Is your life is out of control? Are drugs or alcohol ruining your marriage? Are you afraid of losing your job, or ruining your health? Are you afraid of losing your life? Maybe none of these things concern you about yourself, but they may apply to your son or daughter. Experts say someone has a substance use disorder when he uses drugs or alcohol in such a way he has experienced “clinically and functionally significant impairment,” which affects his abilities to meet significant responsibilities at school, work, or home, according to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. You need to find the best addiction treatment programs. Here is how to find a drug treatment center.
Get An Assesment by a Substance Use Professional or a Physician
The first step to finding the top drug rehabs should be to obtain an evaluation from an expert, who would be a doctor certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, a psychiatrist experienced in treating substance disorders, or a licensed clinical social worker Not everyone needs the same kind of treatment. Some may need attendance at 12-step meetings, other residential treatment, or an intensive outpatient program.
Does the Facility Have the Resources You Need?
Some people with a substance use disorder, also experience anxiety or depression. On its website, does the rehab center show it has counselors to deal with a dual-diagnosis? Call each center and ask someone about the resources available. Some treatment centers have resources not listed on their websites.
Does the Center Use Medication?
You may have an opioid addiction or be seeking treatment for a loved one who does. Does the center offer prescription medication to treat drug dependency? Does it instead use an abstinence model to treat opioid addiction? Some prescription medications such as naltrexone, Suboxone, and methadone are useful in increasing retention in treatment programs for heroin addicts. The National Institute on Drug Abuse lists these medications as beneficial. You will also find some centers offer detoxification services to medically treat people when their blood becomes free of toxic substances. This is usually shortly after a person has quit drinking or using drugs.
Some Things To Learn About Any Potential Treatment Center
There are a number of things to consider about any treatment center you are considering.
- Does your insurance cover a program, in your area, and the treatment offered?
- Is it state-licensed and highly regulated?
- Visit the center to find out if it is clean and hospitable.
- Would it be better to go to a more distant program to withdraw from local problems?
- What certifications and licenses do the professionals at the treatment center have?
- How long is the waiting list, if any?
- If it is a residential program, how long is the recommended stay?
- Will family and friends be able to visit you and participate in your treatment?
- Is financing available? What services are included?
- What medical services are available, such as pain management, supervised detoxification?
- What activities will you be involved with, such as 12-step programs, individual therapy, art therapy, or group therapy? Are extra services, such as fitness programs, offered?
- Will the treatment center be respective of your religion or faith? Are therapists or counselors available to give perspective based on your faith? Will your spiritual advisers or faith leaders be able to visit?
- Will those in the center help you prepare a discharge plan? Especially if you don’t live close to the center, will they help you find resources to help in your community? In addition, does the center provide follow-up and for how long?
Accreditation
Be certain any drug rehabilitation center you consider has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities or the Joint Commission. These are independent nonprofit organizations that consider performance standards, quality, results, and value. To be allowed to advertise, they should also be certified to advertise their services on Facebook and Google through LegitScript, which ensures only legitimate quality centers be allowed to advertise in this way.
Clinical Staff Credentials and Licenses
Do the professionals have licenses and credentials? For example, they may have a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Addictions Counselor, or a Certified Co-occurring Disorders Counselor?
Multidisciplinary Treatment Team
Does the center offer a mix of professionals such as a medical doctor, chemical dependency counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, nurse, wellness specialist, spiritual care counselor, and nutritionist?
It is possible to get your life or the life of a loved one with proper treatment. Being prepared to find the best treatment center is the first step.
