Choosing a Private Drug Rehab
Five Important Things to Look for
When you discover that your loved one is abusing some mind-altering substance, you want to do something. The big issue is what to look for when choosing a private drug rehab center. Below are five important points to look for when seeking help from professionals in addiction.
We can also help you when you contact us. We do not represent any facility, so our advice is unbiased. Please read on, and if you need further help, don’t hesitate to contact us through email or by phone.
1. Staff Qualification in Addiction
When choosing a private drug rehab, one would think the best certificates from the most prestigious university would be sufficient. That is not always the case. However, it does help to have a certificate. Dealing with addiction takes more than years of course room study. Someone who has fallen victim and recovered from substances will have additional experience.
Although the latter is true, it is not all that is required. Verify who the counsellors are, their qualifications, AND their experience with addiction. Also, do they have the ability to deal with emotions and upsets? A person who struggled with addiction and overcame it, who trained in different therapies, is of great value to recovering addicts.
Insurance
Coverage
Life Skills
in a Rehab
2. On-Site Medical and Support Staff
Centers that offer detox will have professional withdrawal specialists. A center providing a medically supervised detox will have qualified nurses on-site with attending physicians. Yet, other centers will offer detox but have a walk-in physician seeing clients at regular intervals.
Plus, there will be nurses or people with first aid training to help in case of an emergency. It is not uncommon to find a center that has virtual consulting doctors. It has been successful when the doctor’s office is far from the facility.
Available medical personnel are sometimes crucial when choosing a private drug rehab. You should find out what their situation is beforehand.
Questions to
Ask a Rehab
Treatment
Approaches
3. Daily Activities in the Facility
There is something you need to know. Having your loved one at a facility where much of their time is left to their leisure is not good. You should ask about the schedule after or before group or one-on-one therapy. Is the rest of the day left to the person to fill? Or do they organize activities to discover new pastimes and aptitudes and keep them busy?
A good schedule includes responsibilities such as personal hygiene and assigned cleaning areas. They should be engaged in different activities as a group with various learning and reflection times. Some private addiction treatment centers provide group seminars, which are also very constructive. In other words, find out how your loved one will spend a typical day in treatment. You want them busy working on bettering their lives.
4. Outside Contacts and Visitor Policy
The facilities will have specific rules on this matter. Normally, the person signs a waiver at intake. This action lets the center receptionist know to whom it can give information and what calls they can transfer to the resident. Some centers permit electronic devices, including cell phones. However, strict rules exist for their use.
Many centers will have “family day,” normally on Sundays. Some will have zero contact until the end of the program. However, you should know what policies each center has before choosing a rehab center. If you sponsor a loved one, you should request to be a “contact person.” That will permit you to get updates on their progress, and the center can reach out if needed for any situation.
Quitting
Today
Detoxing
on Your Own
5. Type of Aftercare Program
The average treatment center offers aftercare one to six months after program termination. Usually, calling once a week, then twice a month and once a month. At a certain point, the facility considers the person able to continue living independently.
Though many people in recovery will find it trying to restart life drug-free, certain rehabs offer a relapse service at a fraction of the cost of a full program. Support service is vital to maintaining sobriety.
The center counsellors may recommend the person connect with an AA support group or a similar activity. Family and substance-free friends can also act as a strong support group. The key point in choosing a private drug rehab is to ask what it offers to help your relative once their treatment program ends.
Choosing a Private Drug Rehab Center
If you’re uncertain and would like some advice, call us. Our referral counsellors have years of experience in the field, and they know their business. They can guide you toward the best private treatment center for the person you want to help. You just need to give us a call or request we call you back. It would be a pleasure to work with you.
Marc J. Bernard
Author,
Substance Use Disorder & Recovery Professional,
Referral & Consultation Counsellor
