How to Find the Best Treatment Program for You
When choosing a substance addiction treatment program, it’s important to remember that everyone’s needs are different. Generally, the greater the length and intensity of the substance addiction, the longer and more intense the treatment you will need. Relapse prevention is important for everyone, but different approaches may be appropriate given your own unique situation. Remember to talk with your doctor about the type of program you need.
What to Look For
When you begin looking for treatment programs, you may see advertisements for luxury houses situated near beaches, complete with pools and beautiful views. While such comforts are nice to have, they can be quite expensive. Focus on what is really important for a treatment program. Here are some important things to look for:
- Accreditation. Make sure the treatment program is accredited by the state, and that the program is run by State-accredited and licensed professionals. This is your health, and it’s important to only work with qualified professionals.
- Program effectiveness. Good treatment centers should be able to offer statistics on their success rate in treating addiction. It’s best if these statistics come from a third-party agency so you can trust their objectivity.
- Relapse prevention. No matter how effective an addiction treatment program is, aftercare services to prevent relapse should be a number one priority. A good program should provide referrals to other recovery services and community support groups, and should work with you before you leave the program to create a discharge plan to prevent relapse.
Types of Treatment Programs
There are a multitude of different treatment types, varying in length, intensity, and approach, Make sure to pick the right one for you. Ultimately, a trained professional should help you decide what will be the most beneficial for you, but it’s good to familiarize yourself with some of the different options:
- Residential treatment. This treatment type involves living at a treatment facility while going through an intensive treatment regimen during the day. Residential treatment typically lasts from one to three months.
- Partial hospitalization. This is for people who have a good living situation but need ongoing medical monitoring. These programs normally meet at a hospital 3-5 days a week for 4-6 hours per day.
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP). This is a kind of treatment service and support program designed to be scheduled around a patient’s daily affairs, such as work or school. IOP programs usually focus on relapse prevention, and focus on supporting a patient as he or she works through a 12-step program.
- Counseling (Individual, Group, or Family). Therapy is usually used not as a primary treatment for substance abuse, but as a follow-up program. Counseling can help you to understand the root causes of your addiction, learn healthy habits, and repair damaged relationships.
- Sober living environment (SLE). These are facilities normally used as an interim between intense residential treatment and a return to regular life. You live with other recovering addicts in a substance-free facility. They provide a safe and supportive environment to aid recovery and prevent relapse.
- Brief intervention. Interventions can only be helpful for those who are at risk for developing drug or alcohol addiction, not those who already have already developed a problem. It works by informing people, and helping them to make rational and healthy choices about their habits.
Paying for Treatment in the U.S.
Substance abuse treatment costs can vary widely depending on your individual needs, your insurance coverage, and the treatment facility.
If you have health insurance, remember to check with your insurance company to see if they will cover the costs of your treatment. Call the number on the back of your health insurance card and ask about your mental health and substance abuse coverage. Ask about your out-of-pocket costs, such as your deductible and co-payment amounts, as well percentage of treatment covered.
It’s also important to make sure that the treatment program you are considering takes your insurance, so be sure to ask your program about what insurance they take.
You can also look into plans that offer reduced payment or sliding scale payment options based on your financial situation. You can also call your state’s substance abuse agency or SAMHSA’s helpline for help in finding affordable treatment in your area.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/choosing_alcohol_rehab_treatment.htm
