The first step to getting rid of an alcohol addiction problem is accepting that you have a problem. You then need to make the conscious decision to seek help because it wouldn’t be effective if you were forced to seek help by either friends or family. Rehabilitation centers tend to provide the best alcohol treatment programs so you might want to consider enrolling in one to start your journey towards getting things back on track.
The rehabilitation program you choose could go a long way in determining your future so you need to choose one that works for you. One that caters to your needs and one that you’re most comfortable in. It also needs to be a secure place where your loved ones can stay at ease knowing that you’re safe.
Finding the perfect one is never an easy task but here are a few tips that should make the whole process a lot easier.
Get a Professional Assessment
The first thing you ought to do before even embarking on your journey to find the right rehabilitation program is to get an evaluation from an American Society of Addiction Medicine certified professional. They could be a doctor, social worker, or even a psychiatrist trained in treated substance use disorders. The purpose of this evaluation is to help assess the mental health history, substance abuse history, and any other traumas that you or the patient may need to address in treatment. This way, you will know exactly what your treatment program should cover. You can also take advantage of this opportunity and ask your doctor to recommend a rehabilitation program you can join. They are in the best position to know what would suit you, and they are also very well connected so you’re sure to get some good recommendations.
Do Some Research Beforehand
It is important to remember that there are plenty of treatment options available to anyone looking for alcohol treatment so you need to do some research beforehand to identify which one is best for you. Different facilities have different programs so the intention here is to go through the programs offered by each facility and see which one satisfies your needs. The research process should be made slightly easier by the professional assessment as you already know what you’re looking for. Also, as you conduct your research, be sure to look at reviews from people who have been there as well as gauge what the public opinion about that particular center is. Positive reviews are always a good sign. However, if you find that the place has a bad reputation and people have nothing good to say about it, then you should consider other options.
Visit the Prospective Locations
Once you have done your research and narrowed your list down to a few potentials, make the effort to visit each prospective location. This allows you to see everything first hand. Remember that pictures on the internet are meant for marketing so there’s a chance that what you saw on their website is different from the real thing. If you’re choosing a rehabilitation center for yourself, you can always ask friends or family to accompany you. They will provide support and even give some advice to help with your decision. Some of the things to look out for during your visit include things like facilities, the scenery, and even weather. As insignificant as these things may sound, they will play a significant role in your recovery process. You can also take advantage and ask questions about the rehabilitation center. If you have any concerns, make sure you get them addressed to your satisfaction.
In-patient is Better Than Outpatient
It is also worth pointing out that in-patient is relatively better when it comes to alcohol treatment as compared to out-patient. This is especially the case for those that have been dealing with long-term addiction. An in-patient program provides the full experience because patients are under supervision the whole time. They follow a set schedule and have activities to keep them busy and focused on recovery. Also, they have medical help available to them round the clock in case anyone has a relapse or a severe case of withdrawal symptoms which can be common among recovering patients. In-patient also removes any distractions or temptations on the outside world that may hamper one’s recovery.
With these tips, you should be able to find the ideal rehabilitation center for you or a loved one battling alcohol abuse. To further help you make the right choice, here are two important considerations you should make before enrolling in a rehabilitation program.
Location
This is a very important factor as it plays a role in your recovery. Some people prefer programs that are far away from home while others prefer choosing a program close to home. There isn’t a right or wrong answer when it comes to this as it is all dependent on a number of factors, the most important one being what the patient wants. Some will have no problem being far away from home as they believe it provides a different environment in which they can thrive while others prefer being close to home because they feel safer. It is therefore up to you as the patient to gauge your options and see what works best. If you’re enrolling a loved one, then you should consult them on what they would prefer and then come to an agreement on what would be best for both parties.
Cost
This is another factor well worth considering. You should remember that you always get what you pay for. Therefore, if you see the fees being charged by a particular center are extremely low, there’s a good chance that their amenities and facilities are not good enough. This doesn’t mean that any facility charging a premium price is the best which is why an exploratory visit is quite critical.
We hope that this information will help you choose the right rehabilitation program either for yourself or a loved one who is battling alcohol abuse.