How to Find Treatment for Drug & Alcohol Addiction

Educating yourself on what to look for in a drug or alcohol treatment program can save you time and money. Once you can identify the important qualities you seek in a treatment program, you’re better prepared to choose the right rehab.

Research Your Addiction Treatment Options

Whether you find potential rehab options by doing your own research or by contacting a treatment provider, it’s important that you do a thorough investigation on each one. Programs typically differ by the levels of care provided, how long the program lasts, and the program’s intensity or structure. Most of this information should be available on the rehab’s website or other promotional materials. But you may have to call the facility directly for additional information. You can decide which rehab facility will best meet your needs based on learning about the following factors.

Inpatient Vs. Outpatient Addiction Treatment

The choice between attending an inpatient or outpatient rehab program generally depends on the severity of addiction. There are advantages to both types of treatment, so the right choice ultimately depends on your needs.

In an inpatient drug rehab, you reside at the facility for the duration of treatment. You are provided with around-the-clock medical care. Due to the intensive environment, inpatient programs are well suited for people dealing with mental health issues and substance abuse (co-occurring disorders).

If your addiction isn’t severe and you need to attend rehab without stopping work or school, an outpatient drug rehab program is more suitable. You’ll need to have a strong drive to recover because there is less supervision and oversight. In an outpatient program, you’ll still participate in group or individual therapy, but you’re able to go home at the end of the day (which may result in a number of triggers and temptations that you wouldn’t find in an inpatient setting).

Some outpatient programs offer the option of living in a sober living home environment, which minimizes many of these concerns and provides the benefits of accountability, structure, and random drug and alcohol tests. Additionally, some outpatient programs offer both day and night treatment options.

Types of Treatments and Therapies Offered

There are thousands of different treatment models and therapy options available to treat addiction. This makes it possible for everyone to find a treatment program that works best for them.

It’s a good idea to research the different types of therapies to determine the treatment that’s best for you. Rehab programs that offer only one or two types of therapy may not be able to customize care to your specific needs. An ideal program should offer a variety of evidence-based therapies to help you transition into recovery and meet your future needs. (It’s important to note that therapists can often help you determine which therapeutic methods would be most beneficial.)

Drug Rehab Amenities

One of the biggest differentiating factors between the cost and quality of rehabs is the accommodations offered. There are some luxury rehabs that provide a standard of living that rivals or exceeds that of 5-star hotels, then there are other rehabs that have basic but fully-functional facilities. Many rehabs include amenities like fitness training, art studios, expressive therapies, and beautiful scenery to help you heal.

The range of available amenities is enormous. With that being said, however, the number of amenities offered typically increases the cost of rehab. Some people simply can’t afford these perks, while others find them unnecessary. You want to be as comfortable as possible during drug rehab, so it’s up to you to decide the amenities that need to be included.

Examples of potential amenities include:

Yoga
Acupuncture
Chiropractic services
Massage therapy
Swimming pools
Gyms
Equine therapy
Art and Music therapy

Location of Drug Rehab

It’s important to take into account the location of each rehab you are considering. You’ll also want to determine whether or not it’s ideal to choose a rehab that’s close to where you live. While local facilities are more convenient, it can be highly beneficial to choose a facility that’s far away from the distractions of home. However, traveling for rehab often proves to be more expensive than attending a nearby facility, which is something you’ll need to factor in your decision.

Length of Drug Rehab Program

The majority of treatment programs will last for either 30, 60, or 90 days, but there are many other options that vary in length. Some facilities can amend individual programs to be longer if needed, while others have a strict timeline for checking out once treatment is completed. In fact, long-term residential programs can last up to a year.

Many providers strongly recommend attending 60- or 90-day programs because they feel that 30 days is not long enough to adequately work through addiction issues. However, there are plenty of 30-day programs with excellent track records of success. They are a great option for people who have financial, professional, or family commitments that prevent them from being away from home for a long period of time.

Cost of Addiction Treatment Programs

Every rehab has a different price. The cost of addiction treatment can range from completely free to upwards of $50,000 per month. The cost of a treatment program depends on the levels of care offered, the location of the facility, amenities provided, and many other factors that contribute to overall costs. If a program is not covered by your insurance, there are many alternative options available to help clients pay for rehab.

Some ways to alleviate the cost of treatment include:

Health insurance using the Affordable Health Care Act
Use of Medicaid and Medicare
Use of Private health insurance
Personal or medical loans

While the cost of treatment shouldn’t prevent you from accessing treatment, it plays a giant role in determining which rehab program you choose.

Compare Drug Rehab Facilities and Make an Informed Decision

After identifying and comparing the relevant rehab information, it’s time to make a decision. Choosing the right rehab means that you’ll have to carefully weigh all the factors listed above. Your decision will include the characteristics that are most important to you and pick the facility that most closely matches your wants and needs. You don’t have to find a facility that perfectly matches all of your preferences, but you will be able to find an excellent treatment center that can help you get started on the road to recovery.