Going to rehab is not an easy thing, nor is it cheap, so when you do make the decision to go, it is important that you research your options and choose a care facility that offers the type of care, and the quality treatment that you need to get back on your feet. While there are many different types of rehab treatment, you can likely choose one that is right for you based on personal needs and considerations, as well as the level of addiction.
What to Look For
The first thing to consider is what the rehab clinic has to offer rather than the type of clinic. You should also consider the treatment type; do you want a traditional 12 step program or a newer option like non12steprehabs.org? While the type of treatment is also very important, you do not want to consider any clinic without licensing, a well-established program, and potentially an after program as well.
Licensing – Any program that you participate in should be licensed in the state it is in. This is important for legal and safety reasons. In addition, the professionals in charge of the program should be highly trained in medicine or addiction. A facility must be licensed and certified in order to accept patients, and you should make sure that they are before you join or recommend anyone to the program.
Experience – You probably want to look for a program that has a high success rate, and the statistics to prove it. Consider asking around, or looking online for reviews and opinions on the clinic or program before joining it. This is mainly because you don’t want to sign up to a program with no experience, or to a scam in the guise of a rehab program.
After Program – Another thing that is a good thing to look out for but not 100% necessary is aftercare. After programs include any sort of support that continues to help the patient stay clean after leaving rehab in order to prevent a relapse. While not every clinic has these sorts of programs, they do help improve long-term success. These are sometimes called outpatient programs because they give the patient support once they leave the facility.
Choosing A Type of Rehabilitation Program
While there are many types of rehabilitation, inpatient and outpatient are the two basic methods. Each method has a couple of different types like 12-step and non-12-step, but for the most part it’s best to focus on the basics first. Outpatient treatment involves going to meetings, joining a group of peers, and usually some amount of behavioural and physical therapy. Inpatient drug rehab brings the patient into a clinic or facility and keeps them for 30-90 days in order to completely detox the body to get rid of a physical addiction. Twelve step programs usually focus on using a ‘higher power’ such as religious beliefs to get over the addiction while non-twelve step programs focus on building confidence and creating tools for fighting addiction.
Good questions to ask include who designs the programs, how many hours per day are dedicated to therapy (one to three is normal), what additional activities are available, and what sort of medical care is offered for withdrawal. While you should be able to talk to the patient care coordinator or caseworker, it is also a good idea to make ask to make sure there is one as well.
If you end up choosing an inpatient drug rehab centre then consider taking a tour of the facility before making a decision. Choosing a clean, well cared for facility with friendly staff can mean the difference between a success and a trip back within a year. Finally, it is always a good idea to discuss your options with a doctor or personal physician before making a decision.
Insurance
Last but not least, most people prefer to check with their insurance company to see if they are willing to pay for or help pay for the treatment. Depending on the insurer, on the policy and type of coverage, and on the clinic or rehab facility, you may or may not qualify for coverage. Discussing your options with your physician and a representative from your insurance company is the only real way to find out whether or not the program is covered. However, many insurance policies only cover minimal treatment in order to avoid paying the often higher costs of inpatient rehab.
Choosing a rehab clinic depends on your unique problem so make sure you do the research and find an option that benefits you and your situation.