How to Select a Drug Rehab Center

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in 2006, 23.6 million American individuals age 12 or older required treatment for illicit drug or alcohol abuse. Drug rehabilitation facilities were created to help individuals overcome their abuse or addiction to drugs. Some rehab centers focus on specific types of addiction; others treat a variety of drug dependencies. To increase your chance of a successful recovery, it is important that you choose the right one.

Instructions

Choosing a Rehab Center

• 1

  Ensure that you have a drug problem. Educate yourself on the nature of drug abuse and addiction. Drug abuse is the excessive use of drugs, which often leads to addiction. When you indulge in compulsive drug-seeking behavior without regard for the consequences you are suffering from an addiction. The need to feed your habit becomes your primary goal in life. If you are using drugs excessively or are addicted to them, you need help.

• 2

  Check to make sure the rehab center is accredited. Although a non-accredited center may be capable, your chance of receiving proper treatment is better if the facility is accredited. The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) offers accreditation at the gold standard level for drug rehabilitation facilities. Choose one that is JCAHO certified.

• 3

  See if the center has a drug detoxification program. Detoxification is a vital step in the drug treatment process. Detoxification involves cleansing your body of the drug it has become dependent on. When you stop using drugs or reduce your intake, painful withdrawal symptoms occur. A drug rehab center with a detoxification program can give you medication to ease these symptoms.

• 4

  Ask for a tour of the facility. Walk the grounds and check out the inside of the facility. Examine all visible areas and see that they are clean. Familiarize yourself with the staff. If you require inpatient care, find out how many patients and beds they have. Ensure the facility is adequately staffed with trained individuals.

• 5

  Do your homework to determine who can give you the best service for your budget. Try not to sacrifice quality for cost---"cheap" may not be the best route. If the center is highly structured and appears to suit your needs, it may be worth it to invest a few extra dollars. Drug addiction is a disease that is difficult to overcome. If a particular rehab center can provide you with the tools to beat your addiction, do what you can to make it happen.

• 6

  Use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) facility locator---see Resources section---if money is an issue for you. SAMHSA supports many treatment centers that are publicly funded.