Battling addiction is by itself incredibly hard, but doing so alone is almost impossible. A good thing is, there are a lot of support groups and drug treatment centers out there to help you.
The first step in overcoming a drug addiction is acknowledgment, which is further followed by action. While every recovery process is different, one key aspect is tied to the success rates. This aspect is going to a good treatment center. The only problem is, how are you supposed to know which one is the best for you? Differentiating between these institutions can be problematic – especially if you don’t know what to look for.
All this is why, in this article, we are going to be talking about tips that are going to help you find a good drug treatment center. Ending up in a place that isn’t able to help you might deter you from seeking further help. This is exactly why you want to be sure that you know how to find a center that is going to boost your recovery process. Having all this in mind, let’s begin with the list.
Evaluate your needs first
The first thing that you should do is to reflect on your addiction and all the relevant aspects to it. Make sure that you understand your strengths, and even more important – weaknesses. This knowledge will allow you to understand what type of facility is going to be able to tackle your needs best.
Treatment centers can vary immensely, and picking the right one is possible only if you know what you need personally. If you find yourself to be someone who succumbs to addiction when let loose, you’d want to look for a center that ensures more vigilant observation. If such environments induce stress to you, and stress is the common reason why you act on your addiction – you might want to look for a more laid-back treatment center.
In any case, you must understand what situations make you more susceptible to drug use. Understanding this will help you target those situations specifically.
Look for a strong, structured, and well-defined program
When it comes to an addiction treatment program, nothing should be left to chance. As Dr. Magda Rall a head therapist from White River Recovery explains, the most effective programs are those that utilize mixed proven therapeutic methods and a strategic approach with experienced staff to back the program up. If the treatment center that you’re looking into is vague with their program, avoid it.
You want to look for a treatment center like Sandstone Treatment Center that backs up its promises with a good plan of action. Look into the treatment program in detail, as this is one of the most important aspects.
Don’t overlook comfort
Now, we’ve mentioned that some people thrive in a comfortable environment and some don’t. When we say don’t overlook comfort, we’re not talking about that. We’re talking about being able to feel like you’re in the right place. There are plenty of factors that come to play with evaluating comfort in such a way.
The best thing that you can do to get an accurate image is to visit the treatment center in advance. By interacting with the staff you get to see the way in which they approach you. By touring the place, seeing the food that they serve, and similar, you get to understand whether that’s the place where you’d feel comfortable. Even though these things don’t seem like a priority, they are incredibly important to the overall effectiveness of the treatment.
Ask your doctor for advice
If you haven’t opened up to your doctor about your addiction, you should do so. Even though it might seem scary, they are there to help you. In fact, the probability is high that they will be able to give you advice that you couldn’t find otherwise. Why? Well, for the fact that they often have a deeper insight into your local treatment centers. The probability is high that they know people that have experience with those centers and hence can advise you further.
Additionally, if you aren’t sure what to look for, your doctor can help you with that as well. They can advise you on whether you should look for a center that utilizes therapy that involves medication or something else.
Reach out to your local support group
This is something that you should definitely do before opting for a certain treatment center. A word of warning though, make sure that you ask the support group leaders. Don’t ask the people that are still in the process of battling with addiction, as their view of the center in question might be biased.
Look for an established treatment center
While the longevity of the drug treatment center isn’t always an accurate representation of the quality, it fairly often is. In general, the probability is high that a treatment center that exists for more than five years is better than the one that has just opened up. Learning the ropes takes time, and you probably don’t want to waste your own. That being said, it would be best if you narrowed your selection down to more established treatment centers.
If you can – opt for residential treatment
There are different options when it comes to whether the treatment will take place on or off-site. In general, residential treatment proves to be the most successful option. Even though you might not feel comfortable being away from your home, such programs offer benefits that truly are worth it.
For starters, you get to be fully immersed in the treatment, with a lower possibility that you indulge in destructive behavior. Additionally, residential treatment offers more activities and involvement with the staff. As they get to know you more, they will be able to assess and approach your needs in a more effective way.
In the end, it all boils down to making sure that you’re as informed as you possibly can be. Finding the information on the drug treatment center from different sources is vital for gaining an objective overview of the place. Additionally, informing yourself on all the relevant aspects will enable you to compare different centers easier. In all this, don’t forget to think about your own needs as well – you want to find a place that suits you best. Since everyone’s story is different, the optimal treatment plan is going to be different as well. There’s no one answer that fits all situations when it comes to drug treatment.
Even though the road to recovery can be slow, hard, and paved with obstacles – be vigilant. Persevere, remember why you want to get sober, make your goals your driving force. You can beat this, good luck with your recovery process!