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NICD Exclusive
Article by Dr. Wallick, NICD Board Member
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NICD Exclusive Article- The following article discusses finding a quality TREATMENT CENTER. Halfway Houses, Treatment Centers, Agencies, etc. Click on the following link to: List your Treatment Center, Halfway House, Agency at NICD to get your program/services listed on our nationally respected NICD Website. Click Here... to view a detailed outline of our NICD Addiction News Magazine demographics, subscribers short-list, and other information. View our page on how to get your book, agency, services listed on our Nationally respected magazine about addictions, treatment, intervention, recovery, family issues, and so much more. See our overview of subscribers, and other important facts concerning our free addiction magazine. Choosing a Treatment Center By
Mitchell E. Wallick, Ph.D, CAP, CMHC, ICADC, FABFCE, Executive
Director CARE Inc., http://www.careflorida.com/
Mitchw@careflorida.com
, NICD Board Member For more information on Dr. Wallick see the NICD Board
So now you are on the internet. You have done a search and literally
hundreds of treatment centers have popped up. Amazing, each and
every one of them purports to be the very best program for you. Everybody
has a great web site. How do you know what program is really
right for you?
The first step is facing reality. Treatment can be very
expensive. One of the things we have to face in recovery is
accepting the fact that we sometimes have to make choices based on
the resources that are available to us. Sad, but true, you are
going to have to eliminate those programs you cannot afford.
Check your resources: Insurance is always a good beginning. Do
you have any? What portion of your treatment will they cover?
What specific programs will they cover? (If your policy is an HMO
save yourself time and effort and call them first.) If you don’t
have insurance, and/or don’t like what they have to offer you can
always take the next step. Remember also that just because your
policy covers treatment, it does not necessarily mean that they will
approve treatment once you arrive. Always ask the treatment
center to guarantee in writing your maximum out of pocket expenses.
(Be sure to ask about hidden costs. Are MD visits, medications,
field trips, medications etc. extra?) Many programs offer discounted
or scholarship rates to those that pay for themselves. Don’t
be embarrassed to ask. Finally, how much of a commitment must I
make? If the program is not for me how much, if any, of my
tuition will be refunded?
Next step is to decide what you can afford for treatment. Remember
depending on your situation your other expenses may be continuing
while you are in treatment. Once you have determined what you
can afford to pay for treatment, you can eliminate all those
wonderful places that you may not be able to afford. Equally
important is deciding what it is that you are looking for in a
treatment facility. Remember this is a not a vacation, so make your
decisions based on the quality of care, not on your ability to
Para-sail or play golf. Here are some important things to look for: What
is the size of the program? Some people like small intimate
programs. Others prefer large name brand centers. The choice is
really yours. I
have found over the years that most people do much better at places
where they will receive lots of individual attention. Smaller
programs generally do this. Good questions to ask are: What
is the size of the group? What
is the client to counselor ratio? What
is the staff to client ratio? How
many groups will I have a week? How
many individual sessions will I have a week?
Another issue is the quality of the program. Who is the staff? What
are their credentials? Are they certified, licensed etc. How often
will I see these people? Who runs the groups? (Some programs
have great consulting staff, but unfortunately the patient’s spend
their entire time in group with mental health technicians whose only
qualification is a two or less years of personal sobriety.) If you
feel you have a dual diagnosis, ask about a psychiatrist, mental
health counselors or clinical social workers. Is the program
properly licensed? How long has the program been in operation?
Can I come and look at the program before I make a commitment? (Even
if you can’t, ask anyway, because that is a good way to find out
if what is being told to you is true, or if the program is hiding
something.)
What about accommodations? Ask about the facility’s physical
plant. How many people will be in my room? How many people
will share a bathroom? What amenities are in the apartment? (Cable
TV, Washer Dryer etc.)
How is the program supervised? What staff is available if I
have a problem in the middle of the night? What
about food? How is it prepared? Will I be able to select my own
menu, or must I eat what I am served. If
I require detoxification, how will that work? Is it done at the
facility or somewhere else? How much will that cost?
(Detoxification is generally a separate cost) Ask
about any special needs you may have? Dual diagnosis, Court
Involvement and help, nutrition, personal needs such as physical
assistance. Check on phone policies, internet etc. Many
programs for therapeutic reasons limit access to the outside world. You
must ask yourself if you can live with this. Finally
make sure to ask about program philosophy and goals. Everybody
will tell you about sobriety, but how are they going to get you
there? Are they confrontive? Are they non- confrontive? Do they use
cognitive therapy? Do they have specialists using other modalities
that might be helpful to you? Don’t
worry about taking the time of the program’s representative. That
is their job. If they seem rushed and/or high pressure that will
tell you about their motivation and how you will probably be treated
once you arrive. Also ask yourself what kind of questions they are
asking you? Are they looking to make sure you are appropriate, or
are they just trying to fill a bed in their program whether it will
work for you or not? The answers to these questions, combined with
your feeling about the program, after you have talked to someone on
the phone, will help you determine the program(s) that will meet
your needs. Once
you have decided on a program, immediately make arrangements for
your admission. The sooner you enter treatment the less time
you will have to spend worrying about it. Also, the less time
your problem will have to get you into more serious trouble. Once
you decide, don’t wait, just do it! At
the time of admission reconfirm your costs. Make sure you understand
fully what your financial obligation is going to be. Ask what
you should and should not bring along. If you are taking
medications, it is always a good idea to bring them with you. Even
if the program you are going to provides you with medication, you
can always make arrangements for them to hold what you are taking,
just in case you leave suddenly or they don’t happen to have what
you need in their pharmacy.
Prior to leaving let your family and everyone else that might be
contacting you know where you will be and how long you might be out
of touch. Appoint one member of your family whom you trust to be the
spokesperson to contact the program if you want the family to know
how you are doing.
Get directions! If you are arriving by public transportation,
make sure you have made arrangements to get from the bus stop,
airport etc. to the program. Most programs will be happy to
pick you up. Be certain that you know the procedure. Make up your mind to accept and cooperate with your counselors and program directions. Put on a good attitude…and the only thing left is to begin your new quality sober life.
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Check out some of our other articles and services by clicking on the links below:
List your Halfway House, Treatment Center, Substance Abuse Agency How to find a quality Halfway House in the United States Government Substance Abuse Agencies How to Open a Halfway House / Recovery Home
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