What to Look for in a Rehab Center

What to Look for in a Rehab Center

Coming to terms with the fact that you need help to recover from your substance abuse problem is not an easy admission to make. Once you accept that you do need help, you’re faced with the challenge of finding the right facility for your recovery. In choosing a treatment facility to help you, it’s essential to examine the policies, services, and amenities available to determine which choice is best for you.

Set Your Recovery Goals

Before you begin looking at treatment facilities, it’s important to know what you want in a treatment plan. Think of it like buying a new vehicle. Before you start browsing lots, you’ll decide whether you want a compact car, SUV, or something different. In the same way, you should think about what goals you want for yourself, because this will help you determine which facilities will benefit you the most.

For instance, the type of addiction you’re struggling with will help you select potential treatment centers. Some only deal with alcoholism, while others focus on opioid addiction and others offer support for both. Knowing what type of help you’ll need will help you narrow down your choices.

Next, you’re ready to start examining your goals. Do you just want to make it through the first six months, or do you want to participate in a treatment program that focuses more on long-term goals? This is another factor that will help you make a better choice.

Do You Need Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment?

Your next big decision is to choose between inpatient or outpatient treatment plans. How you decide between these options will depend on a number of factors, including your particular type of substance abuse and the severity of your use. For instance, if you have been struggling with alcoholism for several years and you have difficulty abstaining even for a short period, outpatient services might not be right for you.

Another factor to consider is the type of treatment you need. A more severe, long-term substance abuse problem may require a professionally monitored detox. This is a service that helps you get clean or sober before you begin the actual treatment plan. Many facilities offer detox services in addition to substance abuse treatment programs, so the client can move through the recovery process more seamlessly.

While outpatient plans allow clients more freedom, they usually take longer to complete. Additionally, inpatient plans have a better track record for successful and sustained recovery. However, the choice will ultimately be up to you and will depend on your specific circumstances.

Your Intake Evaluation

Once you have chosen a facility, you’ll attend an intake evaluation, which will explain the rules and procedures in the facility. The intake coordinator will also explain what you’re permitted to bring into the facility and will provide you with other essentials you may need to participate in daily activities.

Additionally, this is the time to evaluate your condition, so your needs can be met with customized services. First, this will involve answering questions about your substance abuse problems. The counselor isn’t there to judge you, or to try to get you into trouble. The counselor simply needs accurate information, so he or she can provide you with the help you need.
Secondly, you’ll undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The reason for this is that many people struggling with substance abuse are also struggling with mental illness. In some cases, substance abuse problems are the result of an unconscious attempt to self-medicate. In other instances, the substance abuse caused mental illness, creating a devastating cycle of dependency and emotional problems.

However, these co-occurring conditions developed, discovering the underlying mental illness will result in more effective treatment. Substance abuse research has found that relapses are less common in cases where the mental illness was treated simultaneously. This ensures the client won’t feel the need to self-medicate again upon his or her release.

Consider the Amenities

While most of your day in an inpatient treatment facility will be spent in group meetings and one on one therapy sessions, you’ll also have some time to yourself. Rather than spend this time idly, it helps if the facility offers a variety of amenities. Typically, these may consist of equipment and training that teach you methods for coping naturally with stress. By implementing new activities into your daily routine, you can deal with stress and other substance abuse triggers in healthier ways.

Some amenities to look for may include:

• Gym and fitness equipment
• Yoga classes
• Meditation courses
• Spiritual counseling
• Nature hikes
• Swimming pool and sauna

Be Wary of Guarantees or Promises

Any treatment facility that promises to “cure” your substance abuse problem should be eyed with suspicion. One of the first things you’ll learn is that addiction is a lifelong condition and that you’ll always be in recovery. Any facility guaranteeing to cure you is only telling you what you want to hear.

Similarly, stay away from facilities that promise easy or fast detox services. There’s a reason you need a medically supervised detox. Those struggling with severe substance abuse problems can’t quit on their own, because withdrawal symptoms are intense and can be life-threatening. Even in a supervised setting, where medication is used to manage those withdrawal symptoms, getting clean will be a long and difficult challenge.

This is why you should avoid the rapid detox plan. This is the process of sedating you until the caregiver believes the substances have been flushed out of your system. There’s no evidence this type of detox actually works, and many people relapse shortly after undergoing the procedure. Additionally, rapid detox increases the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts, sepsis, and heart attacks. In some cases, death may result from the treatment.

There are no shortcuts to recovering from your substance abuse problems. If there were, you wouldn’t see such a big problem with substance abuse throughout the country. Once you accept that your recovery is going to take time, patience, and your dedication, you can begin a life-changing journey. The time you invest in your recovery at a quality treatment facility will be a worthwhile experience for you.

If you’re ready to start a new chapter in your life, you can begin your recovery by contacting St. John’s Recovery Place. Their experienced and compassionate admissions staff will answer your questions and walk you through the admissions process.