
In 12 step programs, group members are urged to help those that are still suffering from addiction. Recovering addicts will often encourage their friends and loved ones in active addiction to enter treatment.
For a number of reasons, your loved one may not be able to attend the same treatment center as you. So, how do you help them find a rehab facility? There are seven questions that you should ask an addiction treatment center before your friend or family member is admitted.
1). Is the treatment center licensed?
This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are treatment centers across the nation that operating without a license. In Oklahoma, the governor just signed Stacy’s bill into law that would ensure that only certified rehab facilities can treat substance abuse and would file criminal charges against those that are not certified. The law came about after an Oklahoma woman died of a drug overdose at facility that allegedly had unlicensed medical staff.
Licensing requirements vary from state to state; make sure that the rehab facility has the appropriate license.
Drug and alcohol rehab facilities can also be accredited by national organizations. In order to receive accreditation, the treatment center must meet certain standards of care.
2.) What types of credentials does the staff have?
Check to make sure that the medical staff is licensed or certified in their specific field. Also, ask if the medical staff has experience in the field of addiction.
3) Does the rehab facility perform background checks on their staff?
Ask the addiction treatment center if they do background checks on their employees. You may think that a treatment center has done a thorough background check, but that is not always the case. A recent report by the California Senate found that felons and sex offenders were being hired as addiction counselors throughout the state. Surprisingly, California does not require addiction counselors to go through a criminal background check.
4.) Do the therapists customize the patient’s treatment plans?
Addiction affects every person differently and one size fits all approach is not effective. A patient’s treatment plan should be tailored to their addiction, needs and goals.
5.) Does the rehab facility offer dual diagnosis treatment?
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 37 percent of alcoholics and 53 percent of drug addicts had at least one mental health illness. Dual diagnosis treatment allows patients to be treated for their psychiatric illness and their addiction at the same time.
6.) Does the treatment center offer a medically supervised detox?
Quitting drugs or alcohol “cold turkey” can put a person’s life in jeopardy. It is important that an addict goes through a medically assisted drug detox.
7.) Does the rehab facility offer aftercare?
Aftercare is essential to lasting recovery. People in early recovery should receive continuing care after they leave a substance abuse treatment center. Ask the facility what types of aftercare services they offer.
These seven questions should help your loved one find a treatment center that fits their needs. Recovery is a lifelong journey and it starts with choosing the right rehab facility.
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