Now that you are in the place where you are ready to get the help you need, it’s time to find a facility that can give you the proper treatment and, just as importantly, treat you with dignity and respect.
Here’s our guide on the questions you need to ask yourself as you’re searching for the right treatment facility:
• Is the Program Committed to Evidence-Based Treatment?
Is the program you’re looking into have treatment that is based on sound, scientific evidence? It’s also a good idea to ask about the credentials of the staff, such as are they medical professionals and do they have a license to practice as a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, or social worker? You want to be sure you’re going to a place where the people working at the facility have not just the expertise, but the kindness and compassion to help you in your recovery.
- Are the Specifics of this Program Appropriate for My Needs?
Different programs meet different needs. Are you in need of an inpatient program or would an outpatient program be the best fit for you? How long is the program? What kind of treatment does the program use? These are a few questions you should ask yourself, so you understand better what program is right for you.
- Does this Center Provide Mental Health Treatment?
When you’re in recovery, you’re not just being treated for your substance use disorder, you’re also there to build the foundation by addressing the root causes of your substance use disorder. This means honing in on your mental health, in addition to helping you get sober. Dual diagnosis treatment centers look at the whole you, not just the drug or the addiction. They emphasize recovery that treats your phycological well-being, in addition to treating your substance use disorder.
- Does this Center Provide Post-Treatment Recovery Support?
Your recovery doesn’t end once you’ve completed your treatment program; it’s a lifelong process. What happens if you slip up? In the event of a relapse, will the facility provide the support you need to get you back on track? Will the treatment center support you not just while you’re in treatment, but post-treatment as well? Or, will you need to seek out a different support method to help you in your recovery post-treatment? Be sure to ask those questions about the program you’re considering.
- Does this Program Include Family Education and/or Support?
Family plays a very important role in recovery. They can be the support you need throughout many facets of your recovery. This is why, when choosing a treatment center, it’s important to ask the question of how the treatment center utilizes family education and/or support at the facility. Whether it’s family therapy or tools to hand out to family members that educate them on the recovery process, these are small, but important things, a treatment center can do to increase the chances of recovery success.
- Does this Program Include Physical Well-Being Components, Like Healthy Diet and Exercise?
Physical factors such as exercise and nutrition play an important part in one’s recovery. Does the treatment center include training and education in aspects of your physical health? Does the treatment center check in on your physical health? Be sure to ask those questions of the treatment center you’re considering.
- Does this Treatment Center Provide Services Specific to My Individual Needs?
Treatment for one person may not be the exact same for someone else that needs treatment for a substance use disorder. Does the treatment center look at the whole you instead of just treating the addiction? Does the treatment center treat you from a unique approach instead of a “one-size-fits-all” approach? Make sure the program will work with you to fit your specific, unique needs.
- Does this Program Teach Life Skills?
Life skills are important to leading a life that’s essential to a successful recovery. Skills such as job skill training, personal finance, and even psychosocial skills such as controlling emotions that lead to stress and anger, are vital to your recovery. Make sure the facility will work with you to develop these skills.
These questions are important to ensuring that you find a treatment center that can help you be successful in your recovery. OARS works daily with patients to not just recover from their substance use disorder with evidence-based treatment, but to also create support with family, develop life skills, treat your physical health, treat your mental health, and to help you be the most successful in post treatment. We are with you through every part of your recovery.