How to Choose a Rehab Center

How to Choose a Rehab Center

Making the decision to go to rehab is one of the best things you can do. However, once you make that decision, you then have to determine which rehab center you’re going to go to. At first glance, it might seem like all rehabs are the same. That’s not truly the case, though. There are a lot of differences between rehab centers. They don’t all offer the same types of therapy, and some may focus on treating specific addictions instead of general addiction. If you’re looking for a rehab, let’s take a look at why it’s important to choose carefully and how to select the best treatment center.

Why Should You Take Your Time in Choosing a Rehab Facility?

Some people do decide to go to the nearest rehab facility or the first one they find online. They may want the convenience of going to a center nearby, especially if they’re looking to do outpatient treatment. Others might make a decision based on cost. They may be very concerned about the budget and go with the cheapest option. Some people might not realize how many different treatment options are available and pick a facility without really comparing it to others.

However, there are a few reasons why picking a rehab facility based on any of these reasons isn’t a good idea:

  • The rehab center may not offer the right treatment for you.
  • Their staff may not be certified in treating your condition.
  • You may need additional care for a dual diagnosis that the center doesn’t provide.
  • They may not provide a variety of different therapy options.

It’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all addiction treatment plan. Your needs are not the same as another patient’s needs. You need to find the right type of treatment (inpatient or outpatient) plus the right types of therapy (group, cognitive behavioral, etc.) that fit your needs.

What Happens if You Select the Wrong Rehab?

If you go to a rehab that doesn’t help you address your addiction in the right way, you’re likely not going to be ready to deal with your addiction. You may not fully understand why you’ve turned to drugs or alcohol. You may not have the right tools to successfully fight off urges and triggers. In the end, you’re more likely to relapse and have to start the process all over again.

Now that you have an idea of why it’s important to pick the right rehab, let’s look at some of the factors you should consider before selecting a facility.

Do You Need Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment?

Some of the rehab facilities we could pair you up with focus completely on inpatient therapy. Their patients live at the facility for around 30 days. During this time, they receive around-the-clock services. This type of rehab can be very helpful if you’re dealing with years of drug use. It’s also good for those who have a dual diagnosis and need to learn how to handle both their addiction and their mental illness.

On the other hand, outpatient treatment does have a number of advantages. Being able to live at home while getting treatment can be perfect for those who don’t deal well with a lot of changes. These patients are able to ground themselves in a familiar environment while still going to therapy and learning how to cope with addiction. If you need to continue working, going to school, or handling other responsibilities while getting help, outpatient treatment allows that.

 What Does the Center Specialize In?

Another thing you need to consider is what the rehab facility focuses or specializes in. The rehabs we work with cover a range of different addictions, but some will fit your needs better than others. For example, if you’re abusing cocaine, you won’t want to go to a rehab that primarily focuses on helping alcoholics. Patients with a dual diagnosis want to make certain the rehab they’re going to has staff members who understand and can treat mental illness.

Even rehabs that treat most addictions will have some areas they have more experience with than others. Always ask if the center has experience treating patients with your addiction or needs. If they don’t, consider other options.

What Types of Therapy and Treatment Models Does the Facility use?

There are many different ways to treat addiction. Not all rehab facilities use the same therapy options or treatment models. Likewise, not every type of therapy or treatment is going to work for every patient. You want to make certain the facility you’re going to has the right therapy models for you.

One big roadblock here is that you may not know which types of therapy or treatment model will work best for you. If you’ve never gone to rehab before, it’s all going to be new. This is where we can help. We will talk to you about your experiences and your history to help you figure out which options may be best for you. For example, if you’re artistic, you may find that art therapy helps you. If you turned to drugs because of family problems, you may want to attend a rehab that makes use of family therapy.

Here are some of the different types of therapy you may want to consider:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy

These are just some of the therapy options available.

Ask About the Facility’s Certifications and Staff

You want to make certain that the physicians, therapists, and others who are providing your care have the correct licenses. One thing you want to look for is an accreditation from the Joint Commission. This accreditation shows that the rehab meets the high standards issued by the Joint Commission. Another certification to look for is LegitScript. This certification indicates that the addiction treatment center is allowed to legally advertise their services online. That may not seem like much. However, it means if you find a rehab center online without this certification, you know to look elsewhere.

As far as staff credentials go, you want to be assured that the staff have degrees in their fields. Therapists should hold psychology degrees and licenses. Dual diagnosis doctors should have studied mental illnesses. If most of the staff aren’t licensed professionals, it can be a sign that the facility isn’t right for you.

How Long Is a Standard Treatment Program?

In the U.S., most rehabs offer 28 to 30-day treatment programs. This isn’t necessarily because that’s the right amount of time to learn to be sober, though. Instead, that’s the length of time most insurance companies will pay for.

However, if your insurance is different or if you can afford to pay for treatment yourself, you will find that many facilities do offer 60 and even 90-day treatment options. If you feel like 30 days isn’t enough, you will find longer options available.

Consider the Location and the Amenities

You also want to consider some of the physical properties of the rehab facility. This includes where it’s located. Some people do make the mistake of choosing a rehab because it’s near their home. This can be convenient, and for outpatient treatment, it’s often a must. If you’re going to do inpatient treatment, though, it might not be the best option. Some people do better in rehab if they can make a full, though temporary, break from their life. This allows them to fully engage in a completely different environment where they are free of everything associated with their addiction.

The amenities at rehab offers can also help. Some treatment facilities are like spas. They offer amazing amenities that pamper their patients. However, these rehabs aren’t necessarily any better than those that offer more basic comforts. You should take a look at the amenities offered, of course, but don’t automatically assume rehabs that look like five-star hotels are better than others.

How Much Does it Cost?

It’s easy to say that cost shouldn’t have any bearing on the rehab you go to. After all, you can’t put a price on living a sober life. Unfortunately, however, cost does often play a part in selecting a treatment center. The type of program you go into, the length of stay, the location, and more all go into determining the cost of your treatment. You have to figure out how you’re going to pay for this, which can be very stressful. Here are some of the most common ways people pay for rehab:

  • Health insurance coverage
  • Private pay
  • Medicaid/Medicare
  • Loans
  • Scholarships
  • And more…

Ideally, your health insurance will cover most of the cost, but that’s not always the case. That’s also not an option if you’re unemployed or work somewhere that doesn’t offer insurance benefits. Private pay isn’t always an option, either. Most rehab facilities do offer financial help.

Compare Your Options

 

Now that you have an idea of what to look for in a rehab, you can compare your options. You may want to have a trusted friend or family member help you here. We can also help. We have several rehab partners we have full faith in. If you’re ready to go to rehab, reach out to us today. We will help you find the right treatment facility.

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