How to locate the best drug and alcohol rehabs for long-term sobriety
When a loved one struggling with addiction finally realizes that it’s time for a change and that lasting sobriety requires professional help, it can become frustrating to discover just how many forms of rehabilitation assistance are available to choose from. There are many factors to consider when searching for the best drug and alcohol rehab to suit your needs.
Start by narrowing down what you’re searching for
The first step is to narrow down your initial list of potential treatment centers. It will help for you to eliminate the facilities that are not options for you, which will allow you to focus on the remaining positive rehabilitation options.
How serious is the dependency?
This may be one of the most difficult questions, but it’s also one of the most important. If the person addicted is using drugs or alcohol every day, you will want to eliminate outpatient services right away. After successfully completing inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient treatment may be a beneficial service in order to help the person maintain their sobriety.
In addition to frequency of use, knowledge of the type of substance the person is abusing is important as well. Some substances can have very serious and even deadly withdrawal symptoms, and require medical supervision in order to detox safely.
Are there any special needs?
Maybe a client has specific dietary restrictions or certain medical needs that must be maintained while also seeking treatment for substance addiction. The most important thing while in rehabilitation is that the client is comfortable and focused upon their sobriety, and that he or she is not worrying that the center won’t meet his or her diet or medical needs.
How much money will it cost for that treatment center?
It can be very aggravating to think about finances when you’re trying to do something to make your life better. Our society tends to punish people for abusing drugs instead of helping them. Some insurance providers will pay for drug treatment depending on the policy you have. If you do not have insurance, you might be able to set up a payment plan with the treatment center or take a loan out to cover the cost of treatment.
Have you or your loved one been through treatment before?
Even if this is not your first time entering treatment, it is still important to believe that you can achieve lasting recovery. Being honest with yourself and the treatment team will make a huge difference. Ask yourself, when you left treatment before, did you apply what you learned at the last center to your life or did you return to your old ways?
Questions to Ask the Treatment Facility
- What is the success rate?
How many people have gone through treatment there and stayed sober for a long period of time? Do most of the clients return soon after leaving treatment? These are questions to make sure to ask before choosing to attend treatment at any facility.
- How long does it take to complete the program?
It is common these days to want everything right away – fast food, hit movies, you name it – we don’t like to wait. It is also understandable to be impatient for sobriety. However, lasting recovery from substance abuse takes time. Long term treatment almost always has a better rate of success, though the client often spends more and travels farther from home. Perhaps, it is this break in routine and greater investment that helps lead to long-term attainment of sobriety.
- Does the drug rehab offer aftercare when completed?
Aftercare is what the recovering addict does when leaving treatment. This could consist of weekly individual or group counseling. This helps the client to remain focused on their recovery after completing treatment and upon returning to sober life.
- Are the staff members properly certified?
It is important to work with staff members that are knowledgeable and experienced in the field. The client needs to feel comfortable and confident that they are getting the proper care.
- How long has the drug rehab been open?
The length of time a facility has been in operation will tell you several key pieces of information, such as the experience of the program’s key personnel, whether or not the program is accredited, as well as its established success rate.
- Is there a waiting list to get in?
Most private facilities offer immediate entry. State-funded treatment centers often have a waiting list as long as 8 weeks or more. When debating treatment options with an addict who is seeking sobriety, you have a short period of time to get them into recovery before they change their mind and return to using. We recommend selecting a facility that does not have a current waiting list, but instead one where you can enroll right away.
So how does one select the best drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for long-term sobriety? There is no exact answer when asking this question. The best option for you or your loved one will be based off your specific needs and how bad the dependency is. The first step is to narrow down the options to find the best facilities available to you.