When choosing a rehab center, you should look at more than just their claimed success rates. Just like any other chronic disease, drug addiction treatment varies from person to person.
Recovering from addiction is a long journey. This is why many rehab centers focus on measurable data such as retention, relapse rate post-treatment and in-house studies.
Choosing a Rehab Center
When choosing a rehab center for yourself or your loved one, you need to consider several factors. First, know your own goals for recovery and ensure that those goals align with those of the rehab you choose. Second, understand how different programs measure success. Some focus only on a client’s completion of their program while others may consider other factors important to long-term recovery, such as gainful employment and improved family relationships.
A rehab center’s staff-to-client ratio can also be a factor. A higher staff-to-client ratio may indicate a more individualized approach to treatment. It’s also worth knowing whether a rehab offers medical detox, which can be necessary for some people who are dependent on prescription opioids or heroin. A good rehab will offer this service in-house but if not, they will refer clients to a separate facility for detox.
Once you have a list of potential rehab centers, it’s time to begin researching the specific programs they offer. Ask about the types of treatment they provide, if they treat co-occurring disorders and if their professionals are licensed and accredited. You will also want to learn about their pricing and payment options. Many people will need to pay for rehab out-of-pocket, with the help of insurance or financing, but some rehabs offer free or reduced-cost treatment for those who qualify.
After considering a rehab’s program offerings, you can narrow down the list by considering the facility’s treatment philosophy. For example, some rehabs offer spiritually based therapies that emphasize the connection between the mind and body while others have a stronger focus on medication-assisted therapy.
It’s also a good idea to find out if the rehab you are considering is accredited by the National Institute of Drug Abuse or the American Academy of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) and whether it offers dual diagnosis treatment for people who are struggling with addiction and a mental illness. Also, be sure to ask about aftercare participation rates as this can be a strong predictor of a client’s successful recovery. Many quality rehabs will set up a local care network for clients upon discharge by providing them with names of therapists, general physicians and psychiatrists to whom they can be referred.
Choosing a Modality
When choosing a rehab program, it is important to consider the modality that is best suited to your needs and goals. There are many different treatment modalities that can be used to help you recover from addiction, including group and individual therapy, medication, and 12-step programs. Each modality has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to find a treatment that works for you.
One measure of success is sobriety rates, which are the percentage of individuals who remain abstinent from drug or alcohol use after completing a treatment program. These figures can be a useful indicator of a rehab’s effectiveness, but they should be viewed in conjunction with other indicators of recovery. For example, it is important to understand that relapse is a common occurrence during addiction recovery and is not necessarily indicative of the quality of treatment.
It is also important to find a rehab that provides client-centered care. This includes fostering a supportive and nurturing environment that encourages individuals to open up about their underlying issues and challenges. It is also important to find a program that offers a range of therapeutic services, such as family and individual counseling, acupuncture, and recreational activities.
Rehab centers that offer flexible scheduling options and other support services can help you overcome the barriers that may be hindering your recovery. For example, they can provide transportation assistance and help you find a job, akin to ones present on this short list. This can make it easier for you to stay sober, as it will prevent relapse and ensure that you have a strong support system.
Lastly, it is important to find a rehab that has a high completion rate. This means that they have a good track record of helping individuals recover from substance or alcohol use disorder. In addition, they should have a low dropout rate and implement strategies that can improve engagement and retention. This could include providing a variety of payment options, promoting financial literacy, and offering client-centered care.
Recovering from addiction is a long-term process, and it can be challenging to determine what measures indicate success. For this reason, it is important to look at a wide range of factors, including changes in substance or alcohol use, improvement in relationships, and success in work and school.
Choosing a Treatment Plan
As you explore what rehab is best for your needs, it’s important to first define the specific types of substances or behaviors that you need help with. This will allow you to narrow down the options and begin contacting facilities to learn more about what they offer. It’s also essential to understand that there is no single type of treatment, therapy or approach that works for everyone. Choosing the right program for your unique situation and circumstances will lead to a higher likelihood of long-term success.
The next step is to decide if you want to attend an inpatient or outpatient rehab program. Inpatient programs are recommended for more severe addictions, as they provide a safe environment with around-the-clock care. They are more expensive than outpatient options, however, and require you to be away from work or family for an extended period of time. For many, the expense and lifestyle disruption are not feasible, so outpatient rehab is often a more attractive option.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, look for a rehab program that offers specialized services that meet your needs. This may include gender-specific programs, or specialization in treating a particular substance or behavior. This can increase your chances of success because it will ensure that you’re receiving care from a facility that has experience with your unique circumstances and needs.
You should also consider the length of your rehab program. While it’s difficult to predict how long you will be in recovery, research suggests that patients who receive longer-term treatment (90 days or more) have better outcomes. Whether you’re considering inpatient, residential or outpatient rehab, find a program that can provide the support you need for a successful journey to recovery.
Finally, be wary of any facility that claims to have a high success rate or 100% recovery rates. Addiction is a chronic disease, similar to hypertension or asthma, and while there are treatments available that can significantly improve your chance of long-term recovery, it’s unrealistic to expect a complete cure. If a facility advertises these results, ask for evidence that they are based on scientific research or published in peer-reviewed journals.
Choosing a Support Network
After you’ve narrowed your rehab options, it’s important to do some due diligence to make sure you’re choosing a facility that has everything you need to succeed. This includes additional services that go beyond the standard program of care, such as nutrition programs and fitness or exercise programs. In addition, look for facilities that offer a variety of alternative therapies such as yoga or meditation. These can help improve mental health and boost physical wellness.
It’s also worth looking at what kind of support network the facility has. In a residential program, this will include staff members and other patients who can provide the support you need to stay sober. This support can be especially helpful in the early days of recovery, when it may be hard to maintain sobriety and make other healthy choices.
Lastly, you should pay attention to how much the rehab is charging for their program. This will be a key factor in your decision, as different rehabs cost different amounts. You’ll want to find a facility that offers your preferred payment method and is in-network with your insurance provider. This will minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
Aside from the financial investment, it’s also important to consider the quality of the care you’ll receive at a particular rehab center. Generally speaking, higher-end rehabs have better success rates than lower-end ones. This is because low-end rehabs tend to have more patients than they can adequately accommodate, which can lead to a lack of proper care and treatment.
In contrast, high-end rehabs have a smaller patient population, which can allow for a more personalized approach to treatment. For example, they can provide more one-on-one counseling time to patients, which can be instrumental in helping them overcome their addiction and get back on track with life. Additionally, they’re more likely to provide assertive linkages to ongoing support groups and community resources for their clients, which can result in a greater degree of success after treatment.