Choosing a rehab center is a big decision. You’ll want to find a facility that provides evidence-based treatment practices, well-rounded support, and customized treatment options to fit your specific needs. However, it can start to feel overwhelming when managing the stresses of addiction and seeing several different options available.
If you’ve been researching rehab programs for yourself or a loved one and aren’t sure where to start, this guide is for you. We’ll provide a complete overview of what to look for in a rehab center, red flags, questions to ask before choosing a facility, and more to help you make an educated decision. Keep reading for all the details.
Why Choosing the Right Rehab Center Matters
Not all rehab centers are created equal. Differences in approach, treatment methods, and levels of support can significantly impact rehab success rates.
The National Institutes of Health emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices in rehab that are backed by clinical research showing they’re effective. That can include proven therapies, length of treatment, customized treatment, and an aftercare option, among several other important qualities.
Several studies show that the elements that rehab centers include in treatment programs matter a lot. For example:
- A study from the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment found that rehab centers that offer aftercare when someone completes a treatment program lead to significantly higher abstinence rates from all drugs.
- Another study from the Journal of Social Science & Medicine indicated that longer-term treatment generally leads to better success rates, suggesting that rehab centers should include longer treatment as an option for any clients who require additional support.
- Research from the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine showed that addiction treatment tailored to individual needs yielded better recovery rates than typical one-size-fits-all treatment methods.
Each of these factors and more contribute to the quality of care you’ll receive at a treatment center, and not every rehab option will include everything you need. That’s why you must look for the best rehab program features before deciding which one is right for you.
Must-Have Features of a Quality Rehab Center
What are all the features you should look for before choosing a rehab center? Here’s a checklist to help while you’re reviewing options:
Accreditation
High-quality treatment centers should possess nationally recognized accreditation from governing bodies such as the Joint Commission, which signifies a commitment to high-quality patient care and safety. Strong accreditations show that a facility has passed strict quality requirements.
Qualified Medical and Clinical Staff
Each of the doctors, therapists, specialists, and nurses operating in treatment facilities should be licensed and highly trained to provide quality healthcare.
Evidence-Based Treatment Methods
Facilities should provide evidence-based treatment methods that have a solid body of clinical research backing them. That can include proven therapies like CBT, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), dual-diagnosis support, and aftercare.
Individualized Treatment Plans
As mentioned, there’s a strong body of support that customizing treatment to the client’s needs leads to higher success rates. It shows facilities offer well-rounded support where each client is treated as an individual, where they care about who you are and what you need help with.
Continuum of Care
Effective treatment centers will provide a full system of services to cater to different rehab needs. That includes medical detox, inpatient care, outpatient care, and aftercare. Plus, it often helps to look for different types of therapy, such as CBT, DBT, group therapy, etc., that will help with varying needs.
Family Support
Addiction can affect everyone in the family, and it’s important to create a strong support system that facilitates recovery when possible. Treatment centers should offer family support as an option with resources like family therapy or education about addiction.
Transparent Costs and Insurance Support
While working to find a program that works best for you, the rehab center should be transparent with the costs so there aren’t any surprises, and help you navigate insurance needs to manage expenses.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
As you’re reviewing options, you might run into some red flags in rehab programs that show they won’t be the best fit. Here are some things to watch out for:
Promises of a “Guaranteed Cure”
There aren’t any guarantees that can be made in addiction treatment. It’s a process that requires commitment from the client and treatment professionals involved, and there can be some setbacks along the way.
Treatment centers should make that clear and show how they’ll provide support even if there are some bumps in the road or changes that need management.
Lack of Transparency About Staff, Methods, or Pricing
If the staff at the rehab center is continuously providing vague information about things like licensing, treatment methods, or their pricing, it can be a sign that they might not be hitting all the important quality markers.
You should feel like there’s open communication with the staff at the facility each step of the way, so you can feel confident about your decision.
No Accreditation or Licensing
Facilities that aren’t accredited or don’t have proper medical licensing should be avoided. Safety is a big concern in addiction treatment, so you want to have that documentation to show that the facility provides high-quality care.
High-Pressure Sales Tactics
You should never feel like you have to make an immediate decision under pressure while deciding on addiction treatment. The rehab center’s team should make it their goal to ensure you feel supported, provide the information you need, and help you feel comfortable with the decision.
Overcrowded Facilities or Lack of Individualized Care
When facilities are overcrowded or have high staff-to-patient ratios (many more patients than staff members), it makes it difficult to provide a true individualized approach to treatment.
Information from SAMHSA recommends that rehab centers have a ratio of one therapist or medical professional for every five or eight patients, to ensure they have enough bandwidth to provide an individualized approach.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Rehab Center?
Here are some questions to ask when choosing a rehab center to get the information you need:
- What accreditations do you hold?
- What is your staff-to-client ratio?
- Do you offer dual-diagnosis treatment?
- How do you handle relapse prevention and aftercare?
- What are the different types of therapy and treatment programs you offer?
- How do you manage each client’s needs when creating a treatment program?
- How do you manage relapse and setbacks?
Quality rehab centers will take the time to answer any questions you have and provide all the information you need before committing. If you’re searching for a supportive option that can help, Genesis House is a great place to start.
How Genesis House Meets the Standard
At Genesis House, our mission is to provide high-quality care and support to every client we work with as they recover from drug or alcohol addiction. We meet each of the quality standards listed throughout this article, including:
- National accreditation from the Joint Commission
- Licensed medical and therapeutic staff
- A low staff-to-client ratio
- Individualized treatment options for every client
- Treatment of different lengths, including longer-term programs
- A well-rounded continuum of care with medical detox, inpatient care, outpatient care, and many forms of therapy available
- Dual-diagnosis treatment
- Aftercare
- Family support
- Help navigating insurance needs
We ensure every client who walks through our doors is treated as an individual and receives care and support each step of the way.
We’re here to help with your needs and answer any questions you have about the treatment process. You can get in touch with us today to learn more about our treatment options at Genesis House.
References
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Treatment and Recovery.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, July 2020, https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery
- McKay, James R. “Continuing Care Research: What We Have Learned and Where We Are Going.” Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, vol. 36, no. 2, Mar. 2009, pp. 131–145, doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2008.10.004. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2670779/
- Beaulieu, Myriam, et al. “A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of the Long-Term Treatment and Support of Substance Use Disorders.” Social Science & Medicine, vol. 285, no. 285, Sept. 2021, p. 114289, doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114289. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953621006213
- “Precision in Addiction Care: Does It Make a Difference?” The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, vol. 88, no. 4, 24 Nov. 2015, p. 415, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4654192/
- Center for Substance Abuse. Chapter 3. Managing Human Resources. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US), 2006, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64072/
