A battle with addiction is a hard one. Many people see their lives fall apart – they lose their jobs, relationships, and happiness. If you admitted that you need help – you made the biggest step to recovery. Congratulations on that! The next step is to choose the right rehab facility. This facility can have a big impact on how fast you will recover and whether you will stay sober. If you have done some research, you have probably noticed that there are a lot of rehab facilities, and if choosing one seems like a difficult task for you – don’t worry. Here are six tips to help you make this decision without any stress and start your journey to a healthier life, free of any addiction.
Decide What You Need and Want
Before you start searching for a rehab facility, it’s important to take some time and decide what you want and need from your recovery. As folks from the VA rehab center in Florida state, the first step is always the hardest in the substance abuse battle. Once you know what you want and need from a facility, your search will be a lot easier. Which type of substance abuse are you struggling with? Some rehab facilities are perfect for treating specific addictions like alcoholism, while others are perfect choices for a few types of substance abuse. You should also think about some other things – inpatient or outpatient treatment, duration, and any special requirements (gender or age-specific programs). If you have co-occurring mental health issues, check if the facility offers specialized programs for dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis takes care of both addiction and mental health disorders, so it’s a perfect holistic recovery method.
Check If the Facility Has Accreditation and a License
Each facility you are considering must have accreditation and license – never skip this step. Accreditation is your guarantee that the facility meets all standards of care and is regularly reviewed by an external organization, while the license guarantees that the facility complies with state regulations and has all the necessary qualifications to provide treatment. There are two organizations you should look for accreditation from: CARF or the Joint Commission. These two organizations have high standards for treatment quality and patient care. If the facility is accredited by one of these two, you can be sure that you’ll receive high-quality care. You should also check if the facility is certified by state health departments or other regulatory bodies. Every rehab facility that has accreditation and license will have better treatment programs, better staff, and better commitment to patient care and safety.
See Which Treatment Programs Are Offered
Every rehab facility offers something different, so you should see which treatment programs are offered and then choose the one that fits your needs. Some of the common treatment programs are detoxification, inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation, and aftercare services. Detoxification helps to manage withdrawal symptoms and prepares patients for further therapy. Inpatient rehabilitation is intensive, regulated care in a rehab facility, while outpatient rehabilitation is created for those who can’t make time for full-time residential treatment. Finally, aftercare services are created to provide support for people who completed a rehab program and help them stay sober.
We recommend you research each of these programs – which therapies and approaches they use. It could be cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, or motivational interviewing – all of these have been proven effective for treating substance abuse. Also, you can research if the facility offers holistic therapies, such as art therapy, music therapy, or equine therapy.
Check If the Staff is Qualified and Experienced
You should always look for facilities that have a multidisciplinary team of licensed professionals – doctors, nurses, therapists, counselors, and so on. All of these professionals should have specialized training and experience in addiction treatment and mental health care. The best detail that will show you the quality of care you’ll get is staff-to-patient ratio. If a facility has a lower ratio, it often means you’ll have more individualized treatment and better results. You should also check if all staff have their licenses and credentials, as well as if they continually learn new things – medicine and treatment methods change every day, so it’s important that they are motivated to learn new things that will improve your recovery.
Consider the Environment and Amenities
Before you decide on a specific facility, we would recommend visiting it. This way, you will see the living conditions, atmosphere, and environment. Always look for a clean, comfortable, and supportive environment, because only this way you’ll have a positive and effective recovery experience. Some rehab facilities offer amenities like private rooms, fitness centers, and gourmet meals – if this is important for you, make sure to consider these facilities. You can also look for facilities that offer yoga, meditation, art therapy, and recreational activities. It’s also important to consider location – some people prefer facilities close to their homes, while some prefer facilities in different cities or countries to distance themselves from their everyday environment and triggers.
Read the Reviews
Last but not least – read the reviews for each facility you’re considering. Reviews from former patients and their families will help you see what you can expect. You can read about the quality of care, staff support, and their satisfaction with the facility. While these reviews should not be the final factor in your decision, they can help you see how many patients achieved long-term recovery. You can also ask for recommendations from healthcare professionals or support groups as these usually know reputable rehab facilities. Finally, you can check the facility’s success rate – it could be many patients who complete the program or the rate of long-term sobriety and relapse. Numbers and metrics are a great way to see what you can expect and make the right decision.
The level of motivation you have and the quality of the rehab facility you choose are the two most important things that will decide if you’ll succeed in recovery. With the right rehab center, you’ll have all the support and resources needed to achieve lasting recovery and build a bright future. Take your time, and make the best possible decision.