What To Look For In An Alcohol Or Drug Rehab Facility

When you’re looking for an alcohol or drug rehab facility, you may have some concerns as you begin doing your research. It’s not always an easy decision to know what rehab facility may be right for you. However, there are key things to look for as you search for one that suits your needs. Below, we’ll look at some basic criteria you’ll want to consider.

Is It Inpatient, Outpatient, Residential, Or Sober Living Housing?

As you seek to attend a rehab center, decide on what type of treatment you need. Inpatient treatment and residential treatment are rehabs where you pack up and live at the facility for the duration of treatment. Inpatient is usually in a medical setting, like a hospital, and residential is usually in a home-like setting in the community.

Outpatient treatment is a treatment where you commute to and then return home when your sessions are completed. You may spend anywhere from three to five days there for a certain number of hours per day.

A sober living home is typically geared toward those that have completed inpatient or outpatient treatment. It’s a great place to continue treatment in a structured program while integrating back into the community.

How Long Is The Treatment Program?

Typically, most alcohol or drug rehab programs are 45 – 60 days long. However, the option to continue treatment is oftentimes offered. When checking rehabs out, ask about the length of the program and what happens after that time is completed. They may have an outpatient program to refer you to once you’ve completed inpatient treatment or a sober living program. It’s good to know ahead of time options.

Is The Rehab Licensed? Accredited?

The first thing you may want to do is check to see if the drug rehab is accredited and licensed. To be accredited means it has gone through tests and measures process and meets the standards of organizations like CARF. A great place to check for this is the state government wherever the rehab is located. As far as licensing, check to be sure the therapists have indeed licensed substance abuse counsellors.

Is Medication Offered?

Some rehabs offer various medications to assist with detox and recovery. For example, when coming off opiates, drugs like suboxone, methadone, or buprenorphine may be prescribed to help curb detox symptoms and/or cravings. There are other medications that can help with detox symptoms too, so be sure you find out if the rehab offers any.

Are Mental Health Issues Addressed Along With Recovery?

Be sure that there is a counselor or psychiatrist that can address any mental health issues that may be going on with you. Mental health issues like anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar, PTSD, and more may be going on under the surface. If so, you’ll want to be sure qualified staff is on board to help you address it.

Measured Success

You want a drug rehab that has some measured success. Granted, the success rate for any rehab is not likely 100 percent, as we all know that there are plenty of factors involved once a person leaves rehab. Still, ask what their typical success rate has been for long-term recovery. You can also ask them if they have some sort of plan in place in case there’s a relapse down the road. Do they allow you to return? Would there be a cost reduction if so?

A Physician Specializing In Treating Substance Abuse Disorders

Be sure that the physician they have working at the rehab actually specializes in treating substance abuse disorders.

Structure

You’ll want to attend a drug rehab program that has structure. Granted, not everyone loves structure, but for recovery purposes, it’s valuable. Ask the rehab what the average day looks like regarding sessions and free time. You may also want to ask about the rules.

Aftercare Program

You want to look for a rehab that will help you plan out your recovery path once you complete treatment. They’ll be able to help you determine what kind of ongoing support you may need in your community, such as support groups or counseling. They’ll also be able to help you create a relapse prevention plan, helping you learn how to identify and tackle triggers if or when they come.

Reach Out For Help

If you’re seeking help for an addiction, you’re on the right track doing some research. Be sure you keep these factors in mind as you move forward in your search.