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Drug addiction is associated with a lack of willpower and is considered a moral failure. As such, many assume that it is easy to shed addiction – one just has to decide to stop. But, it is not that simple. Addiction is a complex disease that requires extensive treatment and long-term care.
The most critical step a drug addict can make is to seek treatment. Some do it willingly, while others are coerced by their loved ones. Whichever is the case, you have to explore the right treatment. Otherwise, you, or your loved one, will relapse. And, the spiral of addiction resumes.
The following are some of the things to consider when choosing the right treatment for addiction: (See also: Managing Expectations for a Loved One’s Addiction Recovery)
Type of treatment program
Addiction treatment programs are diverse, and each treatment facility has a different program. However, most treatment programs first focus on detoxification and medically managed withdrawal. Then behavioral therapy follows.
Generally, addiction treatment programs can be categorized into:
Residential and personalized treatment programs
These programs are offered in inpatient treatment facilities. These facilities are often located in remote areas to provide seclusion and calm that an addict is not used to. These treatment programs are recommended for a severe addiction to hard drugs and alcohol especially in addicts that are struggling in identifying how their actions are affecting them and the people around them.
Residential rehab facilities and a few personalized therapy centers provide the most comprehensive addiction treatment. The treatment involves psychological and medical evaluation followed by drug therapy services such as family therapy, wellness-focused groups, aftercare support, and individual therapy.
Outpatient treatment programs
For addicts with work and family obligations, residential treatment might not be a viable option. Fortunately, some facilities offer outpatient treatment programs. However, these programs vary in the intensity of services provided.
Low-intensity outpatient programs might just offer services comparable to drug education. Others, however, provide intensive treatment equivalent to residential treatment.
Behavioral therapy programs
Both outpatient and residential treatment programs incorporate behavioral therapy. However, some patient can recover from addiction through behavioral therapy alone.
Behavioral therapy involves counselors who help patients face issues that lead them to drug abuse. It is highly recommended for people who have completed their stay at an intensive rehabilitation facility.
But, behavioral therapists do not recommend drugs. Therefore, this form of treatment will not help people struggling with withdrawal. (See also: Ten Tips For Early Recovery From Addiction)
Dual diagnosis treatment
Most drug addicts suffer co-occurring mental and health disorders such as anxiety and depression. Therefore, it is essential to seek a treatment program with a dual diagnosis; the diagnosis of drug addiction and mental problems. According to research, this integrated treatment is the most effective for addiction.
Multidisciplinary treatment
Addiction causes mind and body problems that cannot be addressed by one profession. Therefore, an excellent rehab facility has a mix of professionals who come together to create an effective treatment plan. Ideally, the multidisciplinary team should consist of:
- Substance abuse counselor
- Medical doctor
- Nursing staff
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Nutrition and wellness specialist
Family involvement and family programs
An addiction treatment program that involves family is likely to be successful since the family provides social and moral support during the recovery process. Drug dependency affects the family members, not just the addict.
Family can be involved by visiting the patient in the rehab facility and providing moral support. Many facilities allow visitation, but only if it does not affect the recovery process.
Some facilities offer family programs. The purpose of these programs is to help family members understand addiction, the recovery process, and how they can get involved in the recovery process. The family program can be just a few lectures or as comprehensive as to offer family therapy.
Does the facility meet the patient’s need?
Different patients have varying needs. For the facility to be a good fit, it has to be convenient to the sexual orientation, physical disabilities, age, and culture of the patient. For instance, if the facility is not convenient for a physically disabled individual they might be uncomfortable in the facility, a factor that will affect the recovery process. Similarly, if the facility is not convenient for the female gender, a female addict attempting to recover might feel threatened and escape or leave the facility.
Another factor to consider is the patient-to-staff ratio. More staff means that a patient is more likely to receive individualized care.
Is the facility licensed and accredited?
Check the accreditation of rehab facilities on the websites of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Facilities with these accreditations have met the standards required to care for addiction patients.
You should also check that the staff in the facility has the proper credentials. The treatment team should include a certified and licensed drug and alcohol counselors.
Does the treatment program accept insurance?
You can pay for drug addiction treatment using insurance. So, if you have insurance, look for facilities that accept insurance payment. The facility you wish to join will check with your insurer to see how much can be covered under your policy.
You need to ask what is included in the cost of the treatment. The fee advertised might not be what you end up paying. So, be sure to ask if any additional charges could come up during the stay at the facility, and how much of these fees are covered by insurance. But remember, the cost reflects significantly on the quality of service.
Aftercare support
Does the program provide aftercare support? After treatment, addicts need an after-treatment plan to stay clean. For starters, the program should recommend whether the patient should leave or if they require to continue treatment. Then, there should an aftercare support system where the patient is told what meetings to attend, and follow up visits to keep an eye on signs of relapse. (See also: The Pros and Cons Of Addiction Counselling and How It Can Help You)
Conclusion
Addiction treatment is a complex process. The patient should be willing to get clean and then join a treatment program. Most importantly, the treatment program should be tailored to their needs for it to work. So, if you are looking for a rehab facility for yourself or your loved one consider the factors discussed above.
About The Author:
Helen Cartwright is a passionate blogger, who excels in the Digital Marketing and Technology niche. When not wired in marketing strategies she ghost-write for a variety of authors who have their work published on leading online media channels such as The Huffington Post and Entrepreneur.com.
