| Facing the fact that someone you love is not only | | | | had experience with drug addiction. They will not |
| suffering from drug addiction, but now must receive | | | | have learned about it in a book. Are they qualified for |
| help to overcome the addiction, is difficult for anyone. | | | | their positions? What real-life knowledge do they |
| Where should you start? Who do you turn to? What | | | | have with drug addiction? What is their reason for |
| questions do you need to ask about drug treatment | | | | working in this field? |
| programs? Perhaps, you may have been at this point | | | | 5. Follow-up Program - |
| before, and you now feel a sense of hopelessness in | | | | What type of follow-up program does the residential |
| finding a residential treatment center that will work | | | | drug treatment center offer? This is important. |
| this time around. Maybe, though, this is the first time | | | | Sending a newly rehabilitated drug addict back into |
| you've had to take these steps to help someone | | | | the world without any follow-up can be disastrous. |
| you love. The process can feel overwhelming. | | | | Make sure that there is a program of this type in |
| Ultimately, you want your loved one back. You want | | | | place. Good programs keep in touch over the phone |
| that person you love free from drugs. You want that | | | | regularly after one leaves the program. |
| person to live a healthy and productive life. By asking | | | | 6. Location - |
| the right question on each of the following areas | | | | Where is the residential drug treatment center |
| when choosing a residential drug treatment center, | | | | located? A residential drug treatment center should |
| your chances of making this happen for your loved | | | | be protected. Ask how easy it would be for your |
| one will increase. | | | | loved one to leave. Many addicts when first coming |
| 1. Success Rate - | | | | off drugs want to leave. Ensuring that this is difficult, |
| What is the success rate of the residential drug | | | | while not seeming like a prison, increases the chances |
| treatment center? Obviously, the higher the success | | | | that the person will stay to finish. |
| rate, the more likely your loved one will succeed. Ask | | | | 7. Length - |
| to speak with graduates of the drug rehab facility or | | | | How long does the residential drug treatment center |
| their families. Get real opinions from real people. | | | | take? Although the standard program is 28 days, if |
| 2. Methods - | | | | the residential drug treatment center offers a longer |
| What method does the drug treatment center use? | | | | program, it is more likely your loved one will succeed. |
| Ask yourself if they are addressing all aspects of | | | | However, if the residential drug treatment center |
| your loved one's addiction, including what led them to | | | | allows your loved one to work at his or her own |
| drugs in the first place. Methods that only deal with | | | | pace, without imposing time constraints, your loved |
| one aspect of addiction are more likely to fail. | | | | one has an even greater chance of overcoming drug |
| Remember addiction results from a combination of | | | | addiction. An example of a program that is not based |
| many factors, including a lessening of morality and | | | | on time but on completion can be seen at |
| integrity and an increasing burden of guilt and shame. | | | | 8. Price - |
| The life of an addict includes bad habits, poor health | | | | How much does the residential drug treatment |
| and difficulty facing problems. After speaking with the | | | | center cost? Before eliminating any program because |
| facility, ask yourself if they are handling not just the | | | | of its price, ask yourself this: What are they |
| psychological aspects, but also the physical and | | | | offering? Look back at the points above and |
| mental aspects of addiction as well. Are they | | | | determine what the drug rehab is truly giving to the |
| providing practical skills that will help your loved one | | | | one you love. Yes, the more it offers, the more likely |
| succeed once the drug rehabilitation program is | | | | the price will be higher. However, your loved one will |
| completed? | | | | have a greater chance at becoming a healthy |
| 3. Services - | | | | productive member of society. How much is that |
| What services does the residential drug treatment | | | | person worth to you? |
| center offer? This is not only for your loved one, but | | | | Choosing a residential drug treatment center can be |
| for you as well. Will they help with legal issues? Will | | | | difficult. Dealing with a loved one suffering from drug |
| they assist in an intervention? In other words, to | | | | addiction is devastating. By breaking the process |
| what length will they go to make certain your loved | | | | down into what is important and finding out the |
| one gets the drug treatment they need? | | | | answers to the questions above, you will be able to |
| 4. Staff - | | | | make an informed choice as to which residential drug |
| Who are the staff members at the residential drug | | | | treatment program can best help you and your loved |
| treatment center? The best trained staff will have | | | | one. Drug addiction can be dealt with and overcome. |