6 Questions to Ask Prospective Inpatient Treatment Centers

Inpatient drug and/or alcohol rehab can be the key to breaking your addiction and beginning a long-lasting recovery. But, the process of researching programs can be back-breaking. This is made even worse when you are still struggling with substance abuse. How can you manage day-to-day life, your substance use disorder, and research?

If you need help, the following questions are good to ask. You can also get help answering these questions from the experts at InpatientDrugRehabCenters.com. By calling 800-430-1407Who Answers?, you will be connected to a person who can answer questions, link you to resources, and direct you to a qualified inpatient rehab center.

Question #1: Can I Afford This?

Cost is often something that keeps people out of rehab, not because it is too expensive but because people believe it is. Don’t worry. You may be able to depend upon your insurance to cover the cost of inpatient care. If not, many programs offer financing or take cash or credit cards.

You may also be eligible for state- or faith-funded care. Be sure to check into every option until you find one that allows you to finance your inpatient rehab. Don’t give up; there is a program out there that will work for your pocketbook.

Question #2: Is the Inpatient Facility Licensed or Accredited?

Ask each prospective rehab what their staff-to-patient ratio is.

To get the best treatment, programs should be part of a governing body that promotes the most current methods of treatment. Otherwise, treatment centers may be woefully out of date or simply operating by the seat of their pants. Examples of accreditation organizations include the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the All-States, and The Joint Commission.

Many programs choose to be licensed instead or in addition to being accredited. Licensing is typically done by the state and requirements may vary greatly. However, multiple insurance providers, including Medicare, require treatment take place at a licensed or accredited facility. So, in addition to guaranteeing a high quality of treatment, licensing and accreditation can also affect cost of treatment.

Question #3: Are the Staff Licensed and Credentialed?

There are state and nationally recognized standards for professional practice; licenses and credentials are examples that the treatment facility meets these guidelines. Keep an eye out for:

• LADC: licensed alcohol and drug counselor
• LPC: licensed professional counselor
• CAC: certified addictions counselor
• CCDP: co-occurring disorders counselor
• LPN: licensed practical nurse
• LVN: licensed vocational nurse
• RN: registered nurse
• APRN: advanced practice registered nurse
• CRNP: certified nurse practitioner

In addition, look for licensed doctors and psychiatrists. By hiring qualified professionals, your inpatient program is demonstrating their investment in your care and continued recovery.

Question #4: What Is the Staff-to-Patient Ratio?

When you seek inpatient care, you need to look for a program that will enable you to have the personalized care and attention you require. Centers with more staff members per patient mean that each member of the staff has fewer patients to deal with, and this will guarantee you get more attention.

10 Questions you Need to Ask to Find the Right Inpatient Treatment Center for You

Question #5: Are Special Programs Offered for Specific Groups?

Your rehab experience may be more successful if the program provides care specifically to a group you are a member of. For example, there are male- and female-only centers and this makes sense because men and women experience addiction differently. There are also centers that have programs specifically for people of a faith group.

Another consideration may be age; many adolescents fare better in teen programs, and many adults feel more comfortable in adult-only programs.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse asserts each therapeutic community can be adapted to address individual patients with “special needs, including adolescents, women, homeless individuals, people with severe mental disorders, and individuals in the criminal justice system.”

Question #6: Will You Be Offered an Individualized Program?

As the National Institute on Drug Abuse makes clear, treatment should vary based on the individual addict and the type of drug being used. Matching treatment to each client’s specific needs and problems, is significant to the patient’s eventual success returning to fruitful functioning in society, as well as the family and workplace.

If you aren’t given individual treatment, you will have generalized care and that isn’t as successful because no single treatment works for every addict.

These aren’t all of the questions that you should ask, but they represent a good start to your research. As you research, new questions will develop. Be sure to look into those as well. If you are feeling overwhelmed, call us at 800-430-1407Who Answers? and ask us your questions. We are happy to help.