When starting the search for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, you must be prepared. The initial steps to finding a treatment center begin with sharing information and asking questions. The facility will want to know as much as possible about the person seeking treatment to understand how they can best help them. At the same time, the individual and their family will be asking questions to ensure the rehabilitation center is a good fit for themselves or their loved ones.
This first step is critical and requires complete transparency. If you leave out details purposely or unknowingly, it could affect an individual’s eligibility to enter certain facilities. For example, some facilities cannot take individuals with pending legal charges or do not have the level of care to manage pregnant patients. It is vital to remember that getting information is as crucial as giving it.
Questions You Will Be Asked
What is your alcohol and another drug history?
Knowing this helps the facility understand what drugs are used to determine the appropriate level of care.
What is the addict's medical history?
Centers need to gather information about any current medical problems to ensure they can provide an adequate level of care.
What is currently happening in the addict's life?
Most facilities will want to know what is happening in their lives. Are they working, unemployed, or going to school? Are they pregnant, or do they have children? Are they married, divorced, or single? All this information helps the center establish potential barriers to treatment and the current support system.
Have there been previous treatment attempts?
Knowing if an individual has gone through detox or drug rehab, attended 12-step meetings, or received any formal counseling can give the rehab center an idea of what the individual responds to. Knowing that their past treatment was somewhat unsuccessful can help the center plan accordingly.
Is there any Psychological History?
Certain mental health diagnoses or behavioral conditions could affect treatment. Patients with suicidal ideations or past suicide attempts may need a higher level of care.
What are the person's goals and motivation?
Patients are asked about their reason for entering treatment, including any events that motivated them to seek help. Some treatment facilities require a willingness is get better to attend.
Questions You Should Ask
Is there a waiting list?
When someone wants help, sometimes making them wait can lead to unwillingness and frustration. Make sure you get a clear idea of how long it will take to get admitted. Always remember to contact multiple centers to have better odds of getting into treatment faster.
What is your success rate?
While success varies from individual to individual, if a center knows their success rate, it means they follow up with their clients and provide good aftercare. Be wary of centers making claims that are too good to be true.
What types of therapy are used?
Different modalities benefit different individuals, be sure to understand what the center offers to determine if it will be effective for you or your loved one.
Is detox included?
Sometimes detox is not part of the program but is required to attend treatment. Ensure you understand what is included so you can plan properly.
Is there group or individual counseling?
Yes, Almost all centers offer group counseling, but individual counseling allows clients to let their guard down, leading to significant breakthroughs. It is encouraged to find a center that works with the individual one-on-one.
Are there recreational activities?
Being away from home for an extended period can take its toll. Recreational activities can help someone take their mind off things and plays a big part in staying in treatment.
Is there is a spiritual component?
Some rehab centers rely heavily on faith and have religious undertones. If you or your loved one do not identify with these values, it may be difficult for you to benefit from this treatment modality.
What is the time commitment?
Time can play a big part in treatment success but can also be overwhelming for someone unsure about going. Make sure the treatment you choose is long enough to get the person proper help and keep them comfortable while they are there.
Is it a co-ed facility, men only, or women only?
Every individual has a different comfort level. Some men and women find attending a center that accommodates only men or women more comforting. For example, men are more likely to open up to other men during counseling.
Starting Your Search for Drug Rehabilitation
Before agreeing to send yourself or a loved one to a treatment center, you want to know everything you can about how the treatment works and establish if it is a good fit. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers understand that time is of the essence and that getting someone in fast is crucial, so admissions tend to move as fast as possible. One can easily forget to ask important questions that could hurt someone’s chances of completing the rehab process. For example, an individual not heavy into religion may not feel comfortable in a faith-based program. Also, co-ed rehabilitation might make it hard for some individuals to concentrate on treatment.
Getting and giving information goes a long way in getting someone into the right treatment facility. To help with this, we created a guide. Below is a list of questions that you should be prepared to answer and a list of questions you should ask a prospective rehabilitation center. Having this information ready ahead of time can make finding help much smoother.
Looking for more help?
The above questions should help start you off in the right direction when looking for treatment. If you are unsure about anything mentioned, feel free to reach out to one of our treatment specialists, or explore the different types of treatment.
