Choosing the right drug rehab center can be a daunting process. As you research treatment centers and speak with providers, here are 10 important questions to ask to help you narrow down your options.
1. Is your drug rehab center licensed and accredited?
To ensure an addiction treatment program will provide the best care possible, it is important to choose a facility that is licensed and accredited. Accreditation shows that the facility has reached certain benchmarks related to safety and quality. The most reputable drug rehab centers in the U.S. will be accredited by The Joint Commission or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Both the Joint Commission and CARF are independent, nonprofit organizations that base accreditation on industry performance standards and demonstrated results. According to the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, only 49% of substance abuse treatment facilities in the U.S. reported that they were accredited by CARF (29%) or The Joint Commission (20%).
2. What licenses and credentials do your clinical staff hold?
Credentials and licenses indicate whether the providers who deliver addiction treatment services meet nationally recognized standards for professional practice. If clinical staff members are not licensed or accredited, they may not have the training and experience required to provide the most effective care. Specific credentials held by addiction treatment professionals may include: MD (Medical Doctor), LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor), CADC (Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor), and LCP (Licensed Clinical Psychologist).
3. What treatment services do your drug rehab center offer?
Treatment services for addiction can vary widely depending on the drug rehab center. There are many different types of treatment methods available, but no single treatment program is appropriate for everyone. The most effective approach usually includes a variety of treatment methods that are personalized to the individual. Treatment methods may include individual therapy, group therapy, medication, education and recovery support networks, among other treatment approaches. In addition, our addiction treatment professionals tailor services to the individual to design the most effective program for recovery. By providing a broad range of treatment methods, individuals can find what is most effective in helping them recover.
4. Does your drug rehab center offer evidence-based treatment?
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), research shows evidence-based programs provide positive outcomes for people who are recovering from addiction. Evidence-based treatments are defined as interventions that have shown consistent scientific evidence of producing certain patient outcomes. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, if a drug rehab center claims to offer evidence-based treatment, it should offer the following practices for substance use disorders:
- Cognitive Behavioral Interventions
- Community Reinforcement
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy
- 12-Step Facilitation
- Contingency Management
- Pharmacological (Medication) Therapies
- Systems Treatment
- Integrated Dual Disorders/Co-occurring Disorders Treatment
5. Does your drug rehab center offer medically managed detox?
Medical detoxification, or medical detox, is often the first step prior to entering a drug rehab program. Because withdrawal symptoms can be severe, medically managed detox is often a necessity. Medical drug detox is indicated for patients who have shown signs of physical and psychological dependence on a substance.
6. Does your drug rehab center offer medication-assisted treatment?
Medications are an important element of treatment for many patients, especially in combination with counseling or therapy. There is ample evidence that establishes medication-assisted treatment (MAT), or the use of medications to help treat addiction, as the stand of care in treating addiction. MAT has been shown to improve patient survival and increase retention in treatment. Medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are used to relieve symptoms of withdrawal, reduce cravings, and help to prevent relapse.
7. Does your drug rehab center provide treatment for co-occurring disorders?
Many people who develop substance use disorders are also diagnosed with a mental health disorder, and vice versa. This condition is referred to as dual or co-occurring disorders. Substance use disorders often co-occur with anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, borderline and antisocial personality disorders, depression, and psychotic disorders. Research shows that the simultaneous treatment of addiction and mental health conditions, sometimes called the integrated treatment of co-occurring disorders, is more effective than the treatment of individual disorders with separate treatment plans. Therefore, it is important to choose a drug rehab center that is equipped to provide treatment for co-occurring disorders.
9. Does the rehab center provide aftercare?
Drug rehab typically involves a high level of clinical care and support. When a drug rehab program ends, it’s important to have a support system in place to help reduce the risk of relapse. Quality treatment centers usually offer a range of aftercare options to provide the continued guidance and support required to maintain long-term recovery. This may include a recovery support network or ongoing outpatient therapy.
10. How effective is your program?
Too often, addiction treatment outcomes are not measured or inconsistently measured by rehab providers. Furthermore, the definition of treatment “success” can vary from one drug rehab center to another. Be skeptical of drug rehab centers that claim to have “the cure” for addiction or 100% success rates. If a drug rehab facility specifies a success rate, the data should be collected using research-based methods or be published in peer-reviewed journals.
Give us a call at Hickory Treatment Centers and ask any questions you may have, a member of the staff will be happy to answer.
