What To Look For When Seeking Treatment?

1. Does your program offer gender specific programming?

This would mean separate campuses and no interaction with the opposite sex. This is not always necessary for successful treatment but may be important depending on past trauma and or other co-occurring issues that affect yourself or loved ones success in treatment. Will your loved one be able to focus on healing and recovery in an environment with the opposite sex? How are opposite genders housed for sleeping? How often do they interact throughout the day? MOST IMPORTANTLY, how is the programming different for the different genders?  A lot of programs will consider gender-specific programming solely based on patients sleeping in separate quarters or being gender specific groups….BUT there is no difference in the content. 

2. How is detox coordinated when medically necessary?

The need for detox should be assessed by a professional at the facility. If deemed medically appropriate they should be detoxed accordingly either on site or with a reputable detox partner that offers the appropriate medical components for a safe detox. It’s important to note that outpatient detox is not without risks and is not appropriate for all usage and substances. 

3. Does this Program Include Family Education and/or Support?

What does the Family Program entail?  How often does it meet?  Are loved ones involved and how often? What do families do for support and education? How often do families receive updates if there is a consent to do so? Families need healing and guidance throughout the process and a comprehensive program provides a high level of contact with content and direction geared for the family about the family.

4. Can the facility treat the specific needs of the patient? Are they licensed and qualified to do so? Under what conditions will a patient be discharged or referred to alternate care?

Clarification on who is providing all the programming.  It is common in residential treatment settings for services to be provided non-licensed professionals despite having licensed staff onsite.  Ask who are conducting all of the groups, individual sessions, and family sessions?  What are their qualifications?  Are they certified or licensed? 

Also, there is a difference in levels of care offered at facilities across the United States.  A licensed and accredited residential treatment center has licensed professionals on site 24/7, provides 24/7 monitoring, and nearly all services are all inclusive.  It is a higher level of care than an outpatient program where folks live on site with some type of supervision of the housing component.  These are two completely different types of services and intensities of care.  These models, known as PHP/IOP with managed living, are typical step downs from a residential level of care. 

5. Does this Program Include Physical Well-Being Components, Like Healthy Diet and Exercise? 

Always ask about the frequency they are provided and if there is any additional costs.  This can include the addition of fitness programs/equip, equipment, yoga, reiki, acupuncture, massage, adventure therapy, and sober outings.

6. Is your program accredited? 

Look for programs that are Accredited by CARF or The Joint Commission.

7. Are you State licensed, and for what levels of care?

Some treatment providers present as being residential or inpatient treatment, while offering outpatient services with unlicensed housing. In a truly residential setting clients are housed on property with clinical and are provided 24/7 support.

8. What evidence-based practices are used?

This is where the type of staff matters, as well as their education and certification/licensure status.  A licensure is held to a higher standard than a certification.  Do therapists provide all their services?  How often are non-licensed and non-certified staff providing services that make up the clinical day?  How often are 12 Step Meetings?  The integration of 12 Steps is important but should not be the only modality of a treatment center’s intervention with a patient with the complexity of substance use disorders and the co-occurring mental health issues.

9. Are staff onsite and awake 24/7?

10. How many residents are in the facility at once? What are the group sizes? How many individual sessions does a patient receive weekly?

Consider if you will do better in a larger facility with larger groups or if you will have more success in a more individualized program that can tailor programming to your individual and family needs.

11. Is nursing and medical care provided 24/7?

This should be the case for a residential and inpatient stay. You will need consistent monitoring to ensure no medical complications as well as appropriate medication adjustments during this initial treatment period.  Referring out, or the ability to refer out, is not the same type of medical supervision.

12. What types of support services are provided after treatment? Does the provider have an alumni program? What types of discharge planning are used?

Aftercare is a crucial part of recovery and should start within the first week of their admission. A reputable program should always take the time to discuss and arrange next steps for you or your loved one. This should be a personalized and clinically appropriate process that helps to further set a client up for success upon their exit from a program. Also, a strong alumni base is a sign that a program has created successful outcomes and puts client care first.

What is the therapist to resident ratio?

This provides an idea of how much oversight is provided by a facility as well as how much individualized clinical care will be provided.

What qualifications do your clinicians have? Are group and individual counseling sessions provided by a Masters level staff member that is licensed and certified? Do clinicians have specialized training in treating SUD?

More information is better. Look for facilities that have bios for their staff including medical and clinical personnel. Groups and therapy should always be led by licensed and certified individuals and not peers. You want to ensure you or your loved one receives the best clinical care during your stay.

Is the facility in-network with your insurance? What out of pocket costs will be assessed? How are these costs calculated?

Look for providers who offer detailed information about patient financial responsibility, and billing practices. While free sounds good, medical services have associated patient responsibilities through deductibles and copay. Be wary of facilities offering no out of pocket cost with insurance.

If a provider offers free travel, no-out of pocket cost, help to obtain insurance, or any other substantive gift or incentive, this is a sign of potential insurance fraud and maybe an illegal inducement.