How to Find the Right South Florida Rehab for You

As you search for the right rehab center for you or your loved one, be sure to ask about options for both short- and long-term treatment. Many people do well in a residential inpatient program for the first few months but benefit from the help of intensive outpatient programs and one-on-one support as they move back into the world. A conversation about options before picking which rehab center is right for you could help.

Inpatient and outpatient services are similar in that they offer a combination of different types of therapy and clinical resources. In most cases, patients are assigned a team made up of social workers, therapists, psychologists, nurses and doctors who’ll work with them to create a treatment plan for recovery. A combination of group and individual therapy and healing activities will often be offered to help address issues, identify unhealthy habits and more. In some cases, the use of medication will be recommended, especially if you have a mental health diagnosis contributing to your substance use.

While inpatient and outpatient treatment centers have a lot in common, one of the benefits to living in a residential treatment center is that your recovery will be more structured, leaving less free time to be triggered or tested. For this reason, many people prefer the idea of inpatient treatment. Others, though, opt for outpatient treatment due to family obligations, needing to maintain employment and more.

The best way to know what type of treatment is right for you is to have a conversation with the admission staff or a health care provider you know and trust. If you currently see a therapist, they could also be a great resource in the type of therapy and rehab center that might work best for you.

Whether you’re struggling with alcoholism, drug addiction or behavioral challenges, you’ll want to know about the types of treatment any facility offers its patients. While drug abuse and mental health treatment should be a top priority, it’s also important to understand the therapeutic modality and treatment approach of each rehab center you’re considering.

For example, some rehab centers use therapists intent on looking at individual needs, home lives and unique struggles for each patient, while others treat patients with more rigid healing methods. While many people respond to structured counseling, others do better with one-on-one recovery treatment. Asking about the types of treatment a rehab center offers and finding one that not only provides resources but offers multiple approaches to therapy is a great way to know you’ll find a balance that works best for you.

The following is a brief list of the types of therapy you might expect to find in a South Florida rehab center and ways they’re meant to help you work toward a successful recovery:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A common form of talk therapy that’s highly structured, short in duration and evidence-based. CBT helps patients identify negative thinking and patterns to make changes in both behavior and the way a person processes situations. A handy resource after rehab, the coping skills learned in CBT therapy can help a client identify triggers and make healthier choices in recovery.
• Art therapy: Great for people who are struggling with identity, grief, trauma or understanding their relationships. Art therapy is an expressive form of client-driven therapy that can be done individually or in groups. It can be particularly helpful for patients who aren’t ready to open up about mental health challenges or struggles.
• Solution-focused therapy: A postmodern, client-friendly approach to therapy, this therapeutic modality concentrates on identifying resources to make a situation better. Where traditional talk therapy may focus on a person’s traumas or childhood, solution-focused therapy is a forward-thinking hands on treatment approach to healing.

• Group therapy: Using group members to mirror each other, trade ideas, gain connections, practice social skills and more, group therapy can be extremely helpful for those in recovery. Group therapy helps clients know they’re not alone, learn from other people and get differing perspectives. Exercises in group therapy could include modeling, practicing conversations and tasks around redefining sense of self, both as an individual and in a larger group dynamic.
• Family therapy: Helpful to clients with dysfunctional relationships or whose family members have been impacted by addiction, family sessions are useful to people working to repair relationships and find better ways to communicate with the people they care about most.
• Alcoholics Anonymous/NA/Alanon: Some South Florida rehab centers use traditional models like AA where clients are encouraged to admit their helplessness over substance abuse. These models are considered useful for those who believe in a higher power and have been proven to work for many.

Some people are reluctant to call about being admitted into a rehab treatment center because they’re concerned about cost. Again, this is a situation where doing your best research ahead of time will pay off, as not all rehab centers are the same. For some, payment can come by way of insurance companies, sliding scale plans, private pay or grants. Others offer funding sources and other creative ways to make addiction treatment affordable to everyone.

The best way to find out about costs and payment options is to ask up front, including asking about a list of alternative options if insurance and private pay won’t work. At the end of the day, making your recovery a top priority and being open-minded about how to make it happen is something you’ll likely thank yourself for.