After you’ve made the decision to seek help for a drug or alcohol addiction, the next step is choosing a treatment facility. Of the millions of people who enter drug rehab each year, one in ten has been to rehab five or more times before. By knowing what to look for and what questions to ask, you can increase your chances of finding a treatment that works.
How do they measure success? Some places consider treatment a success if a person continues to attend meetings or takes the methadone or Suboxone that was prescribed. Others may view the completion of a twenty-eight-day program as a success. Some count successes as the number of people who stay abstinent after they return home. There are many other factors of recovery that may be taken into accounts, such as employment or improved family relations.
Is it long-term or short-term? Many people need more than the standard 28 days, especially if they have underlying mental health issues. Some programs last 90 days or even longer, depending on the needs of the patient.
Does the program use medications to treat addiction, and is that an option you want to choose? Some programs may rely on drugs like Valium or Xanax to alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety in patients going through their programs. These medications may be helpful, but they also have the potential to become addictive themselves.
Does the program have non-medical ways of alleviating cravings, such as exercise and proper nutrition? Drug and alcohol abuse can have a variety of effects on the way the body absorbs nutrients. For example, intestinal problems resulting from opiate abuse can cause malnutrition, and alcoholism can cause anemia and brain disease resulting from nutritional deficiencies.
Does the program teach life and coping skills for after treatment? Does it include aftercare such as continuing outpatient therapy? Consider a child who was never taught skills like how to cook or do laundry. He has no idea how to budget and wouldn’t recognize a checkbook if it was in front of him. If his parents kick him onto the streets on his eighteenth birthday, he’s going to have no idea how to survive in the real world, and his chances of success aren’t very high. The period after treatment ends is really just the beginning of another journey, and patients need the tools to succeed.
Does the facility claim to offer miracle cures or unreasonably fast recovery times? For example, ibogaine is a psychedelic drug that some claim can cure addiction in just a couple treatments. Unfortunately, it can lead to some serious side effects and even death and is not actually cleared for medical use in the U.S.
Cost is yet another factor. You’ll have to look into what you can afford or what your insurance will cover. The location of the facility and the types of amenities available can greatly affect the price.
If you or a loved one need help to quit drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949-438-4504).
