If you have a loved one with a substance abuse problem, you likely have a lot of questions about drug rehab. How do you choose a quality program? This article will cover some key things you should look for when researching rehab for a loved one.
Preliminary Questions When Researching Rehab
You should first consider location. Would the person benefit most from a local rehab facility, where visits from friends and family would be easy and frequent? Or would the person get more out of a drug rehab facility that is out of the area or even out of the state? Sometimes a total change in environment and scenery helps someone to better concentrate on their recovery. It’s also true that a new location would be free of certain place triggers, or urges to use the substance of choice. Once you have decided on a location, focus on the kind of program you’re looking for. Would the loved one like a non-faith-based treatment program? Or would they like one with a 12-Step program? What about alternative therapies? These can include music, dance and art therapy, animal therapy, such as caring for horses, swimming, yoga, meditation, biofeedback and nutritional therapy. Once you have decided on these factors, you can concentrate on looking for the certain things that all high-quality drug rehabs will have in common.
Things to Look For in a Quality Rehab
- Accreditation
- Evidence-based therapy program
- Comprehensive intake interview
- Individualized treatment plans
- Comfort and security of facility
- Adequate number of trained staff members
- Physicians board-certified in Addiction Medicine
- Dual diagnosis services
By state law, drug rehabs must be licensed. However, licensing requirements can be mediocre and even minimal. For this reason, always check to be sure the facility is accredited by an independent drug treatment authority entity like CARF or The Joint Commission. An accredited facility has been reviewed and inspected by the authority entity and has received their approval. This provides a satisfactory level of assurance that the facility’s treatment standards are high.
There are many different types of drug rehab treatment. However, only those therapies that are evidence-based should be included in a quality program. Evidence-based means that the therapy has been proven to work. You can ask the facility which types of evidence-based therapy they use. You can then research them yourself online to be sure they’re accepted methods of treatment.
A comprehensive intake interview should be conducted for each new resident. This in-depth interview can take as long as several hours to complete. It should only be performed by a trained addiction specialist. Your loved one’s complete drug history, mental and physical health history will be reviewed and recorded. It’s all confidential. The information is used to help create the best treatment program for each individual.
Individualized, detailed treatment plans should be created for each new resident. Everyone has different needs. A treatment plan will include detox protocols and recovery therapy goals. If the facility offers alternative therapy, that will also be included according to the resident’s preferences.
Once you have selected a facility, if it’s close enough, call and ask for a tour. If the drug rehab is far away, you can conduct a phone interview. If they refuse, move along to another facility. The drug rehab you choose should be pleased to show off their facility for you. It should be clean and comfortable. It should be secure. It’s not a jail, but residents cannot just come and go as they please, either. The facility has a responsibility to keep the property free of drugs and unauthorized persons. Check the kitchen and bathrooms to be sure they’re sanitary. The residents’ rooms should be comfortable. There should be adequate individual space for rest and storage of personal items. Staff members should be concerned, friendly and approachable. They should cheerfully and completely answer all your questions.
Ask about licensing of staff members. Each should hold a current, valid license for their occupation. All staff members should be trained and certified in substance abuse treatment, counseling or a closely related field. There should be an acceptable staff-to-resident ratio. This means that the facility employs enough staff to care for each resident properly.
Staff physicians should preferably be board-certified in Addiction Medicine. If not, they should at least have several years of experience in the field.
As many as half of all persons with a substance abuse problem also have a mental disorder like depression. All residents should be screened and treated for any dual-diagnosis issues.
If you’re confused, you’re not alone. If you’d like help with finding the best treatment facility for your loved one, just call us at 844-903-2111. We are professional drug treatment counselors, and we are here 24 hours a day. We help people find help every day. We look forward to helping you.
