Drug and alcohol abuse and addiction are truly terrible conditions that cause damage to lives and to families. Luckily, there are thousands of treatment facilities across the United States that are dedicated to starting those in need on the road to recovery and helping them stay on it. There is a wide variety of treatment programs, and the experience of any given treatment seeker will be dramatically different from that of another.
Your sobriety is very important, which is why it’s so important that you choose the right rehab. The right program will make it much more likely that you complete the program successfully, leave the program sober, and maintain your sobriety after you return to your life. However, the sheer number of options available means that making a choice can be hard, and the sad truth is that some rehabs are better than others. It’s important to figure out what your preferences are so you can make the right selection. The following steps will help you choose the right rehab.
Decide What Your Rehab Goals And Needs Are
Every rehab has different specialties. Even those rehabs with the same specialty will measure success differently and take different paths to get there. It is extremely important that you choose a treatment facility that will be able to help you reach your rehab goals; before you do that, you have to know what your rehab goals are.
The first step in determining your rehab goals is deciding which substances and/or behaviors you want to recover from. The next step is determining whether there are any other underlying issues, such as dual diagnosis or medical conditions, that you wish to have treated at the same time. Then you have to figure out what success means to you. Is your initial goal to get through detox and remain sober for the first 30 days? Would 6 months of sobriety be a success? A year? Only you and your loved ones can decide on what your goals are.
Consult With A Treatment Provider
A great way to find out what your treatment options are and to find a facility that most closely matches your rehab goals is to consult with a treatment provider. The sheer number of options available makes it difficult to decide without help. Also, treatment providers are very familiar with many aspects of rehab that people are likely not aware of. They also know facilities very well and can provide invaluable information. These dedicated individuals can help discuss available treatment options and connect you with rehabs.
Investigate Various Rehab Options
Whether you found rehab options from your own research or were provided them by a treatment provider, it is important that you investigate them. Some information will be available on websites, while you may have to call and ask for other information. Top-rated treatment facilities want to make sure that you will find success in their program, and they have nothing to hide. They should be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Factors To Consider
Many factors determine which rehab is best for your circumstances, and some factors are more important than others. Here are some that are the most important to many treatment seekers.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient
There are 2 major forms of rehab: inpatient rehab, where the patient stays at the rehab facility, and outpatient rehab, where the patient stays at home but goes to treatment during the day. There are pros and cons to both, so the right choice really depends on the individual’s needs. In general, inpatient treatment has a considerably higher success rate; it is also usually more expensive and disruptive to daily life, however. Conversely, outpatient treatment generally has a lower success rate; it, on the other hand, is less expensive and allows patients to maintain more of their normal routine.
Specialties
Every treatment center has a different set of addictions that they specialize in treating; for example, alcoholism or patients with a dual diagnosis might be specialties. Most facilities have greater success treating some addictions than others. It is very important to select a rehab facility that both specializes in and has a positive track record of treating patients with your specific needs.
Treatments And Therapies
There are thousands of different treatment models and therapy options available for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. This makes it possible for everyone to find the treatment that works best for them, but it also means that it is possible to choose a rehab where the available therapies are not the best fit. It is very useful to research different types of therapies, especially if you have not attended treatment before.
Amenities
The available amenities are some of the biggest and most obvious differentiators between drug and alcohol rehabs. There are rehabs that provide a standard of living that rivals or exceeds that of 5-star hotels, and there are rehabs that have extremely basic but fully-functional facilities that more than adequately help patients get sober. The range of amenities offered is truly huge, meaning that you will likely find a facility that offers anything you are looking for.
Location
There are multiple schools of thought when it comes to whether or not it is ideal to choose a rehab facility located close to where the treatment seeker lives. Obviously, nearby facilities are more convenient and may be a necessary choice for individuals with commitments close to home that they cannot leave for an extended period of time. However, it is also generally highly beneficial to travel as far as possible for rehab; doing so can more completely breaks the connection between the addict and their former life, especially toxic relationships and routines that encourage drinking and drug use.
Length Of Program
Most treatment programs last for 30, 60, or 90 days, but there are many other options as well. Many experts strongly recommend 60 or 90-day programs because they feel that 30 days is not a sufficient length of time to adequately work through substance abuse issues. However, there are many 30-day programs with excellent track records of success. Additionally, longer rehab stays may not be an option for many patients for financial, professional, or family commitments.
Cost
For many treatment seekers, cost is the single biggest factor in how they choose a rehab. The truth is that the cost of rehab varies dramatically depending on the facility, the length of stay, and the programs the patient participates in. Luckily, there are many options available to help patients pay for rehab, meaning that you will have options available to you no matter what your budget is. It is also critical to remember that the financial toll of long-term addiction is far greater than rehab. Some commonly used options to help pay for rehab include:
The Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare)
Medicaid and Medicare
Private Health Insurance
Self-funding
Loans
Compare Rehabs
Once you have found out all of the relevant information about the drug and alcohol rehab options you are considering, it is time to compare facilities. Choosing the right rehab means that you will have to carefully weigh all factors. Making a decision likely means that you will have to determine what characteristics are most important to you and pick the facility that most closely matches what you are looking for. You may not be able to find a facility that perfectly matches all of your preferences, but you will be able to find an excellent treatment center that will help you get started on the road to recovery.
Enroll
Once you have chosen the right rehab for you, it is time to enroll. Every drug and alcohol treatment facility has its own set of policies and procedures for enrollment, but they will have no problem providing you with that information. Many facilities will even allow you to enroll over the phone. Make sure to carefully review and follow all enrollment and admittance procedures in order to ensure successful enrollment.
Find Treatment Today
With so many options available, finding treatment might seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there are treatment providers who can help you or your loved one find treatment.
Resource: “How Do I Choose The Right Rehab?” by Addiction Center