Tips For Finding The Right Rehab Facility

It’s inevitable that when you are looking for the ideal rehabilitation facility, you will be anxious to make the right decision. However, you need to keep in mind that there are a lot of factors to consider that may seem to make this task almost impossible.

So, be sure to ask yourself the following questions when you are attempting to pick the right rehab facility for you.

Are there rehab programs available to match your needs?

The rehab facility that you choose will obviously be largely dictated by the know-how and experience of the physicians there.

While some of those comparing rehab facilities have addiction treatment programs specifically in mind, others are in need of therapies for rehabilitation after stroke, brain injury, organ transplantation, amputation, orthopaedic surgery or other conditions.

read more >
drug and alcohol rehab

Is the facility or program appropriately accredited or licensed?

You will naturally want the elements of treatment used by your chosen facility to be those that research has shown to be effective. You can go some way to ensuring this by opting for a facility or program that has been accredited or licensed by a respected body.

The Joint Commission, the National Committee for Quality Assurance and the All-States are all examples of acclaimed national accreditation programs. However, it is important to differentiate between accreditation and state licensing, as the requirements for the latter can vary greatly from state to state.

Is 24-hour care provided?

A rehab facility that takes pride in the provision of around-the-clock physician coverage should give you even greater peace of mind.

How well-qualified are the staff?

Does the facility employ registered nurses that are certified in rehabilitation nursing? Do they also possess extensive experience in acute care?

It’s important to look for the credentials and licenses that show the people providing treatment meet nationally recognized standards for professional practice. Addiction professionals, for instance, may hold all manner of credentials, such as LADC (licensed alcohol and drug counsellor), CAC (certified addictions counsellor), LPC (licensed professional counsellor) or CCDP (certified co-occurring disorders counsellor).

How does the facility develop its treatment programs?

It will be insightful and useful to learn about the process by which treatment programs are developed at the facility you are considering.

At any given rehab facility, the development of patient treatment programs involves not only physicians and nurses – but also occupational, physical, speech/language and even recreational therapists.

Is the treatment gender-specific?

While there are times when men and women recovering from addiction can benefit from participating in mixed-gender treatment, research also indicates that the process of recovery from alcohol and other drug addictions differs between the genders. This means that when patients are separated by gender, they stand a stronger chance of recovery.

Patients in gender-specific programs are able to focus on building lasting sobriety with the assistance of those of their own gender. In addition, such programs tend to provide a better environment for discussion especially sensitive and personal issues unique to the patient’s gender.

Does the facility provide genuinely holistic treatment?

The term ‘holistic’ – when applied to treatment – refers to an approach that addresses a full range of needs aimed at enhancing the patient’s medical, psychological, spiritual and social health and wellness.

It’s a genuinely holistic focus that is likely to bring the greatest success for a patient seeking to recover from addiction. That’s why you are likely to appreciate a rehab facility with an interdisciplinary team of skilled physicians comprising addiction counsellors, physicians, psychologists, family specialists, nurses, nutritionists, spiritual care professionals and wellness specialists.

Also ask whether these various professionals work independently with the patient to ensure every aspect of the addiction and any co-occurring disorders affecting the body, mind, and spirit is addressed.

What role can the patient’s family play in treatment?

Any good rehab facility should realize the critical importance of the patient, their family, and medical providers working closely together to maximize the chances of recovery. When the family of the patient understands the recovery process, they are better placed to heal and to provide a healthy support system in the patient’s early stages of recovery.

You should, therefore, ask how involved family members are permitted to be at the facility, and if they are welcome to observe therapy and participate in key meetings. The facility in question may even go as far as providing a dedicated family program that gives family members all of the education, guidance, and support they need for sustained recovery.

What is the atmosphere at the facility like?

A patient is in the best place to recover when they are somewhere they feel safe, respected and not ‘institutionalized,’ so these are aspects to which your chosen facility should pay close attention.
Does the facility that you are thinking of put a strong emphasis on providing the patient with the optimal setting in which to not just recover from addiction, but also make the physical, emotional and spiritual changes that will serve them well in the months and years ahead?

Is ongoing support provided after treatment ends?

Most patients will be unable to sustain their recovery after the initial treatment phase alone, meaning that further care is required. That’s why any facility you choose for addiction recovery should also give the patient the benefit of an aftercare regimen, including participation in a Twelve Step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Does the facility work with insurance companies?

The sheer expense of rehab treatment should never be underestimated. You’ll therefore almost certainly be thankful for a treatment center that can guide you through the complexities of insurance and other payment options.

A given rehab facility can be described as ‘insurance friendly’ if it merely accepts insurance. However, the best centers provide so much more than this, also working with insurance firms on behalf of their clients to find the most suitable payment options.

Such services may extend to the facility working to determine whether patient aid is available for the given client, so that it may be used in conjunction with insurance benefits.

Bear all of the above questions in mind, and you will be well-informed in your quest to choose the most suitable rehab facility for your needs or those of any prospective patient in your family.

Disclaimer: Our service is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as financial advice. We help our readers make informed decisions via impartial information and guides. Where appropriate, we may introduce partner companies who can provide services relating to financial products.