Substance Abuse Treatment

What to Look for When Choosing a Rehab Center

rehab center
Written by Fritz

Many people are battling the disease of addiction. Unfortunately, less than 16% of addicts with alcoholism get treatment.

This percentage can be attributed to several things, but one problem addicts seeking recovery face is which rehab center to choose. Rehabilitation centers aren’t made equal, so knowing what to look for is essential.

Finding a rehab center can be daunting if you don’t know what you want. To find the right one, you need to be able to compare your options confidently. 

This blog should prove helpful in making your decision. Here’s a list of things to look for so you can start your recovery journey today.

1. Search Online

When trying to find a rehab center, you first need to make a list of places to consider. The quickest way you can do this is to search online. For the best success, use search terms like:

  • “Rehab center near me”
  • “Treatment centers for substance abuse”
  • “Addiction treatment options in my area”

Once you have a list compiled, you can begin to make a shortlist. Eventually, you’ll have narrowed your list to one or two rehabilitation centers to compare.

2. Ask For Recommendations

If you know anyone who has been through recovery for a substance use disorder, they’re also an excellent place to start. Ask them which treatment center they used and whether or not they liked the experience. If they have any complaints about the facility, they’ll inform you.

Likewise, if they found the experience positive, they will tell you what they enjoyed and how it helped them recover. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t know anyone who can recommend a treatment center; there are other methods you can use to find one.

3. Read Reviews

Once you’ve searched online and found a few treatment centers you’re considering, it’s time to read some reviews. Reviews can tell you a lot about a place, but remember to read them “with a pinch of salt.” Avoid paying attention to anonymous negative reviews, as someone like a disgruntled employee may have left them.

Additionally, try to read reviews posted only in the last six months. Reviews posted before that time may not reflect the center’s current standards. You can find reviews in several places, such as:

  • On the rehabilitation center’s website
  • On Google listings
  • On third-party review websites like Yelp

4. Consider Their Treatment Options

The next thing you want to do once you have a list of rehab centers to consider is look at their treatment options. Your needs may differ from the next addict, so first, determine what you need from a treatment facility.

For example, do you need to live on-premises, or do you need to attend work or school still? This will tell you whether you need inpatient or outpatient treatment programs. Are you addicted to a substance that your body needs to detox from? If so, will you require a medically assisted detox program? Find a treatment center that offers the services you need, like individual counseling, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), equine therapy, 12 Step programs, etc.

5. Consider The Location

The next essential consideration when choosing a rehab center is its location. Do you want to attend a facility out of state or one closer to home? 

There are benefits to choosing a rehab center that’s far away from home. For example, you’re taken out of your everyday life and, because of the distance, can give your full attention to your recovery.

Some more luxury treatment centers may require a bit of traveling to get to if they’re on a ranch or private or secluded land. If you want alternative therapies like equine therapy and yoga, you may have to look at out-of-state facilities if your home state doesn’t offer these services.

6. Dual Diagnosis Rehab Center or Not?

Often people battling the disease of addiction are also struggling with a co-occurring mental illness, like depression or bipolar disorder. For this reason, you need to consider whether or not you need to attend a dual diagnosis facility.

A dual diagnosis rehab center will help you recover from your substance abuse. Often people struggling with mental illnesses turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. However, because a dual diagnosis center also addresses co-morbid disorders, you have a higher chance of recovery from your addiction.

7. Check Their Licenses and Accreditations

When choosing the right rehab center, you need to consider whether or not they have the appropriate licenses. If the center has accreditations, the treatment center adheres to specific standards of practice and guidelines. The standards are set by an independent third-party organization in the industry that specializes in addiction and mental health.

You also need to check if your state has any requirements that facilities need to meet to become licensed. If they don’t have the appropriate licenses and accreditations, scrap them from your shortlist. Rehab centers that aren’t approved may not keep updated with the latest evidence-based treatment options.

8. Review Costs

Finally, another factor you must consider when choosing a rehabilitation center is how much it will cost. Will you pay out of pocket, or do you have health insurance covering addiction treatment costs? If you’re paying out of pocket, you must determine your budget before you begin your search.

Rehab center fees will differ depending on several factors. For instance:

  • The location
  • The therapy options (i.e., 12-Step programs, equine therapy, etc.)
  • Additional facilities (i.e., medical detox services)
  • Extra amenities (i.e., massage therapy)

Start Your Recovery Journey Today

Seeking recovery from substance abuse is a brave thing to do. It can be difficult to achieve sobriety independently, so choose a rehab center that suits your requirements. You can create a shortlist by doing online searches or asking friends and family, and then you can compare services, locations, costs, therapy options, etc. Following these guidelines should help you find a rehab center you feel comfortable with and can afford.

If you want to begin your search, look at our website. We have lists of private and state-funded facilities, Medicaid, Medicare, and more. Begin your recovery journey with us today.

About the author

Fritz

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