- When researching addiction treatment centers, they may start to sound similar, but don’t make the mistake of assuming all treatment options are created equally and choosing one at random.
- The best addiction treatment center is the option that’s best for you or the person you care about—and the answer is different based on the individual. Watch out for anyone who claims they have a one-size-fits-all program that works for everyone. It doesn’t exist.
- At the same time, don’t be surprised if it takes a few attempts at rehab to find what works and what doesn’t. Find out what to do when rehab doesn’t work.
What’s the First Step To Choosing an Addiction Treatment Program?
If you’re reading this post, you’ve likely reached the point where you or someone you care about has recognized the need for help with drug or alcohol addiction. Let’s slow down for a second and recognize this step as a significant milestone on the road to recovery. Even if this is not the first time acknowledging the need for addiction treatment, that’s okay. For plenty of people, several rounds of treatment are part of the recovery journey, even those who go on to achieve their sobriety goals.
Whether it’s the first time or tenth time, the first step to selecting an addiction treatment program is realizing that you need one, and while it’s an instrumental step, that doesn’t mean you should go rushing to the first rehab facility you find. Instead, once you’ve acknowledged the need for help, the next step is to take a look at what specifically you or the person you care about needs to facilitate recovery.
Common misconception: All addiction treatment programs are roughly the same, and you don’t need to spend much time researching options.
Current reality: While addiction treatment websites can all start to sound similar, an important part of the research process is to cut through the clutter and identify what really sets different treatment centers and programs apart.
Read more: Common addiction myths and misconceptions.
What Is the Best Treatment for Drug Addiction?
Important note: While you shouldn’t rush to enter the first treatment center you find, the need to find help becomes more urgent when the issue has become life-threatening. In that case, a professional intervention is almost always necessary, and part of intervention preparation involves selecting an addiction treatment program should the subject of the intervention choose to accept help.
If you’re searching for the best treatment for drug addiction, the truth is that there isn’t one. The “best” treatment varies from individual to individual, and strategies that facilitate recovery in one individual may trigger setbacks in others—it largely depends on how you got here and where you plan to go next.
How To Find the Right Rehab Facility
When searching for the right rehab facility, make sure to consider these critical factors as they significantly impact the overall recovery experience and treatment outcomes:
6 Questions To Ask When Choosing an Addiction Treatment Program
When trying to understand what sets different addiction treatment programs apart, ask these questions as you research options:
1. How Long Does Treatment Last?
It’s common for addiction treatment centers to follow fixed 30-, 60-, and 90-day treatment timelines. Remember, however, that not everyone recovers from addiction at the same pace. While 30 days is often the minimum time recommended for treatment, some people may require ongoing treatment that extends beyond the three-month mark. For extreme or complex cases of addiction, it may be worthwhile to note whether the program offers extended treatment options before finalizing a decision.
2. Do They Offer Sober Transportation Options?
For individuals recovering from addiction, the highest risk times are not those in the treatment centers—it’s when they are traveling to or from treatment, believing the addiction is now under control. It’s at these times when sober transportation is almost as important as treatment. If you or someone you care about is at a heightened risk of relapse when traveling to or from treatment, programs that offer sober transportation options provide the best support.
3. How Does the Program Approach Life Responsibilities Outside of Treatment?
When someone is struggling with addiction, it is common to use day-to-day responsibilities as a reason to avoid treatment. When that happens, it may be worth finding a treatment program that helps an individual balance their normal life routine while getting the help they need. Common responsibilities someone may use to delay treatment include:
- Paying bills
- Taking care of pets
- Job responsibilities
- Family life
If any of these responsibilities have become a reason not to get help, finding treatment options that account for them can eliminate a crucial barrier to recovery.
4. What Treatment Modalities Do They Offer?
What is a treatment modality? Treatment modalities are the clinical term used to describe the different types of treatment for individuals struggling with mental issues. Put simply, they’re treatment options, approaches, or methods.
Programs that use a diverse range of treatment modalities are generally more successful, as they can be more easily tailored to the individual. With more treatment options comes more program flexibility.
5. What Is the Approach to Aftercare?
Along with the time spent between treatment programs, the time after formal treatment ends is another period of heightened risk of relapse. That’s largely due to the fact that treatment centers provide a safe, sterile environment for individuals to get sober and begin to deal with the underlying issues at the root of their addiction.
However, because the skills and tools learned during treatment are learned and practiced in a controlled environment, they don’t always translate to sobriety in the real world. That’s when aftercare becomes critical to bridge the gap between treatment and real life. If a program doesn’t offer aftercare support, the chance of successful recovery decreases. On the other hand, extending aftercare treatment results in more positive outcomes.
6. Are Family Members Empowered to Be Part of Recovery?
Since addiction is often a family problem, family members should be part of the solution when they can positively contribute to recovery. However, not all treatment programs encourage a family-oriented approach. If that’s important to you, check what resources different treatment programs provide family members at the various stages of recovery before selecting the right option for your goals.
What Sets ALYST Apart From Addiction Treatment Centers?
Wondering what sets ALYST Health apart from other treatment options? Here’s a chart that describes the differences:
| Outpatient Treatment | Residential Treatment | ALYST Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric care from a licensed doctor | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Psychotherapeutic sessions | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Family & couples therapy | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Comprehensive case management | ❓ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Coordination of care | ❓ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| 24/7 care & support | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Medication oversight | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Breathalyzer checks | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Confidentiality | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| HIPAA-compliant telemedicine platforms | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Privacy | ❓ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| One-to-one services from a recovery agent | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Sober transport | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Executive coaches | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Nutritionists | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Personal trainers | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| From the comfort of your own home | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Ability to continue daily routine | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Breath work teachers | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
Discover what else sets our approach apart.
