If you are wondering where to start in your search for a treatment program, you have come to the right place. Our caring & certified counselors have years of experience in the field of addiction, and they understand how challenging this process can be. When you call one of our professionals, they can guide through it all and ensure that you find treatment that will be right for you or your loved one.
List of Different Substance Use Treatment Services in the District of Columbia
Below is a list of the different drug rehab centers in District of Columbia. Each listing provides information on the types of services provided and the payment options available. You can also find accreditations and certifications to help you determine if the rehab center is trusted and has the expertise you are looking for. The list can be incomplete so please do not hesitate to contact a treatment specialist at 1-800-304-2219.
Commitment to Quality
Addicted.org's team of addiction professionals has over 100 years of combined experience in the field of substance use and addiction recovery. They use this experience when assessing each service listed in our directory. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any of the listings in our directory, you can contact the team directly at Communications@addicted.org. We will utilize your feedback to make any necessary updates to our list of services.
DC Long-Term Rehab
At Addicted.Org, we believe that long-term treatment is the ideal option when someone wishes to fully recover from their addiction – here are a few reasons why:
- Treatment can last anywhere from one to six months, depending on the individual needs of each client.
- Because of the length of treatment, various treatment methodologies can be incorporated.
- With all this time spent at the facility, the person has ample time to look inward, identify and address the root causes for their addiction.
- Better aftercare support can be provided to the individual, ensuring that they have all the tools needed to maintain their sobriety.
Getting Help With Substance Use: The Basics
Finding and Starting Drug Rehab
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- Outpatient – Ranges from 4-12 weeks, with a couple of hours each day spent receiving care. The length of time in outpatient depends on the needs of the client.
- Detox – 1-2 weeks depending on the type and amount of substances the client is using.
- Short-term inpatient – 28 days is the standard length of treatment for most short-term programs
- Long-term Residential– The length of these programs usually ranges from 8-12 weeks. Still, it can go upwards to a year or even longer in some cases.
While it may seem that your loved one does not want help, there are ways to convince them to get treatment. Medical professionals and certified interventionists are trained in helping people realize they need to go to rehab. Enlisting their help can make a difference in someone gaining sobriety.
- Understand the risk associated with coming off your drug of choice. Stopping alcohol, benzos, or opiates requires medical supervision, so consult a medical professional before completely stopping your substance use.
- Check-in regularly with the rehab center and ensure you follow their guidelines to stay on the waiting list. Some centers require you to check in daily to remain on the list.
- Understand that the wait time you are told is generally a worst-case scenario. Beds can open faster than expected, and you can sometimes get in sooner than you were initially told.
- Consider getting on multiple waiting lists to better your chances of getting into treatment faster.
- Utilize the time to your advantage. Examples of this are planning with your employer, handling your living situation, or settling any financial obligations. Taking the time to manage responsibilities before entering treatment ensures you will stay focused on your recovery and have less attention on things outside of treatment.
- Call the help number on the back of your insurance card. It will connect you to someone who can go over your coverage options for drug and alcohol rehab.
- Give your insurance information to the center you are interested in attending. They can check how much coverage you will receive.
It is important to understand that just because you have coverage does not guarantee your claim will be approved. The person attending rehab must be deemed to have a medical necessity for treatment. If this is not established, then it’s possible insurance will not pay. During the admissions process, it is vital to ask the intake counselor how the facility handles a patient who does not meet medical necessity.
- Contact the treatment center aftercare services or graduate helpline. Discuss the circumstances of the relapse.
- Consider attending a 12-step meeting or support group.
- Outpatient programs provide excellent aftercare support.
- If relapses occur frequently, it would be time to return to a residential program.
The reality of recovery is relapse happens. Yet, how an individual handles the relapse determines the outcome. Keep pushing forward, reach out to other sober people, be grateful, and focus on the positive.
Addicted.org's Evaluation of the District of Columbia
After reviewing the information and statistics available for drug and alcohol treatment in the District of Columbia, addicted.org has created the following list of pros and cons:
Pros
- The District of Columbia has one of the best expanded Medicaid programs in the country, giving the state the lowest uninsured rate in the country amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Most of the substance use treatment facilities in the District of Columbia accept Medicaid for payment.
- The area is relatively small and densely populated, meaning residents don’t need to travel a long distance to get help.
Cons
- There are only 26 drug and alcohol treatment options in the District of Columbia.
- Only six of those programs offer detox services to help patients get off drugs that cause physical dependence. With opioid addiction continuing to surge, this low number limits accessibility to only six facilities for those who need detox.
In our professional opinion, the District of Columbia provides affordable options for addiction treatment to residents. But improvements to accessibility need to be made by providing more treatment options, particularly for detox.
Additional Substance Use Resources
State and Local Resources in Washington DC
Washington DC Department of Behavioral Health
- The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) certifies a network of community-based providers to provide substance use disorder (SUD) services, including detoxification and residential and outpatient services based on individual needs.
Washington DC Department of Behavioral Health
- Prevention Services focuses on deterring the onset of first use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) among youth and reducing substance abuse risk factors for adolescents, families, and communities.
What's Next?
After attending long-term drug rehab in the District of Columbia, it is crucial to receive aftercare to maintain sobriety and reinforce what you learned during treatment. Inpatient drug rehab is effective, but it takes place in a sheltered environment where there is always support. As individuals transition back into their lives after rehab, some stressors and responsibilities may be difficult to deal with. Outpatient aftercare programs, sober living facilities, and other support services are available in DC to make your transition easier.
