What to look for in an alcohol rehab center

You should consider an alcohol rehab center’s accreditation, effectiveness, and programming type before enrollment. More on each here.

3
minute read
By Jessica Hannah

When you or a loved one are faced with the harsh realities of alcohol addiction, it’s essential to find a program that addresses the fundamental issues which are causing these behaviors. Every person’s situation is unique and requires individual consideration in order to devise a treatment approach which is most likely to succeed. However, it can be challenging to find a rehab center and treatment program without knowing what to look for.

Here, we review what to look for in an alcohol rehab center. The following may be of some assistance in finding the right facility for you or your loved one’s needs. Then, we invite your questions about choosing and alcohol rehab at the end.

1. Accreditation

This is priority number one, don’t just assume. You want the program to be accredited and licensed. Then you will need to check out the staff. Are they qualified? Are they well-trained, accredited and licensed health professional and addiction specialists? You want them to have a high success rate. Rehab can be pricey so you want to know that you are investing wisely.

2. Effectiveness

Is the program effective or do patients have to keep coming back? Find out what their treatments are and research their effectiveness. Do they provide services after you have completed the program?

Relapse can be inevitable for some poorly designed programs. The stresses of everyday activities can be overwhelming once you get back to reality. You want the aftercare services to prevent relapse. Does it provide referrals to support groups in the community? Will there be a staff member collaborating with you about your discharge and life after rehab?

3. Programs

There is more than one alcohol treatment program. Types of programs offered in an alcohol center include:

Counseling – Addiction counseling can be individual, group or family but does not usually work best by itself; instead, psychotherapy works well in conjunction with other methods.

Hospitalization – This normally only occurs partially. A stay in the hospital is designed for people that need ongoing medical monitoring but also a have stable living situation.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) – Intensive Outpatient Programs require a major time commitment but it is not a live-in treatment. The schedule usually includes meeting for at least three days a week for 2-4 hours a day. This program focuses on avoiding relapse, schedules run around work and school. It’s a great program as you learn to defeat your habit without having to escape your environment.

ResidentialResidential treatment involves living in a rehab center whilst undergoing intensive treatment throughout the day.

Sober living – This is what occurs after intensive treatments. You live together with other recovering alcoholics. These people are going through the same process as you; it can be great to have other people around that understand the struggle.

Intervention – This service includes a brief intervention for people at the risk of alcohol abuse.

Finally, don’t be afraid to contact rehab centers directly for more information about their approach to alcohol addiction treatment. Doing your homework in the early stages of addressing addiction will significantly increase the chances of yourself or a loved one overcoming the illness and moving forward with life.

About the Author – This post was written by Jessica Hannah, in consultation with Malibu Horizon.
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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