Choosing a drug treatment program is key to successful recovery. However, a great deal of thought should go into the decision of how and where to recover. Everything from staff credentials to the type of therapy incorporated into addiction treatment factor into this decision.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery, it does help to have an idea of what you can expect from a rehab facility when making your choice.
Facility Accreditations and Staff Credentials
Perhaps one of the most critical components of choosing a drug treatment program is its accreditation and staff credentials. The Joint Commission International (JCI) organization is responsible for accrediting treatment centers. Choosing a JCI-accredited facility ensures it maintains all industry standards regarding drug treatment protocols and has the appropriate licenses to administer services.
Staff credentials are also a significant consideration. From certified addiction coaches (CACs) to certified clinical coexisting disorder professionals (CCDPs), the staff should be composed of individuals with a mix of credentials and experience helping patients overcome addiction. Unqualified staff members run the risk of diluting the quality treatment necessary to deal with the rigors of substance use disorders. A rehab facility should have an experienced staff that understands the nuances of addiction from every perspective, including behavioral, social, environmental, familial and financial.
Differences in Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment Centers
One factor that may influence your decision in choosing a drug treatment program is whether the facility offers inpatient or outpatient treatment. Both are effective forms of alcohol or drug addiction treatment. Choosing between the two comes down to which you have access to and what kinds of therapeutic interventions are offered to support your physical and mental health.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient recovery at a drug rehab center requires you to check into a facility to undergo detoxification and rehabilitation. With inpatient care, you remain in a controlled environment 24 hours a day, receiving counseling and other services until you can move to the next stage of recovery. If you opt for inpatient addiction treatment, you’ll likely need time away from work. You’ll also need assistance caring for children or any family members you’re responsible for.
Inpatient treatment programs typically consist of formal counseling sessions, group therapy, wellness programs, etc. Many programs individualize treatment so you can address any issues you might have specific to your addiction. Detox is also part of most addiction treatment programs, as you may require medical care as you stop using.
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient treatment programs require you to receive therapy and other services on a predetermined schedule, but you’re not required to reside at the treatment facility in question. Sessions typically involve behavioral counseling, group sessions and education about addiction. They’re generally geared toward those with milder addictions. In some instances, you may have to wait for a room to be available in an inpatient program and may need to engage in an outpatient program in the meantime.
Those with mild addictions may also opt for outpatient detox programs. These involve routine physical and mental checkups as you stop the process of drug use and abuse. In some instances, medical professionals will provide you with medications to ease withdrawal symptoms during your detox appointments.
How Do I Choose the Right Treatment Center for Me?
Choosing a drug treatment facility for your needs depends on various factors. These include determining your goals and then examining the multiple components to pinpoint which options might speak to you.
Identify Your Goals
You don’t need to know all the goals you hope to reach when choosing a drug treatment program, but one or two represents a good starting point for recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. One of your goals is to stop using, but perhaps you also want to go back to school or reconnect with a family member or friend after you’ve completed treatment.
Identifying goals at the outset of treatment can help you stay the course on the tough days. It gives you something to look forward to, which can keep you motivated to complete treatment and maintain your sobriety.
Consider the Location
For many people in need of substance abuse treatment, location is essential to success. The closer you remain to your existing environment (and all the people and bad habits associated with it), the harder it may be to recover.
The ideal drug addiction rehab offers some distance from everything and everyone you know, as this can provide clarity while you make significant changes in your life. If you’ve opted for inpatient rehab, consider looking for one in a different town entirely, or even a different state. If you’re receiving outpatient treatment, consider driving to one in another community if possible.
Stay for the Right Amount of Time
One of the most important things to remember about choosing a drug treatment center is that recovery is not a linear path. While you may enter the facility for a predetermined time, this can change as you begin the recovery process. What takes 28 days for some may take triple that amount for others.
Give yourself the space to stay in addiction treatment as long as you can from a mental health and financial perspective. Leaving too soon can cause setbacks in recovery. You may initially sign up for a 30- or 60-day program, but if you can stay longer and find you’d benefit from doing so, commit to doing whatever it takes to get well.
Make Sure There Are Family Support Options
Family support is one of the most critical aspects of choosing a drug treatment program. If your family is willing to help you, choose a program that incorporates their support. It can make the difference in your ultimate success or failure in recovery. Encourage loved ones to send you notes of encouragement while you’re in recovery. Call them when you can to check in and get reinforcement of their support.
There may come a point when the family members who were most impacted by your addiction are invited to attend therapy with you. Take advantage of any opportunity to do so.
Seek Mental Health Combination Treatments
More often than not, addiction is intertwined with mental health issues. One of the reasons substance abuse is so prevalent among some populations is because of the penchant for self-medication to address underlying symptoms of mental illness.
Choose a drug treatment program that can effectively treat your addiction and your mental health. This might include counseling for each specific issue and perhaps even medical intervention if your mental wellness depends on it. Determining the extent to which these two issues are intertwined can make the difference in a successful recovery.
Seek Multifaceted Treatment Options
Insist on options when choosing a drug treatment program. For instance, medical detox is one way to make the withdrawal process more comfortable. Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) is another evidence-based approach to addiction treatment that’s increased in popularity. Some facilities rely on cutting-edge behavioral therapies, while others adhere to the 12-step programs that have traditionally worked.
The point is that the more options your treatment program has to help you succeed, the more likely you’ll be successful in your recovery. Ensure that whatever options are offered at the rehab center of your choice work for your needs and align with your recovery goals once you’ve figured out what they are.
Plan for Life After Rehab
Plan for life after a drug treatment program by finding a sober living facility if your chosen rehab center doesn’t offer one. At the very least, find a treatment program that provides programs to support you as you navigate sobriety. Sober living is an excellent way to transition from intensive recovery to everyday life without using substances to get by. Some structured sober living programs allow you to progress through stages of recovery until you feel ready to be on your own without the daily monitoring of staff and other sober living companions. Others release you back into your life right after inpatient treatment and give you access to resources to perpetuate continued wellness.
Whichever option you choose and can access, just be sure you have a plan to maintain your sobriety following drug rehab. Click here to learn more about your options for drug addiction treatment and what programs might work best for you on the road to recovery.
