A variety of factors including accidents, peer pressure, abuse, violence, war, grief, and more can ensnare someone into drug and substance abuse. While for some people drugs are about getting high, for others, they are an escape from a painful existence. Stopping on your own without external professional help can be overwhelming and difficult. Most people need a rehabilitation facility to help restore them to health and a useful place in society. Here are some tips for choosing a rehab facility for yourself or a loved one struggling with drugs and substance abuse.
Accreditation and licensing
Get a facility that is accredited with practices, treatment, and care plans that have been reviewed by experts and found trustworthy. Licensing is proof of the legal existence and compliance of the rehab facility with the laws of the land. This shows the institution complies with legal and industry requirements. Research and find out if their treatment plans are evidence-based and check to see their success rates if you’re able to find trustworthy statistics.
Out-patient facilities
There are different types of treatment options, inpatient and outpatient. In-patient programs require the person to stay on site until they complete treatment. Outpatient treatments on the other hand allow patients to receive treatment while staying at home.
Inpatient programs have the benefit of having a supervised detox process which can be dangerous. They also take the patient away from their usual environment and potential triggers which can support the healing process.
Outpatient programs have the benefit of allowing the patient to be around their support system. They also work well for people who cannot take time off from work. You need to decide which one will work best for you and select a rehab facility based on that.
Complete program
Does the rehab facility include a complete program that you can look at? Treatment often requires medical supervision, expert psychological care, life-term health coaching, and more. It is often difficult to get a centre with all these available in-house. However, you should find pick one that has a complete program and the ability to walk with the patient through the many steps from detox to long-term treatment.
Personalized treatment
Any serious rehab facility should offer personalized treatment plans. It should be able to consider the individual’s history, mental and physical health issues and create a personalized treatment plan. Recovery is more than just being sober, the facility should offer a robust mental healthcare plan. When the approach isn’t personal, the chances of relapse increase and the road to recovery is much longer.
Aftercare programs
For inpatient facilities especially, find out if they offer any aftercare programs. Choose a rehab facility that offers post-treatment recovery to prevent cases of relapse. Programs such as phone-based coaching, care groups, and other support systems are effective in helping maintain sobriety.
Family therapy
A loved one’s addiction problem affects the entire family. A good institution would offer family therapy and support that will be instrumental in helping the person recover and the entire family deal with the problem at hand.
Location and amenities
Some people prefer to select a rehab facility that is close to them or their family because they like the idea of being close to their family. Other people prefer one that is located in a far-off location like mountainous areas or areas with scenic locations which may allow patients to feel relaxed, triggering a faster recovery process.
You or your loved one especially in the case of an inpatient centre will have to stay at the facility. Take a tour of the rehab facility to see the quality of the grounds including rooms and shared spaces. Some amenities like exercise and outdoor activities may be good for the mind and body and may go a long way in supporting treatment.
Staff qualification
Checking your loved one into a rehab facility is entrusting them to what you assume are professionals who will care for them and help them heal. You need to make sure that the clinical staff is licensed which proves that they have the requisite training and experience to offer rehabilitation care.
Also, make sure that the rehab facility isn’t understaffed. A good staff to patient ratio is 5:1. If the ratio is too high such as 1:10, the facility is likely going to be lacking in its ability to provide treatment. Find out if they have the necessary staff members such as psychologists, nutritionists, nurses, and physicians. Consider speaking to some of the staff just to get a feel for how they are. Find out the philosophy that guides their actions as well. Ask lots of questions and gauge how they are received and responded to.
Specialization
Not all facilities treat all kinds of addictions. One may specialize in heroin addiction another in alcohol and another in cocaine. Consider finding a rehab facility that specializes in the substance abuse issue you’re dealing with.
Cost
Find out the costs of the various treatment options they offer. You also need to find out if the rehab facility takes insurance and if your insurance covers it.
Check out
4 signs it’s time to seek addiction treatment
8 ways to help someone struggling with addiction
People, Places And Things – Understanding Addiction, Rehabilitation And Everything In Between
Relationships: Tips For Dating Someone In Addiction Recovery
