It takes courage to seek help for drug abuse or alcoholism.

There are a variety of treatment centers that are committed to helping you, each with their own program options, staff qualifications, credentials, cost and effectiveness.

Important: Your desire to change should be met with a treatment plan that meets your individual needs, as no one treatment is appropriate for everyone.

A quality drug and alcohol treatment center will provide more than a pretty location and view from your room. Addressing your substance abuse as a complex but treatable disease affecting brain function and behavior, as well as the root cause of the addiction, and providing support and long-term follow-up is critical to recovery. Programs should assess patients for infectious diseases and provide risk-reduction counseling to help them change behaviors that put them at-risk of contracting or spreading HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B or C, tuberculosis, etc.

Treatment Program Options

  • Residential treatment is a 30-90 day program where individuals live at a facility while undergoing intense treatment that offers the best possible care around-the-clock. Two things should always be part of this therapeutic environment to help individuals stop using; maintain a drug-free lifestyle and productively function within relationships with family, work and society:
  1. Medically assisted detoxification, which can help suppress withdrawal symptoms, may include anxiousness; bad dreams; changes in emotion; depression; excitability; fatigue; feeling jumpy, nervous, shaky; fever; headache; insomnia; irritability; lack of appetite; nausea and vomiting; and tremors.
    (Medication can also help re-establish brain function, diminish cravings and prevent relapse.)
  2. Therapy to help patients engage in the process, modify their attitudes and behaviors towards substance abuse and increase their chances for a healthy lifestyle
  3. Integration

Sober living normally follows residential treatment. Recovering addicts live together in a supportive, drug-free environment.

Additional services available include:

  • Partial hospitalization, which is appropriate for those who have a stable living situation but need ongoing medical monitoring. Participants meet in a hospital setting three (3) to five (5) days a week, for four (4) to six (6) hours a day.
  • Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) focusing on relapse prevention. They are often scheduled around work or school, meeting at least three (3) days a week for two (2) to four (4) hours or more.
  • Counseling is follow-up support that will help with establishing relationships and learning more healthy coping skills. Attendance may be done on an individual, group or family basis.

Look for Qualified Staff

You should consult with the faculty of a few facilities before making any decisions. This can be done over the telephone and will be conducted like a face-to-face interview.

Ask these questions:

  • “Is the facility run by licensed, well-trained mental health professionals and addiction specialists?”
  • “ Will they continually access and modify a treatment plan, as-needed?”

Credentials

Does the facility have state accreditation? Has it earned accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), meeting national standards for providing quality medical care?

Are they Effective at Helping Addicts?

Ask for Results: Can the facility provide you with statistics on the success rates of their methods from an objective third-party source? Is there a well-run after-care program? Will a staff member collaborate with you to create a discharge plan before you leave? Will they refer you to other recovery services and support groups in your community?

Substance abuse causes complications to your finances, health and relationship, and puts your life at-risk. Reduce these threats with appropriate and timely treatment! Learn about the dynamics of addiction, the effect drugs and alcohol have on your body and the consequence you face if you continued to use.

Help is available to assist with finding a substance abuse treatment program. Talk to your doctor or health insurance company. Your job may offer addiction counseling through its Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), and local community health centers, hospitals and mental health clinics can also provide information.

One of your best options is to contact TrustedRehab, where they can find a treatment center that meets your needs.

Congratulations on your taking such an important step to secure your health and well-being! Take the time you need and have patience. Many people will suffer a relapse and need to go through rehab more than one time. Keep focused and remain consistent in your recovery goals. You can do it!