Top 5 Things to Look for in a Drug Treatment Center

Professional help from a drug treatment center can speed things along during recovery. The medications used in medication-assisted treatment manage withdrawal symptoms and curb cravings. Most treatment programs also help substance abusers identify triggers and build better habits. They learn how to avoid temptations and lead a healthier lifestyle. This might involve staying away from specific settings and people.

Drug rehabs can help deal with a wide range of addictions, from prescription drugs to illicit drugs. There are also varying levels of intensities for all treatment programs. It’s difficult to figure out what it is that you need.

The entire process can be very overwhelming. So much so that not all addicts seek professional help. In 2013, 22.7 million Americans had a substance use disorder. However, only 2.5 million Americans managed to reach out for help from addiction treatment centers. Some felt overwhelmed by the many options. Others were sure whether they could afford professional treatment.

If you’re on the market for a drug treatment center, here are some of the top 5 features that you should look for. Knowing what to look for is vital to a successful recovery. You need to be in a comfortable environment with the right type of amenities for your situation.

All addiction treatment centers offer programs with varying levels of care. Some programs have a higher intensity of care. They will provide around-the-clock supervision. Others are less intrusive. Patients can go about their daily lives without much interference. When choosing a recovery center, make sure you find one with a level of care that works for you. You need to consider the severity of your drug addiction, as well as the amount of help you need. Those who are new to dealing with addictions may need more help than an addict who has relapsed. It also depends on how dangerous the withdrawal symptoms for the addiction may be. Some addictions can be deadly. In these situations, it’s wise to get as much help as possible for a safe recovery. The most popular options include outpatient treatment programs and inpatient treatment programs, or residential programs. Both inpatient and outpatient programs offer distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

Outpatient treatment programs do not require patients to stay at the addiction recovery center. Patients are free to go about their daily lives. They only need to go to the center several times a week to either get prescription for detox programs or attend counseling and therapy. There are varying levels of care of outpatient treatment programs. Intensive outpatient programs are programs that offer at least 9 treatment hours a week. Some programs may require patients to attend as many as 30 treatment hours a week. It all depends on the recovery center. With that said, outpatient treatment programs are most suitable for patients who lead busy lives. They may have responsibilities from home or may not be able to get time off of work. In general, substance abusers who choose this treatment option should have a mild to moderate addiction. It should also not be their first rodeo in dealing with addiction.

Residential Treatment Programs

With residential treatment programs, patients stay at the rehab center. They receive around-the-clock supervision or a higher level of care. They can access the resources and amenities provided by the treatment center at any time.

Inpatient treatment programs offer higher success rates. Patients can easily talk to others when they feel like relapsing. They can also connect with other patients who are in the same boat. Being able to share these difficult moments with others may be the key to a successful recovery.

Those who choose a residential treatment program are often dealing with a moderate to severe addiction. It may be their first time getting professional help.

2. Different Payment Options

Substance abuse treatment can be pricey. Often, many substance abusers are hesitant to seek drug and alcohol treatment because they’re not sure whether they can afford it.

When looking for a drug rehab center, consider whether it accepts your health insurance. Usually, most addiction treatment centers will accept all major insurances. Those who have private health insurance may have a different level of health care coverage.

To see whether you are covered, contact a counselor from the drug rehab center to verify insurance information. Not only will the staff check your coverage, but they’ll also fill in the paperwork for you, so you don’t have to. This way, you can focus on recovery instead of the logistics. You’ll get the help you need without all the stress.

If you do not have health insurance, you may be covered by federal or state-funded programs. Different states offer health treatments for various drug addiction treatment programs. Some insurance providers may only cover outpatient treatments, whereas others will also cover inpatient treatments. Some have specific requirements that must be met.

If you’re paying out of your own pocket, look at the various payment options available. Find a treatment facility that can offer affordable care. There’s no harm in speaking with the rehab center to see if you can work out a payment plan with them. Some rehab treatments can be broken down into several payments. These payment plans put less of a financial strain on drug abusers. Less stress is better for one’s mental health while dealing with addiction.

3. The Length of the Treatment Programs

The longer, the better. When looking for addiction recovery programs for drugs and alcohol, you want to look for a longer treatment length. Studies have shown that a treatment length of at least 90 days will yield better results. Patients are much more likely to reach sobriety and stay clean.

The brain will start to reset itself after 30 days. If substance abusers can refrain from using any illicit drugs or alcohol during this time, they are much more likely to get sober. Their brain chemistry begins to return to normal levels, so they are less likely to experience cravings.

Longer treatment programs also instill better habits among addicts. There is a higher relapse rate among patients who chose shorter treatment lengths. While the higher relapse rate could be due to an array of reasons, it could also be because these patients have not yet turned the skills they’ve learned into habits.

4. The Types of Treatments Offered

Depending on the type of addiction that you are battling with, different types of treatment and therapies are highly recommended. Some addictions are deadlier than others and need a higher level of attention and care.

For example, alcohol addiction can turn deadly quickly. Delirium tremens and seizures are often challenging to overcome. They can also become quite severe within a short amount of time.

When choosing a treatment facility, consider the type of medications and therapies they offer. Some facilities provide more options than others. Knowing the kind of drugs that will work best for your situation is key to making the right decision.

Do your own research and talk with several healthcare providers. Consider the pros and cons of different therapies and medications.

How to Choose the Right Types of Medications

Learning about the medications is already half the battle. Medicines used in alcohol rehab or drug rehab helps to manage symptoms and curb cravings. The types of drugs recommended will depend on:

• The kinds of withdrawal symptoms experienced or expected
• The severity of the withdrawal symptoms
• The types of drugs abused and the frequency of abuse
• The length of drug use, along with the severity of the addiction
• The patient’s biological makeup and response to the medicines
• The type of coverage provided by the patient’s insurance provider
• The patient’s expectations and lifestyle needs

Some patients should consider how long they will need to take the medications for. They may also want to figure out whether the medications have an addictive potential as well.

For example, while methadone is a useful treatment option for dealing with either an opioid or alcohol addiction, it is addictive. Some patients do develop a secondary addiction to it. They also need to be slowly weaned off of the drug.

In comparison, those who are more interested in outpatient programs should consider Vivitrol injections. This medication involves a monthly dose, and that’s it. It’s also non-addictive and not a narcotic. It is impossible for patients to develop a dependence or tolerance to the drug.

The Different Types of Therapies

Medication-assisted treatment is not the only factor that may influence the success rate of a rehab treatment program. The type of therapies that are chosen and practiced may also have a considerable influence.

The treatment facility should offer multiple drug and alcohol rehab therapies. Patients should have the opportunity to try several different types to find ones that suit their needs. Some patients just respond better to certain medications. Find rehab centers that allow patients to choose from many different options. Some of the more popular ones include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Family Counseling
• One-on-one counseling
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Some therapies are better for certain patients than others. For example, EMDR is best suited for patients who are dealing with both an addiction and trauma. The addiction may stem from trauma, so it’s important to deal with the negative emotions involved with this mental illness concurrently.   

5. How Comfortable and Serene the Treatment Facility May Be

Another essential factor to consider is how comfortable the facility is. Patients who feel more at ease are more likely to succeed. The goal is to choose a facility that is peaceful and calm. This type of environment and setting can help ease the inner turmoil and chaos often associated with addiction.

To make a decision, patients should first take a look at online tours that are available. These tours and photographs should help many patients narrow down their search. Consider how clean and comfortable the facilities look. Also, consider the type of amenities and features available.

For example, some recovery centers have swimming pools and jacuzzis. These amenities may make a world of a difference when staying at the treatment center. It can make it easier to fight a drug or alcohol addiction.

Once the search has been narrowed down, travel to the treatment facility. Getting an in-person look at the facility will help you choose the right rehab. When seeking a sober living facility, look for these factors:

• Clean amenities that are free of clutter and dust
• Bright rooms and living arrangements
• Beautiful views or sceneries that create a relaxing environment
• Friendly staff members who make the treatment facility feel welcoming
• Positive environment from other patients
• The availability of various supplemental services

If you’re interested in taking a look at what we have to offer, check out our facility. We offer semi-private rooms for our inpatient drug rehab program. 

Don’t hesitate to look online to see what other patients have through of the treatment facility. Take a look at which top rated facilities are highly recommended and why.

Reach Out for Drug Addiction Help

Dealing with a drug addiction by yourself cannot be easy. Many addicts often relapse. There are far too many distractions in their daily lives. Instead of dealing with a drug addiction alone, get drug addiction help from Amethyst Recovery.

Our staff are recovering addicts, and know what’s it like to struggle with an addiction. They’re more than happy to give you a shoulder to lean on during your recovery. They can also help guide you past some of the more difficult times. It’s much easier to reach sobriety with a mentor.

Our facility offers a wide range of addiction treatment options. We provide both outpatient treatment and inpatient treatment services, as well as medical detox. Speak to one of our counselors to get more information on the type of services that we can offer. We can guide you towards the right addiction resources that are in your area.