| For most people, selecting the right alcohol or drug | | | | This question is actually more important for the |
| rehab program may be an intimidating and emotional | | | | knowledge gained in how the drug and alcohol |
| task. This may be an area where they have little or | | | | treatment program answers it rather than for a |
| no knowledge. It is important to select the most | | | | specific number they give. The fact is there is no |
| appropriate rehab program to increase the chances | | | | standardized way to measure a recovery rate. It is |
| of successful engagement and cooperation in | | | | very difficult to contact people who resume use. The |
| treatment. Selecting an incompatible or poor alcohol | | | | statistics are almost meaningless because recovery is |
| treatment center may do more damage than good. | | | | not a function of randomness or statistics. Your |
| It may foster the idea that all treatment does not | | | | action and participation or lack of it will determine |
| work. Here are 10 questions or areas of concern that | | | | success or failure. |
| will help to guide you to make an appropriate decision. | | | | 7. What is included in the cost of treatment? What |
| 1. Is the drug and alcohol program appropriate for | | | | are the extra charges? Is there financial aid available? |
| your needs? | | | | In many cases treatment centers we'll do a financial |
| It is important to match your needs to what the | | | | means and income assessment. They may then base |
| treatment center can offer. Is this the right level of | | | | their fees on a sliding scale based on ability to pay, or |
| care for you? Is the drug rehab capable of medical | | | | offer a flat percentage discount. There are often |
| detoxification? Is their program age specific or | | | | extra fees that may be charged in addition to the |
| gender specific? Can they handle any special needs | | | | basic treatment. Examples of these might be medical |
| you might have? Does it seem like you will 'fit in' with | | | | attention needed beyond basic detoxification, |
| their typical patient? | | | | psychological services, specialized groups or therapies. |
| 2. Is the alcohol and drug treatment center | | | | The inclusion of these fees in the program cost is |
| accredited? | | | | often negotiable. |
| There are two major credential Lang organizations in | | | | 8. Determine if your health insurance will cover all or |
| the treatment field. The first is JCAHO, the Joint | | | | part of drug treatment. |
| Commission on Accredited Health Organizations, and | | | | With a few exceptions, insurance companies will |
| the next is Commission on Accreditation of | | | | generally not cover inpatient alcohol and drug |
| Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Certification by these | | | | addiction treatment. It is usually a pitched battle to |
| organizations means the program has undergone site | | | | have insurance companies authorize payments for |
| inspections and will ensure that the center meets | | | | addiction treatment. Ask if your treatment center |
| national guidelines and standards for providing health | | | | has someone specifically assigned to advocate on |
| services. I would not consider a program that is not | | | | your behalf to the insurance company. |
| certified by one or both. | | | | 9. Determine the timeframe of the treatment |
| 3. What are the credentials of the staff? | | | | program. |
| The credentials to look for in counseling staff are | | | | As addiction treatment centers develop a more |
| either certified or licensed drug and alcohol | | | | individualized approach to treatment, the days of the |
| counselors, preferably with master's level degrees or | | | | standard 28 the inpatient treatments are fading. |
| above. Ask how will you matched or assigned to a | | | | Different patients need different amounts of time to |
| counselor? An empathic patient counselor relationship | | | | fully engage in treatment and maximize their benefits. |
| is critical. | | | | The length of stay in treatment is usually |
| 4. What is their treatment approach and philosophy | | | | continuously as assessed as is the level and length of |
| towards addiction? | | | | aftercare. They will usually offer a range of a typical |
| There are many different treatment approaches | | | | stay, such as 4 to 8 weeks. |
| towards alcohol and drug addiction, only a few are in | | | | 10. Addiction treatment is a continuum of care, a |
| the mainstream and have statistical evidence of being | | | | process not an event. How will they assist in |
| effective. Is their approach medical, psychological, | | | | recommending and securing aftercare and help with |
| Religious, or spiritual? If they use words you do not | | | | the transition back into society? |
| understand asked for an explanation, remember you | | | | What happens within the first year of abstinence and |
| will be restructuring your life based on their | | | | recovery can make the difference between staying |
| suggestions. | | | | sober permanently and suffering relapse. A good |
| 5. Ask to see a weekly schedule of patient activities | | | | continuing care plan will generally involve a stepped |
| Note how many individual sessions with counselors | | | | down level of clinical treatment, take into account |
| are included on a weekly basis as well as the number | | | | physical, psychological, family and spiritual needs. |
| of group counseling sessions. Do they have groups or | | | | Hopefully this article will provide you with a solid |
| counselors they can deal with the issues of grief, dual | | | | foundation for getting your questions answered. A |
| diagnoses, and life skills? Are there supplemental | | | | positive treatment experience can make all the |
| activities. | | | | difference in starting a life of recovery, especially if |
| 6. Ask the rehab program what the recovery rate is | | | | you select the right drug rehab or alcohol treatment |
| for their patients. What is their success rate and how | | | | center. |
| they define it. | | | | |