Entering Rehab
Entering a rehab or treatment center for substance abuse is a big step, one that takes incredible courage and strength of character. Whether it’s you or your loved one that has been struggling, you’re likely feeling scared, overwhelmed, and extremely unsure about what the future holds. The unknown can be frightening - and no one knows that better than you.
First of all, recognize that your emotions are normal. They’re fine! You’re feeling exactly the same way so, so many others have felt when they stood in your shoes, standing on the border of their past life and the possibilities ahead of them. You’re feeling just the way you should be feeling.
After you remind yourself that you’re normal, tell yourself: Everything will be okay. Thousands upon thousands of people have battled addiction and emerged victorious, going on to live rich, fulfilling, and meaningful lives. With faith and a lot of elbow grease, things are only going to get better from here on. Today is day one!
If you’re looking for rehab, we’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to help you get started.
Let’s dive in!
First Steps
You may be wondering: How do I even begin to find the right rehab? Where do I turn? Understandably, you’ll want to research your options and try to find the treatment center that best meets your specific needs. Here are the first steps you’ll want to take:
- Assess your situation.
Try to honestly evaluate the severity and risk level of your addiction. Do you pose a risk to yourself or others? Are you currently under the influence of alcohol or drugs? If yes, you may need medical detoxification and inpatient treatment services. - Determine the level of care you need.
Now that you’ve evaluated your situation, use your judgment to decide which level of care you feel you will need in order to stay safe and become sober. The levels of care include detoxification, residential/ inpatient treatment, Partial Hospitalization, Intensive Outpatient treatment, and general outpatient treatment/ extended care. If you’re unsure which level of care is right for you, consult an addiction professional who can assess your situation and advise you.
** Most legitimate treatment centers have skilled admissions representatives manning their phone lines, and they will perform a brief and complimentary phone screen to anyone who calls in. - Find a treatment facility.
Now that you’ve determined the level of care you need, it’s time to find a treatment center. There are a few ways to go about this:- Consult with a mental health professional - Most mental health professionals will have access to a wide network of quality addiction treatment providers, and will be able to refer you to a facility that meets your specific needs.
- Use a mental health hotline/ website – There are some very useful government hotlines and treatment locators that can help you find quality addiction treatment services.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a 24/7 confidential phone line in both English and Spanish, that can link you with addiction treatment and other recovery resources. Their number is 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
- gov is a government-run treatment locator that lists all licensed and accredited addiction treatment providers in the country. You can filter your search by location to find a treatment center near you.
- Shatterproof Treatment Atlas is another treatment locator run by the nonprofit organization Shatterproof, which lists all legitimate addiction treatment centers in America. You can search by location or a specific facility name.
- Search the internet -Although this method is somewhat risky, you can try surfing the web to find a suitable treatment center. Some helpful online rehab directories include: When choosing this route, it’s extremely important to do your due diligence and research your options thoroughly before enrolling in a program. The internet can be a dangerous and lawless place, and you don’t want to be one of the unfortunate victims of the scammers and fraudsters out there.
- Plan for while you’re gone.
Once you’ve found a suitable rehab program, you’ll need to make arrangements for while you’re gone. The average length of addiction treatment programs is 30 days, so you want to make sure that all of your responsibilities can wait one month for you.
Common responsibilities include:- Employment – If you have a job, make sure that your employer is okay with you taking a month-long leave. Make arrangements so that all of your urgent work obligations will be addressed by someone while you are out.
- Children – Children are one of the most common barriers to treatment. If you have children beneath your care, explore your childcare options for the month. Parents, siblings, or friends are a good place to start.
- Pets – If you own a pet, you will want to arrange proper care for it during your rehab stay. If family or friends are unable to take in your pet, some kennels/ pet shelters may be willing.
- School – If you’re enrolled in grade school or pursuing a degree, make sure to inform the appropriate people of your upcoming absence and distribute your workload as needed.
As with everything, communication is key. Anyone in your life who cares about you will be overjoyed that you’re doing something to care for yourself and your mental health, and they’ll likely be glad to do whatever it takes to make your rehab stay possible. Just reach out and let them know of your plans!
Importance of Choosing an Established Rehab Center
When researching your options, you’ll notice that there are a million and one treatment centers out there. There has been a recent influx of addiction treatment providers flooding the market – and not all of them have your best interests in mind. The chance to make an easy buck off of insurance companies’ bloated bank accounts has sadly attracted many fakes and frauds to the recovery field.
Marvin Ventrell, CEO of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, (NAATP) shares, “The ethics piece is really important, because as treatment centers have boomed, there are some charlatans out there. They’re not the majority, but they are out there.” It’s therefore really important to do your homework when choosing a rehab center to make sure you receive the quality treatment you deserve.
Some red flags to look out for when researching your options are:
- Rehab centers that boast “100% Success Rate”, or promise to “cure” your addiction. Addiction is an illness that cannot be cured, but effectively managed through quality treatment and lifetime support. A treatment center that promises to “cure” you is either uneducated or lying.
- Ads for treatment centers that emphasize the amenities and creature comforts available there. These amenities serve no therapeutic purpose in and of themselves, and often rack up treatment costs to exorbitant amounts.
- A representative that seems pushy or overly eager to get you into treatment. They may be “patient brokers' ' - unscrupulous people who receive a commission for each body they deliver to a rehab. These brokers operate solely for financial gain and never have the patient’s needs or best interests in mind. If it feels like a high-pressure sell – something’s wrong.
- If the representative doesn’t bother to ask any important questions. A legitimate treatment center will always ask about the severity and history of your use, any physical or mental health conditions you might have, and whether you have the necessary resources to manage your life (i.e. food, clothing, shelter, transportation etc.). If these basic things aren’t being considered, then that’s a sign that something is off.
- Destination rehabs - Some rehabs may promise to offer treatment in your area, but their closest treatment center is actually in Florida or California. The idea that one must travel to a ‘destination rehab” in order to get well is a big misconception. Oftentimes, simple yet comfortable treatment centers that offer quality addiction treatment and therapies will be most effective in the long run. “The things that tend to have glamor around them tend to be things that don’t have an evidence base around them,” says Paul Earley, MD, DFASAM.
Some practical tips: Look for a treatment center that has been around for at least a few years, and is licensed and accredited by a national body. Check out their site and the services they offer. Google reviews are another reliable way to check the rating of a treatment center, since they can’t be purchased or forged. And the best way to find out more about a facility? Call up and ask!
Questions to Ask a Treatment Center
Below is a list of important questions to ask when researching any rehab center:
- Are you licensed and accredited?
Any reputable treatment center should be licensed to provide addiction treatment, and also have accreditation from an external organization that ensures its staff meet certain care and performance standards. - What evidence-based therapies do you provide?
Evidence-based therapies are scientifically proven treatments for addiction. These include:- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Twelve – Step Facilitation
- Medication – Assisted Therapy (also called MAT)
A trustworthy rehab facility will use evidence-based therapies like these in their treatment plan.
- Do you have special tracks or programs to meet my specific needs?Ask about any specific medical, emotional, and/ or mental needs you might have, and how they are prepared to meet that need.
- What forms of payment do you accept?
Find out what forms of payment this rehab center accepts. Whether you have private, government, or military insurance, or want to pay out of pocket, find out if it works at this treatment center. - What is the Staff to Patient Ratio?
Ask how many staff members there are in the facility in relation to clients. Low staff-to-patient ratio is important in order for treatment to be targeted and effective. - What is the treatment length at this facility?
Find out the average length of stay at the facility you’re considering, and make sure you can clear your calendar for the necessary amount of time.
Aside from this, ask any question at all that you may have been unsure about! A legitimate rehab facility will be able to answer all of your questions to your satisfaction, and will give you all of the information you need to make an informed and wise decision.
Things to Look for in a Treatment Center
Entering treatment can be confusing as well as overwhelming. There are so many options out there, and every single one touts themselves as the answer to all of your problems… How to know who’s honest and true, and whose program will be right for you?
Below is a helpful checklist of items to look for when searching for a rehab center:
- Accreditation and Licensing – Reputable rehab centers will be accredited by either The Joint Commission (TJC) or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities (CARF).
- Experience – The longer a treatment center has been around, the more time they’ve had to perfect their methods and create a truly effective treatment program.
- Staff Credentials – Make sure that staff employed by the facility are licensed to practice in their roles. Addiction-specific credentials include a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC), and Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Counselor (CCDC).
- Multidisciplinary Treatment Team – Truly effective addiction treatment needs a multidisciplinary care team who are trained to treat all aspects of addiction – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Make sure the rehab you’re attending has a mix of professionals in the following roles:
- Medical doctor
- Registered nurse
- Chemical dependency counselor
- Licensed social worker
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Holistic wellness specialist
- Evidence-based Practices – Evidence-based practices are therapies that are scientifically developed and proven to work, so you’ll want to make sure the rehab you’re attending uses treatments like these.
- Mental Health Care – Most people who struggle with addiction have a co-occurring mental health condition like anxiety or depression (which likely led to their substance use or developed because of it. You’ll want to make sure that the rehab you’re attending is equipped to diagnose and treat any mental health conditions you might have.
- Medical Care – Addiction takes a real toll on the body as well as the mind, so make sure your treatment center has the staff and equipment necessary to support you on your recovery journey. (This would include medically supervised detox and medication-assisted therapies/ MAT.)
- Insurances Accepted – Substance abuse treatment can be extremely expensive, so make sure to look for treatment centers that are in-network with your insurance. If in doubt, you can always check with your insurance provider.
- Medication-Assisted Therapies – There are medications used by addiction treatment providers that can ease withdrawal symptoms during detox and reduce substance craving. If you think you can benefit from MAT, check that the facility you are entering offers this option.
- Post-Treatment Support – Continued support and mental health care, even after treatment ends, is the most critical ingredient for long-term sobriety. Make sure that the program you’re attending offers continued coaching and accountability for their alumni.
- Family Support - Addiction impacts the entire family unit, not just the addict themselves. You may want to look for treatment centers that offer family therapy groups, because they help the family process their pain and trauma and rebuild healthy relationships.
If you or a loved one are struggling with a substance addiction, or considering rehab and are not sure where to start, Avenues Recovery Center is here for you! Reach out 24/7 to speak to a skilled and friendly treatment specialist who can answer any of your questions and guide you to the treatment center that’s best for you.
Remember: There’s always help, and there’s always hope! You can begin your journey home today – all it takes is one phone call.