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Alcohol and Drug Rehab
Treatment: Critical Decisions
By
David
Westbrook
Choosing the right alcohol or
drug rehab center can make all the difference when it comes to
entering long-term recovery from an addiction. The task of
finding the right drug rehab center is complicated by the fact
that there are over 13,000 drug rehab facilities around the
country. Each of these treatment centers is unique, but being
unique does not necessarily mean that they are all equally good.
It does, however, mean that you have many drug rehab centers to
choose from and if you do not find the right one immediately you
should continue searching as there are many high quality
centers.
Here are ten questions to help
you in your search for the right drug or alcohol rehab facility.
1. How does the treatment center
define success and what is their success rate?
Many drug treatment facilities
will have had independent reviews of their success. However,
success can be measured in many ways. One treatment center may
say they have a 74% success rate, but only be considering
clients who remain sober for 6 months; another center may claim
a 68% rate based on the results of clients after one year.
Whatever their claimed success rate you will want to know how
they measured it and what they consider success.
2. Are they accredited as a drug
rehab center? And if so by whom?
There are a handful of national
accreditation organizations including Joint Commission On
Accreditation Of Healthcare Organizations (JACHO) and Commission
on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), among
others. Organizations accredited by these bodies frequently have
undergone site reviews and have measured up to national
standards.
3. What are the credentials of
their staff?
Most states have a system for
credentialing drug and alcohol counselors. These individuals may
be Certified Addictions Counselors (CAC) or Certified Alcohol
and Drug Counselors (CADC). These are minimum certifications,
lead counselors should hold be MSW or LCSW level or higher.
4. Do they provide medically
supervised withdrawal?
With some drugs proper withdrawal
supervision can be a matter of life or death. If the treatment
center does not have a detox center can they recommend one for
attendance prior to treatment.
5. What does a typical week in
their drug rehab facility look like?
There should be a balance of
group and individual therapy. Education sessions, opportunities
for reflection and support groups along with other components.
6. Can the provide testimonials?
True, no treatment center would
put on display their failures, but they should be able to tell
you about their successes.
7. How do they assist in setting
up aftercare?
Aftercare has been found to be
crucial to the success of long-term recovery. A good treatment
center should either offer aftercare of be able to assist you in
locating aftercare in your community.
8. Do they have a diverse group
of counselors, and how will you be matched up?
One of the primary determinants
of treatment success is a good client-counselor relationship.
Therefore, a match between counselor and client should be worked
towards.
9. What is their treatment
modality or philosophy?
Find out if they are 12-step
oriented, use motivational, cognitive or behavioral therapies,
and then ask them to explain any terms you might not understand.
10. Do they work with your
insurance company or can they set-up a payment plan?
Make sure you ask if they can
work with your insurance company, or if your insurance does not
pay for treatment work out how payment is to be handled.
Use a systematic program for
identifying treatment centers which may be right for you. You
may wish to print these questions out and keep a separate
worksheet for each centers answers. Remember, the right drug
rehab center is waiting for you to call today.
© 2005, David Westbrook
About the Author: David Westbrook
is a freelance writer and the creator of
www.addictionsresources.com and www.alcoholismresrouces.com
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