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Selecting a treatment center for alcoholism and drug abuse for yourself
or someone you care about may be one of the most important decisions
you will make in your lifetime. Most of us don't know what to look
for in a quality program. Not all treatment centers are the same-they
differ greatly in program options, staff qualifications, credentials,
cost, and effectiveness.
You need to ask appropriate questions when you call a drug abuse
treatment center for information and you should expect to receive
clear answers.
Before you make any decisions-ask questions and get the facts!
Alcohol and drug addiction is a disease that progresses through
predictable stages. It takes a trained health professional, often
a doctor specializing in addiction medicine, to make an accurate
diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
Centers should offer a variety of treatment programs that meet
individual needs. Programs may include inpatient, residential, outpatient,
and/or short-stay options.
The difference between inpatient and residential treatment is that
inpatient services are provided by a licensed hospital, while residential
programs usually do not meet the same rigorous standards of medical
care.
The length of stay depends on the severity and stage of the disease.
"How much does it cost?" is often one of the first questions
asked.
The price tag for drug abuse & alcoholism is presented in many
different formats. You need to know what is included in the price,
what will be added on to your bill as a fee-for-service program,
and what services your health insurance will cover. This makes it
extremely difficult to compare prices by simply asking the question
- "What does it cost?"
If you are seeking the best value for your treatment dollar, remember:
Price can be meaningful only in the context of quality and performance.
There is an advantage to including on-site medical care in a drug
abuse treatment center. Physicians and nurses provide 24-hour hospital
services to monitor and ensure a safe withdrawal from alcohol and
other drugs. In addition, a medical staff specializing in addiction
medicine can oversee the progress of each individual and make necessary
adjustments to the treatment plan.
Medical credentials can also be important. For example, chemical
dependency treatment centers that earn a JCAHO accreditation (Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) meet national
standards for providing quality medical care. Appropriate state
licensing is also an important consideration.
Be sure to ask which medical costs are included in the price of
treatment.
Drug abuse and alcoholism affects the entire family, not just the
alcoholic/addict. Quite often family members do not realize how
deeply they have been affected by chemical dependency. Family involvement
is an important component of recovery.
Treatment centers vary in the degree and quality of family involvement
opportunities. Some offer just a few lectures and others offer family
therapy. Ask if there is any time devoted to family programs and
if group therapy is included.
There are no quick fixes for the diseases of drug abuse and alcoholism.
Recovery is an ongoing process. The skills one learns during intensive
treatment must be integrated into everyday life and this takes time.
Some treatment programs will offer a follow-up program but only
in one location which may make it difficult to use. Treatment programs should include a quality, continuing care program
that supports and monitors recovery.
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