February 1, 2019

Choosing the Right Treatment Facility

Written by Alex Thompson

If you’re looking for treatment for yourself or a loved one, chances are you’ve done a few Google searches, read some reviews, talked to a number of friends or family members, and maybe even called a couple of programs. The great news is that you’ve begun the life changing process towards recovery.

However, in today’s world, there are hundreds of treatment centers, and each one typically has something different to offer. From using medication assisted therapy to 12-step based to holistic modalities, choosing the correct facility often requires careful consideration and may leave you feeling overwhelmed. How do you know you’ve selected the right rehab?

Ways to Choose the Right Treatment Facility

When you or your family know exactly what to ask or what to research, you can more accurately choose a facility to meet your needs. Here are a couple of strategies to implement when making the life-changing decision to select the right treatment center.

Ask Questions

A reputable treatment facility is happy to answer detailed questions. Some important questions to ask include the following:

Evidenced-Based Treatment

Evidenced-based treatment approaches are scientifically proven to produce positive outcomes. Specifically, these methods can be an effective early intervention strategy backed by studies conducted on children, adolescents and young adults. A popular example of evidenced-based treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps a patient identify and alter negative thought processes that contribute to addiction,  this practice is available through both individual and group therapies.

It’s a proven fact that evidenced-based therapies work, and any treatment center that isn’t practicing these modalities might as well be crossed off your list.

Continuum of Care

A continuum of care can be described as the levels of treatment offered to patients. Typically, the highest level of care is the most acute – involving a medically supervised detox.

A full continuum of care includes:

Though detox is the first and one of the most important steps in the process, detox alone cannot provide all the necessary tools to sustain long-term recovery. To have the best chance at staying sober, finding a facility that offers a full continuum of care can provide the care and and support you or your loved one needs to stay sober long-term. Additionally, aftercare involvement can be considered one of the most influential factors in sustained recovery.

Family Involvement

Addiction just doesn’t affect the individual in need of treatment. Substance use disorder is considered a family disease and involvement of family members in treatment is crucial in order for the entire family system to recover.

Many treatment programs incorporate family counseling, psychoeducational groups for family members to understand the extent of addiction – and some facilities even offer “family weekends” for loved ones to participate in treatment programming and have needed conversations with their loved one about unresolved issues and feelings.

Location

Location matters. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, those suffering from substance use disorders can choose from more than 14,500 facilities in the United States. While some believe that it’s necessary to remove themselves from people and situations that may lead to relapse, others feel that attending a facility in their home city or state can help them learn coping skills and support systems needed to combat triggers in their day to day life.

Consider Costs

Unfortunately, good care isn’t free. Costs of treatment can play a large factor for patients and their families when considering treatment options. For most, the right treatment program must be financially feasible. The typical options for payment may include: insurance, cash pay, or a payment plan.

Additionally, under the Affordable Care Act, all health insurance marketplace plans must cover substance use and mental health treatment services. However, there are various plans that only work with certain facilities. When searching treatment centers, calling the facility to check insurance benefits will give you a clear idea of what your insurance plan will cover and what out-of-pocket costs you may owe. You can also call your insurance provider to find out what rehabs are in-network with your specific plan.

It’s clear that there are a number of factors to consider before choosing the right treatment facility that best fits yourself or your loved one’s unique needs, but this article provides important factors to consider and discuss during your search. With much questioning and research, you or your loved one can find the correct facility to address specific needs, provide high-quality care and support necessary for long-term recovery.

Contact us today to learn more about our programs and full continuum of care. We work with most insurance companies and are happy to discuss your specific needs.