to the people that need you. Sometimes traveling for treatment is the best option, so be open to the idea of an out-of-state treatment program.

What Forms Of Payment Are Accepted?

If you have insurance through a private provider, Medicare, or Medicaid, one of your first questions should be whether they accept your insurance. In a lot of cases, the admissions specialists can quickly verify what your insurance benefits are with just your insurance carrier ID number, your name, and date of birth. In some cases, you may have to wait a few hours or days to hear back from an insurance provider to confirm the coverage.

What Makes This Program Unique?

Another great question for any addiction treatment center is ‘what makes them unique?’ You might be surprised by the answer you get. Some centers have gender-specific facilities and others are openly LGBTQ friendly. You may learn about the programs offered at the facility, such as group therapy or yoga classes. The answer to this question may tell you a lot about whether this center is uniquely perfect for you or your loved one. This question can also bring forward factors that may indicate that the substance abuse treatment center is not a good fit at all.