Choosing the right addiction treatment center for your loved one is a daunting task. Whether you have already researched extensively, are just getting started, or are overwhelmed and ready to make a hasty decision, there are many common mistakes in this new and unfamiliar process, and the best choices aren't always obvious.
Our consulting services can help you find your way, but to get you started, here are the five most common mistakes in choosing an addiction treatment center:
Our consulting services can help you find your way, but to get you started, here are the five most common mistakes in choosing an addiction treatment center:
1. CHOOSING A TREATMENT CENTER BECAUSE IT IS CLOSE TO HOME.
While this may seem ideal to have a short drive to treatment for your loved one, being close to home is not always the best answer.
Families often have issues with boundaries and may be inclined to agree when their loved one wants to leave before treatment is complete. Little distance also means that friends can pick them up from the facility too.
There is no geographic cure for addiction, however, allowing some space for both the family and the individual to heal and break old patterns of behavior can tip the outcome towards success.
Families often have issues with boundaries and may be inclined to agree when their loved one wants to leave before treatment is complete. Little distance also means that friends can pick them up from the facility too.
There is no geographic cure for addiction, however, allowing some space for both the family and the individual to heal and break old patterns of behavior can tip the outcome towards success.
2. NOT FOLLOWING PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE.
Once a person or family identifies that their loved one is struggling with addiction, the internet is usually the first source of guidance. There are thousands of treatment centers across the country, but only a small number that would be a successful match.
That’s because addiction treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Many factors such as substance of choice, age, trauma, and co-morbidity suggest which treatment center is the best fit.
Receiving a credible referral from an addiction professional is the best way to find the appropriate treatment facility for your loved one, so take that advice seriously.
That’s because addiction treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Many factors such as substance of choice, age, trauma, and co-morbidity suggest which treatment center is the best fit.
Receiving a credible referral from an addiction professional is the best way to find the appropriate treatment facility for your loved one, so take that advice seriously.
3. CHOOSING A TREATMENT CENTER BASED ON AN ANONYMOUS ONLINE REVIEW
If you look at reviews of the world’s best treatment centers, you will inevitably find negative reviews… it’s the nature of the business.
Anyone can anonymously post their opinion on a treatment center, whether they are getting paid to leave positive reviews or trying to leave negative ones in an effort to lash out.
Individuals entering treatment sometimes do so unwillingly; when they feel like their family has pressured them into treatment, they often leave a negative review.
They are also frequently more concerned about the facility’s amenities instead of the quality of therapeutic care.
Instead, look for facilities that have been accredited and certified by the Joint Commission, evidenced by the “Gold Seal of Approval” on their website. This independent body has quality standards for both the facility and its therapeutic program, and a gold seal means it has been evaluated on evidence-based practices.
If you are searching for a peer-driven recovery program instead of a medical treatment center, a credible interventionist can always provide you with personalized recommendations.
Anyone can anonymously post their opinion on a treatment center, whether they are getting paid to leave positive reviews or trying to leave negative ones in an effort to lash out.
Individuals entering treatment sometimes do so unwillingly; when they feel like their family has pressured them into treatment, they often leave a negative review.
They are also frequently more concerned about the facility’s amenities instead of the quality of therapeutic care.
Instead, look for facilities that have been accredited and certified by the Joint Commission, evidenced by the “Gold Seal of Approval” on their website. This independent body has quality standards for both the facility and its therapeutic program, and a gold seal means it has been evaluated on evidence-based practices.
If you are searching for a peer-driven recovery program instead of a medical treatment center, a credible interventionist can always provide you with personalized recommendations.
4. CHOOSING A TREATMENT CENTER BASED ON PRICE ALONE
It is true that inpatient treatment can be very costly, however, paying more is not a relevant indicator of the quality of care that a patient receives. Cost is often an indicator of amenities at a facility, patient-to-therapist ratio, private rooms, etc.
At most treatment centers, private insurance is accepted and out-of-pocket costs are based more on your plan’s individual deductible and not on the treatment center’s “sticker price.”
Ascension Recovery Services can help you negotiate treatment center fees and can often negotiate out-of-pocket expenses for both private insurance and private pay.
At most treatment centers, private insurance is accepted and out-of-pocket costs are based more on your plan’s individual deductible and not on the treatment center’s “sticker price.”
Ascension Recovery Services can help you negotiate treatment center fees and can often negotiate out-of-pocket expenses for both private insurance and private pay.
5. SPENDING EVERY DOLLAR ON INPATIENT TREATMENT
Statistics show that there is a high relapse rate with inpatient treatment alone, and that rate greatly diminishes the longer a person is in an evidence-based treatment program.
Individuals seeking treatment should expect structured aftercare once inpatient treatment has been completed. Some of these services may be covered under private insurance (PHP, IOP, Individual counseling, etc.), while others will require out-of-pocket costs (Sober Living, monitoring programs, etc.).
Quality treatment centers will focus on structured aftercare to give their clients the best chance of success. When planning treatment options, it is important to consider the potential total cost for a year of treatment programming and to ensure that whatever your budget is, it’s not all spent on the inpatient treatment portion.
Individuals seeking treatment should expect structured aftercare once inpatient treatment has been completed. Some of these services may be covered under private insurance (PHP, IOP, Individual counseling, etc.), while others will require out-of-pocket costs (Sober Living, monitoring programs, etc.).
Quality treatment centers will focus on structured aftercare to give their clients the best chance of success. When planning treatment options, it is important to consider the potential total cost for a year of treatment programming and to ensure that whatever your budget is, it’s not all spent on the inpatient treatment portion.
