Drug and alcohol addiction are terrible conditions for one to ever go through. It’s like an epidemic where it’s prevalent across so many teenagers and adults globally. Many lives have been wrecked due to various forms of addiction, and it only gets worse if the person does not try to seek help. The same can happen to you or your loved ones if they aren’t given the proper addiction treatment program.
It’s important to know that drug and alcohol addiction doesn’t mean the end of someone’s life or that they’re a failure. There are many reasons why an individual can fall into such. While you may have lost control over the situation, you can fix the outcome and the future through a good treatment plan from facilities. There are many counseling and treatment centers that offer rehab and treatment programs for addiction, so it’s up to you to choose which could be the best for you or your loved one’s needs and preferences.
It’s stressful enough to deal with addiction, even if you’re not the one who is personally struggling with it. But whether it’s for you or your loved one’s benefit, one thing is for sure—you want the right treatment. Hence, this article will help you by giving you more tips on how to find the right addiction treatment plan or program:
1. Get A Proper Assessment By A Medical Professional
It may seem easy to determine if someone has substance addictions but you’re not a medical professional who can give a thorough assessment. So, before submitting yourself or a loved one to an addiction treatment facility, see a doctor first. Usually, this refers to a psychologist, counselor, or social worker certified in treating substance use disorders.
When you have a proper assessment by a medical professional, you can have extensive and detailed information to gear you towards the right type of treatment. For instance, not every addiction will necessitate in-house rehabilitation. You may still qualify for an outpatient treatment plan, so you can continue to go on with your daily life and usual schedule. Whatever your doctor prescribes you to do is always the best for you, so it pays to follow their recommendations.
2. Decide On What Your Goals And Needs Are
Every addiction treatment plan has its own strengths and weaknesses. A good way to narrow down your options is by deciding on what your goals and needs are. When you match those with what’s offered in an addiction treatment plan, you can be more certain that you’re choosing the best treatment plan for your needs.
Different treatments programs have their respective specialties to lead a person towards the path of sobriety. It’s important you choose a facility and program that’ll help you reach your specific goals.
Here’s how you can determine what your specific treatment program goals are:
- Assess whether there are any other underlying issues that led to the addiction, like depression, grief, or any other mental problem.
- Assess what success with sobriety means to the individual.
3. Ask For Recommendations And Referrals
Recommendations and referrals are a great way to get first-hand information on addiction treatment programs that have proven effective. You can ask for recommendations from your physician and even from family or friends whom you know may have also undergone addiction rehabilitation in the past. Their first-hand opinion matters a lot as they’ve gone through the same and successfully graduated from the addiction treatment programs. This is a good sign for you that you may also be going down the same road as well.
However, don’t rush this process. Take the time to listen to what your physician or friends have to say. Go into detail with each of your concerns and ask about the inclusions of the programs. That way, you can determine which one is best for you.
Having an inside look at what rehab clinics have to offer can give you information such as:
- How the recovery and success rate is, even after leaving the rehabilitation facility.
- Which rehab clinic you may have more confidence with.
- What their experiences are with particular facilities.
- What rehab facility and programs may be the best in your area.
4. Ask About The Resources You Want To Have
A good addiction treatment program is one that offers a holistic approach to healing and recovery. This means that the focus isn’t just on the addiction itself. Rather, resources should also be provided to tackle the root cause of your addiction. This can differ per patient, so be sure to ask about this.
For instance, one individual may have developed an addiction due to social and peer pressure. Another, on the other hand, could have addiction after losing a loved one to death. If resources aren’t provided to tackle those accompanying problems alongside the addiction, then the chances of relapse may be higher. Take the time to really digest each potential rehab program you’re looking into to assess what they offer and what they don’t.
5. Investigate Each Of Your Options
A good rule of thumb to follow is to have at least three to five options of treatment programs to consider. Then, thoroughly investigate each of those options. Before submitting to one, you need that assurance of finding success in your chosen treatment program. If not, then you’re only wasting time and resources on an ineffective addiction treatment program.
Some important factors to consider include:
- Whether Or Not The Program Is Inpatient Or Outpatient – If your physician or social worker sees the need for you to submit to an inpatient addiction treatment program, then it’s best to follow their recommendation. You can also do inpatient if the duration doesn’t interfere with your job or other obligations.
If inpatient treatment isn’t required, you’ll do good with an outpatient treatment plan. You can stay at home, but you may be asked to go to the treatment facility for scheduled sessions. This flexible option may be best if you have other obligations in life that you can’t let go of for a long time.
Of course, with an outpatient program, you need to do your part in ensuring you don’t fall into any of the temptations which may be lingering around. You’ll only waste your time if some days you’re complying with your treatment program but on the other days, you give in to temptation.
- Treatments And Therapy Options – Each program will have its respective treatment and therapy options. There’s no one approach that works universally for everyone. The choice boils down to preference and needs, so be sure to make that match. Especially if this is your first time, you need to take all the extra time and effort in going through the treatment and therapy options to be certain you’re getting the best for your personal needs.
- Location – There are many schools of thought about the location. Some families might choose to send their loved ones to a rehab program in a facility far from home. That way, the temptation is far and they can focus on nothing else but their road to recovery.
But there are also those who prefer to submit to programs located in accessible centers. This is preferable for people who like having their family nearby as their support system. The choice is up to you and your family. The more comfortable a patient is about the location, the higher the chances of being cooperative with the program.
- Cost – Of course, there’s the budget. Addiction treatment programs can be expensive, but they don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. You don’t have to suffer through overly expensive treatment programs if you can find one which is more budget-friendly. Taking the time to investigate through each of the program options can also help you arrive at the decision as to which programs you can and can’t afford.
When you compare the cost, don’t just focus on the price. Look at the program as a whole by also taking into consideration the inclusions of the price. Do a side-by-side comparison of which programs are most comprehensive, given the price offered.
- Accreditation And Licensing – Whatever your budget is, don’t ever settle for an unlicensed facility or program. A licensed and accredited rehab facility means it consistently meets the highest standards of care and rehabilitation. They regularly submit their programs to inspection to ensure top-notch programs, consistently. If the facility isn’t licensed, then you should be skeptical about the quality of the rehab programs they offer.
Conclusion
Drug or alcohol addiction is a very serious concern, and must not be taken lightly. Recognizing the fact that one needs help is the first big step towards recovery. Given that drug and alcohol addiction are very serious concerns, professional help is always available. There are many rehab centers, each with its respective programs and treatment plans. It’s up to you then to choose the right one for your needs and preferences. If you don’t know where to start, narrowing your options and following the tips above can help you out. Use the guide above to lead you to the right addiction treatment program that you or your loved one really needs.