Every year, millions of people United States set out on the search for rehab facilities. Some may enter a treatment center only to find out it is not the right fit for them; leading them to start from the beginning. Finding the right addiction treatment facility can be confusing, especially because practically all treatment facilities have varying treatment styles, philosophies, and goals.
Thankfully, finding an addiction treatment program that works for you doesn’t have to be difficult. Over the years we’ve helped thousands of patients find compassionate, confidential, and affordable care to meet their recovery goals, and we can help you too. When choosing an addiction treatment facility, like with any research, it is helpful to understand the broad strokes of what is out there to pick out the therapies and philosophies that resonate with you. In this article we are going to touch on a couple of aspects of treatment we feel are the most important when it comes to overall effectiveness. Effectiveness of treatment is not only how well you progress while in treatment, but maybe more importantly, how well you function once you are immersed back into everyday life and outside the treatment facility bubble.
Do They Address the “Continuum of Care”?
The path of drug and alcohol recovery treatment is fluid; no two patients are ever the same. Some individuals may struggle with the first couple of weeks, while others may find it harder to adjust back into everyday life newly sober. The continuum of care is pretty standard for most treatment centers, but it offers each level of care, from detox, inpatient care, intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient. Each level is designed to step a person down from heavy treatment services and slowly transitioning into everyday life. This transition typically begins with IOP where an individual is working/attending school while also participating in treatment.
Another advantage of the continuum of care is the ability to offer a treatment program that works around your schedule. A majority of individuals are able to take FMLA to attend treatment while working, but this is not the case for all. If you have dependents or are unable to pause work, having a treatment center that offers a full continuum of care will help you find a program that works for you.
One consideration to think about when choosing a facility for rehab is whether or not they offer comprehensive treatment services at different levels of care. This will allow you to receive the necessary treatment that is all-encompassing.
Treatment Staff
One of the most important things in treatment is the relationship you form between you and the professionals who oversee your recovery, especially in the first few weeks of treatment. It is understandable that this is a time you are going to be maybe apprehensive about the process and most likely pretty anxious; it is the staff’s job to make you feel welcomed and comfortable from the moment you arrive. The relationships you form with your therapist, psychiatrist, and counselor is crucial for your overall progress through the recovery program. These relationships allow you to feel comfortable sharing your personal experiences, a necessary part of moving through your recovery. Receiving compassionate care adds positivity to the situation; helping you make your first steps toward recovery easier.
While having a healthy and enjoyable staff is important, it is only something that can be known when you enter or tour a facility. To help you narrow your search before touring and save you some time, ensure the staff is trained to handle the medical and therapeutic needs of patients struggling with addiction. The therapists should be licensed at the very least (LMHC) and preferably have licensure in addiction specifically. For instance, at Coalition Recovery, not only are our counselors licensed in both, but our psychiatrist has 4 board-certifications – one of them being addiction specific.
Apart from the medical staff, detox specialists, intake and billing professionals, physicians, addiction scientists, mental health specialists, and everyone a part of the staff should have a solid understanding and training of not only substance abuse but mental health as well. Facilities at the very lease should require basic mental health de-escalation skills. Overall, a staff that is specially trained in addiction treatment will provide you with the greatest treatment and recovery outcomes.
What Programs and Services Do They Offer?
Specialized services offered at addiction treatment facilities can include:
- Evidence-Based Therapies; cutting-edge treatments designed to target underlying issues
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Accelerated Recovery Therapy (ART)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Massage, Sauna, or Acupuncture: relaxing therapy that eases recovery
- Social Development: aimed at boosting your ability to build positive social relationships
- Art, Music, or Yoga: self-expression outlets that can promote a healthier lifestyle
- Physical Exercise: a healthy release of energy and emotions during recovery
- Medication-Assisted Treatment & Management
- Vitamin Therapy (IV Infusions or Oral Vitamins): replenishes vitamins and minerals during detox
- Amino Acid Therapy
Discreet Care That’s Tailored to Your Needs
A quality treatment center should tailor a program to fit your unique circumstances. This includes showing compassion and commitment during the initial stages of inquiring and intake all the way through outpatient care. Not only is finding the right treatment center intimidating, but entering can be just as taxing. Let the staff carry the load of finding the right program for you that’s also affordable to your financial needs. This allows you to focus on yourself putting you in the best position to succeed in your recovery.
Aftercare and Alumni Programs
An often looked over part of treatment but so very crucial to long-term success. The purpose of aftercare is to give the individual all the resources and help they need to feel comfortable outside of treatment. These types of things can include helping a person build a resume, apply for jobs, connect to sober living facilities, college applications, family therapy, federal benefits, law requirements, connecting to local counselors, and much more. The idea of aftercare is to instill a sense of purpose and goals to focus on post-treatment. These resources help build a better overall life from the one before they entered treatment.
Cost of Care
When looking for a treatment facility, this is often the first thing that comes to mind. More often than not, facilities subsidize the costs of treatment through health insurance. Different treatment centers will accept a variety of insurance. Call your insurance company or the treatment center itself to find out whether or not your treatment is covered by your insurance.
If you are not covered by insurance or you have medicare or Medicaid insurance your options may be limited in your area, but you still have options. Most drug rehabs in Florida are privately owned, but there are a handful of state-run facilities in the state. These facilities are often in high demand requiring week-long waiting periods, but the resources are out there. In the Tampa Bay, Fl area, there are two facilities that will help people with limited finances; DACCO and ACTS.
Private facilities are able to hire specialized and experienced staff to create the best care possible. Often the ratio of therapists to patients is low. This allows the clinical staff enough time to focus on their respective clients in order to give them the best care possible.
Choosing The Right Facility For You
At Coalition Recovery, we are here to help you every step of the way. Our program is designed to heal the body, mind, and spirit in an individualized addiction treatment program. We are ready to welcome you with open arms and provide you with the necessary treatment for drug or alcohol addiction.