6 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Drug Treatment Clinic
The drug treatment clinic you choose plays a key role in your journey to sobriety. Pick the perfect option by taking these 6 factors into consideration.
Threads can sometimes unravel, but they can also be woven together again. Substance abuse therapy is proven to be a success, with three in four people suffering from an addiction managing to make a recovery.
Successful therapy begins with choosing the right drug treatment clinic. It has to be right for your needs.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 6 key factors to consider when shortlisting clinics. Use this guide to help you make the best decision for your recovery.
1. Check for Accreditations and Licenses
Search for a service with the experience and qualifications to support you. Proper accreditation will ensure you get top-tier care. Look for recognized bodies. It will demonstrate a clinic that works to the most stringent standards.
For example, check for ASAM 2.1 accreditation when looking for an outpatient service. These credentials mean you use a service with expertise in transitioning from inpatient to outpatient care.
Practitioner qualifications are also vital to ensure you get help from the most experienced professionals.
Check for CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) qualifications. There are different levels of certification.
Level 1 is the entry-level qualification, and it works up from there. A level 3 qualification means getting support from someone with the highest qualification and significant experience.
You need a wealth of knowledge and experience to support you on your journey to recovery.
Professionals with the proper credentials will have already worked with many other people in the same position as you. They’ll know who to give you the best care.
2. Addiction Specialism
There are different types of drug treatment clinics. When looking for a clinic, you’ll notice that each offers a specialism in certain addictions.
It’s crucial to find one that’s a good match for you. Treatment is never a one-size-fits-all. Clinic focal areas might include:
- Alcohol addiction
- Opioids
- Prescription drugs
- Stimulants
- Co-occurring mental health disorders
- Behavioral addictions
There are other specialisms, so always check the clinic website and the team’s experience. Call and speak to the team to learn more about their expertise before you make a final decision.
Working with a specialist means getting a more targeted treatment plan focusing on your unique challenges.
That might mean different therapies, treatment modalities, and holistic approaches. But by selecting a clinic that can meet your needs, you are giving yourself the best chance of success that you can sustain over the long term.
3. Look for Personalized Treatment Plans
Recovery from a treatment is a personal journey. It needs a carefully constructed and tailored plan.
When searching for a treatment center, focus on those that offer a full assessment beforehand. That way, you’ll get a custom treatment package that best suits your needs.
That comprehensive assessment should cover your history, challenges, goals, and co-occurring disorders. It provides a foundation from which the clinic can begin planning intervention strategies.
Check the mode of delivery offered by the clinic as part of that treatment plan. Outpatient services can be surprisingly versatile.
You can have one-on-one sessions for those needing a more private, personal setup. Or you can choose small group sessions to harness the benefit of shared experiences.
Couples and family sessions are another option that might be valuable to your unique situation. A spectrum of choices will help you feel comfortable during your treatment, improving your odds of success.
4. Check Aftercare Programs
The journey to recovery doesn’t end when a treatment program finishes. It’s vital that you choose a clinic that can offer a post-treatment phase after going to rehab.
The post-treatment phase is where you’ll seek to integrate your recovery with your daily life.
Look for aftercare programs that can act as a bridge to help you do that. It will smooth the transition and help protect you from relapse. And you’ll continue with the momentum you gained during your outpatient treatment.
Aftercare programs can include many services, like counseling, workshops, and support groups. Like your treatment, it’s tailored to fit you. But vitally, it helps you connect with a community, which is central to long-term success.
Aftercare programs will help you become an individual with resilience. You’ll feel genuinely empowered to continue your journey.
5. The Location of the Drug Treatment Clinic
When you’re an outpatient, you’ll need to consider the practicalities of your treatment, such as traveling to and from your therapy. Always check the location on a map; if using public transport, review routes.
You must have an easy and reliable way of getting to the outpatient clinic, and it’s near where you live. After all, consistent attendance is a central component of your recovery.
It’s also worth visiting a clinic before making a decision. It will help you check the route and ensure it’s realistic. It’s also a valuable way of checking that you’ll be walking into a welcoming environment that you’ll want to attend.
A professional clinic should feel like a warm, serene space where you feel safe. It’s your sanctuary.
The environment is part of your therapy, so you should always feel comfortable. And you should experience a natural rapport with the staff from day one.
Your final clinic choice should always feel like a place where your healing can begin, and you can put your trust in those professionals who work there.
6. Check Your Insurance
When choosing clinics, always check that your insurance covers their services. A transparent conversation about costs at the start is a good idea.
Quality care central to your recovery shouldn’t leave you with money problems. Speak to each clinic about their coverage. You should also inquire about payment plans or any financial assistance.
Check whether any additional expenses, like travel costs, can be covered too. It will help you manage your budget and avoid unforeseen costs that could stop your treatment.
Having a sound grasp of your finances will mean you can relax and focus on your recovery without worrying about money.
Choosing the Best Drug Treatment Clinic
The best drug treatment clinic is one that’s the best match for you. Don’t shortcut the review process. Take the time to look at what a clinic offers to help you make that critical decision.
Our team at Visalia Recovery Center is here to help you. So, explore our services now to see if we are a match for your needs.