Did you know that over 20 million Americans deal with substance abuse addictions? If you’re struggling to control addiction, your best decision can be to reach out for help. But knowing where to turn when the options are plentiful can be challenging.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn how to choose an addiction treatment program that’s right for you!
Table of Contents
Clarify Your Goals
What do you hope to gain from addiction treatment? Let your answers to this question guide the type of addiction treatment program you enter.
For example, your goal may be to learn strategies to manage your addiction. But you might also be looking for support from others going through the same challenges. Or perhaps you’re hoping to have significant one-on-one time with a licensed counselor.
You may want an addiction recovery program with a robust educational component. For instance, learning more about the dangers of Delta-9 THC or alcohol may help dissuade you from making poor choices going forward.
As you shape your goals, create a list of questions for the treatment centers you’re considering. You may want to ask how each day will look for inpatient treatment. And you’ll want to know what’s required of you as a patient.
It never hurts to connect with local resources as you try to choose an addiction treatment program. Talk with social workers, counselors, and mental health professionals. They’ll know which programs to recommend — and which ones to avoid.
Explore Different Types of Rehab
When you’re exploring the best rehab programs, it may be hard to know where to start. The two primary program options are outpatient and inpatient.
With outpatient care, you may need to commit to attending regular therapy sessions for a prescribed length of time. With this approach to rehab, however, you won’t need to stay overnight. If you have a good network of family and friends locally who can hold you accountable, this option may make sense.
On the other hand, inpatient treatment may be more appropriate for severe forms of addiction. In this scenario, you’ll stay at a facility, usually for around a month if not longer. If you’re struggling with addiction to more than one substance, this more intensive approach can be better.
With inpatient rehab, you may need to avoid seeing family or have limited interaction with guests. This type of rehab also is appropriate for those needing supervised medication to help battle addiction. And in severe cases, a patient may need 24-hour supervision at an inpatient facility.
Some inpatient programs may begin with a detoxification process. Depending on the program, you may enter into a holistic approach to self-improvement afterward. This can include therapy plus wellness activities for your mind and physical health.
In less severe cases, an early intervention approach may be suitable. This means that you or those around you may be aware of your addiction. Rather than entering a formal program, you can attend individual or group counseling to help thwart the addiction.
Investigate Treatment Approaches
Not all treatment approaches are alike. It’s critical to investigate which approaches suit your needs best. And it never hurts to ask if treatments can be tailored to your specific addiction challenges.
Group therapy sessions provide a supportive setting for people affected by substance abuse. A group setting may make it easier to acknowledge addictions and learn how to communicate your concerns better. And you’ll know that you’re not alone in your struggles.
Individual therapy can be effective for those needing one-on-one interactions. A qualified therapist or counselor can help you learn ways to cope with your addiction. They also can help you uncover personal problems that contribute to substance abuse.
You may want to explore other therapy options, including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). This approach combines medication with therapies that are designed to help behaviors. In some instances, therapy alone cannot yield the best results.
Additionally, many programs will offer targeted therapy approaches like Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). With this, you’ll learn how to pinpoint negativity with the help of a therapist. You’ll also learn tools to move away from negative ways of thinking.
Life skills programming also can be a crucial support for someone on the road to recovery. Perhaps your addiction has prevented you from gaining job stability. Or maybe you lack a place to live because you’ve spent all of your money on substances.
Life skills programming can help you learn to budget your money responsibly. You’ll also be connected with support networks that can help with job training. Ultimately, these skills can help give you a new purpose.
Speak with Different Rehab Programs
It’s always wise to speak or meet with rehab programs before committing to one. This provides an opportunity to gauge the program’s level of professionalism. It also helps you see if you would feel comfortable with them.
Inquire about different types of rehab and the kinds of patients the facility usually works with. For instance, some facilities may specialize in serving marginalized populations. Others may not focus on alcohol abuse recovery.
Before signing any paperwork, ask about licensure and accreditation. Legitimate rehab programs should be licensed within your state and have licensed therapists on staff. They may even have federal licensure.
Ask which agencies oversee the accreditation process. Don’t be afraid to ask for proof, either. Facilities with proper accreditation are held to high standards and there is accountability for what they offer.
Look for programs connected to the Better Business Bureau. And look for evidence of collaboration with other social service agencies. These can be signs that a particular program is active and respected.
The treatment center should be asking you questions, too. For example, they should be asking about any mental health concerns that may trigger your substance abuse. And they should ask you about the support structures you have or lack to make moving forward possible.
Treatment centers that seem evasive or uninterested should be avoided. You want to work with a reputable treatment center that signals they are invested in your journey.
Consider the Location
When you’re exploring addiction recovery options, staying close to home may be the most convenient option. That way, you may be able to have visitors. And it won’t be as difficult to access or leave when the treatment concludes.
But sometimes staying close to home isn’t the best choice. It can be better to create some physical distance from the source of your problems. And sometimes it can be best to avoid visits from those who know you.
If you are unable to visit a potential treatment center in person, look at their website for pictures. You want to see what the rooms look like and know whether you would have a roommate. You also want to see how amenities, like a gym or cafeteria, look.
Check out the property surrounding the facility, as well. A program with extensive, well-maintained grounds may offer the right amount of solitude. Being outside can nourish recovery and help you focus on a path forward.
Be Aware of the Costs
Finally, don’t overlook the financial impact of seeking substance abuse treatment. Overextending your finances on a program won’t help your recovery. But you want to get the most for your investment, too.
Check with your insurance company to see what types of rehab are covered. You also should check with rehab programs to see if they accept your insurance. Some programs may allow you to make monthly payments over time, which can lessen the burden on your budget.
It’s best to compare prices prior to committing to a particular program. Evaluate the amenities, level of counseling, and length of treatment that you would receive for a set price. You may notice that the prices can shift significantly depending on what’s offered.
Ask what type of aftercare programming a treatment center offers, as well, and how that impacts the cost. After all, you’ll need help once your time working directly with the center ends. You should be able to access teletherapy, for instance, or other resources to help with your recovery.
Choose the Right Addiction Treatment Program
When choosing an addiction treatment program, do plenty of research first. Look at the types of therapy offered, as well as the location and costs. Consider what your goals are and look for a program that can support them.
When you need more addiction recovery content to fuel your decisions, check back for fresh and informative articles!
