If you are looking for a substance abuse treatment center for a loved one, how do you make a decision? Depending on where you live, there are probably several options in your state. To develop a “short list” for more serious evaluation, you need to so some homework.
Make a List of Questions to Ask
The first step when choosing a drug and alcohol treatment facility should be to make a list of questions or factors that are important to you. When you contact the facilities you are interested in, ask each one the same questions. You can also use your list when reviewing the facility’s website to make note of answers.
For example, you might ask these questions:
Do you offer detoxification as well as addiction treatment?
Some substance abuse treatment facilities do offer detoxification (detox) to clients in-house, while others start their work with clients who have already been through detox. Detox is the process by which a client stops using drugs and alcohol and the body frees itself from the influence of chemicals. Ask whether in-house detox is medically supervised and what measures are used to keep clients comfortable. For treatment centers that don’t offer detox, inquire about nearby detox facilities.
Can you offer the type of treatment my loved one needs?
Each person seeking addiction treatment has their own needs and treatment goals. This is not a disease that responds to a “one size fits all” type of approach. When reviewing your options, consider whether your loved one needs a treatment center that offers specific programs for clients living with a mental illness, eating disorders, or who work in the health care or legal industries. Some clients prefer to go to treatment facilities that provide care from a Christian point of view, medically-assisted recovery or that focus on a specific type of substance abuse (prescription drugs, opiates, alcohol).
What type of treatment techniques do you use in your program?
This is your opportunity to discover whether the program includes one-on-one counseling sessions, as well as group therapy. Each type of therapy has its benefits for participants, and they are an important part of clients’ healing process.
Participating in activities that allow clients to be creative, increase their physical fitness and relieve stress is also important; it gives them necessary breaks from doing the mentally and emotionally challenging work of recovery.
Is a family program available?
Over time, addiction treatment professionals have realized that this disease affects the entire family. It destroys relationships within the family. By the time a family member who has a history of substance abuse seeks help, the family has long been dealing with missed promises, lies and being let down. Often, even when a loved one seeks treatment for their addiction, family members find it difficult to develop trust.
Family counseling helps the addicted person’s family to understand the disease. The family members may feel as though they did something to cause it or didn’t do enough to stop the addiction from occurring. These feelings can be explored in family therapy.
How does your program address relapse prevention for your clients?
Since addiction is a chronic illness, the possibility that someone in recovery may have a relapse is a possibility. The best defense against a possible relapse is to prepare for it in advance. When clients can develop tools to cope with feelings and situations that may tempt them to either use or drink after they leave treatment, the risk of a relapse is reduced.
What type of aftercare is available to your clients?
Clients who have completed a course of treatment at a substance abuse center still need ongoing help and support once they leave the residential facility. This support may include moving into a sober living house or a referral for ongoing counseling.
Is your treatment facility a member of any professional associations?
Substance abuse treatment centers that belong to state or nationwide professional associations have demonstrated high industry standards by offering a high level of service in a safe, secure environment.
English Mountain Recovery for Residential Inpatient Treatment
English Mountain Recovery offers individualized treatment plans to its clients that include a variety of activities. Treatment plans include making arrangements for aftercare. The facility is a member of several professional organizations. Please feel free to contact us today if you or a loved one has questions about addiction treatment.
By Jodee Redmond
