Choosing the Best Residential Centers for Addiction Treatment
According to Narconon, addiction is a serious problem that affects all aspects of an addicts life. Sometimes a person addicted to drugs needs a residential center for addiction treatment to break out of cycle of addiction and get their life back.
There are many options to choose from when seeking treatment. One of the most effective options are residential centers for addiction treatment.
Finding the best residential addiction treatment center is difficult to do especially since most addicts are in withdrawal or intoxicated while seeking one. There are three main things that should be considered while choosing a treatment facility.
These are:
- what to look for in a treatment facility
- geography and financial considerations
- where to look for treatment centers
What to Look for in a Treatment Facility
Everyone’s needs are different, including what an addict needs in a drug treatment facility. In most cases the longer the patient used, the longer and more intensive the treatment. That is why it is important to find a program and treatment style that meets your needs. Some treatment centers offer short programs while others offer longer more relaxed programs.
Most programs begin at about twenty-eight days to give patients enough time to get through the withdrawal process and engage in counseling. This is a standard for most programs, but many addicts need longer and many treatment centers offer extended stay programs to accommodate such needs.
No matter how long the program is, support and aftercare are crucial to a complete recovery. A good residential program addresses the physical, mental, and financial needs of the addict and allows enough time to accomplish addiction free goals.
When seeking a residential treatment facility, you may see ads for programs in majestic mountain settings with swimming pools and smiling happy patients. While this is nice, the price tag might be too high and the quality of treatment is what is important. Things to check include:
- if the facility is accredited and licensed with the State it is in,
- if the staff members are trained and certified to treat addiction,
- there are both clinical and counseling treatment options,
- individual and group therapies are readily available 24 hours a day,
- life skills, dietary, coping skills and other coaching options are offered to make it easier to stay away from the drug of choice,
- if family members and friends can be involved in the treatment,
- if the staff and doctors screen for and treat other underlying disorders,
- if the facility is successful treatment program record, and
- if there is an aftercare program.
A good treatment program will meet all, or most, of these criteria. Additionally, an individual should make sure that the facilities they are considering offer treatment for the specific substances of their addiction.
Financing and location
Location is something a patient must consider when choosing a rehabilitation center. Some centers close to home might be beneficial for those with strong ties to family and friends. These ties also work against an addict by providing access to previously used dealers, drug houses, and friends who are also addicts. A patient should carefully consider these factors when choosing a location. Triggering events or people are also a factor in this.
Location is an important factor to consider.
There may not be treatment centers close to the person in need of treatment. In which case a treatment facility that the most beneficial is best. Each location also offers a variety of support services for a patient to consider. Support services are:
- counseling,
- possible transitional housing,
- financial assistance, and
- transportation.
Several factors influence substance abuse treatment costs. These factors are health insurance, the needs of the patient, the intensity of the treatment, the location, and the facility itself. Financing keeps some individuals from seeking the correct treatment facility but organizations that supply financial aid are available. Here is a list of things to do when seeking payment assistance options for addiction treatment:
- Check with the patient’s health insurance company. The insurance company can provide information on what treatment programs are covered, and what the out-of-pocket expenses are, including deductibles and co-payments.
- Check with the individual’s employer. Many employers offer substance abuse assistance programs that may help pay for treatment.
- Call local community health centers, mental health clinics, and hospitals. These organizations often offer financial assistance for substance abuse recovery programs or can direct the patient to federal, state, and local programs.
- Look for treatment programs that offer reduced or income based payment options.
It is important to remember that there are many financial assistance options available, and financial problems should never stop someone from seeking treatment of drug or alcohol addiction.
Where to look for treatment centers
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has listings for several certified drug and alcohol treatment facilities. To access this information a patient can check the SAMHSA’s Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator or use one of the SAMHSA’s referral help line at:
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
1-800-662-9832 (Español)
1-800-228-0427 (TDD)
Most states also have substance abuse treatment centers for patients with financial issues. States often have a list of facility locations, services, and accreditations. It is also possible to ask a doctor or therapist about programs they recommend.
To find the best residential centers for addiction treatment, a person should consider whether their needs and the facilities treatment options match as well the location and financial options offered. The most important thing to remember when seeking addiction treatment is that there are options available to everyone. Recovery from addiction is never easy, but treatment greatly improves the odds of success.