When someone decides that they’re ready to get help for their issues with drug or alcohol abuse, it’s a watershed moment. It can be tempting to get them into the first treatment center that can accept them — before they change their mind or lose their nerve.
While acting quickly is important, it’s also key to take a breath and give yourself space to find a treatment center that is a good fit for you or your loved one. Finding a treatment center that aligns with your lifestyle and values will make you more comfortable. In turn, that will help you to focus on your recovery and make swift progress.
Here are 6 questions to ask before getting treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Answering these honestly — either to yourself or the people you love — can help you succeed in treatment.
What Do You Want out of Treatment?
This question is deceptive. It might seem like there’s an easy answer — of course, what you want out of treatment is to get your drug or alcohol use under control.
However, it is more nuanced than that. Think about what’s causing you to abuse drugs or alcohol. If it’s trauma from your youth, you might need a trauma-informed treatment center. If it’s stress from your corporate job, you should choose a treatment center that is experienced in helping executives handle their addiction. Knowing the larger goal of treatment can help you find the treatment center that is right for you.
Would You Like To Go Away, or Continue Living at Home?
When people think of rehab, most picture a 30-, 60-, or 90-day facility where they can live and get treatment. This is called in-patient treatment. Many people find that in-patient treatment is effective because it allows them to step away from the day-to-day stressors of life and focus on their recovery in a sort of bubble. For many people, in-person treatment is an effective option.
However, it’s not the only option. There are day treatment programs that allow you to address your disease during the day, and return home to your family and your bed at night. These are called intensive outpatient treatment programs. In addition, there are more individualized treatment plans — an executive treatment plan allows you to work with a sober coach without interrupting your career, for example.
What Spiritual Aspect or Treatment is Right for You?
Many rehab facilities, though not all of them, have some sort of spiritual aspect to treatment. It’s important to choose a facility that aligns with your beliefs, since nurturing the spiritual side is an important part of recovery for many people.
Many rehabs draw on eastern philosophies, incorporating meditations, yoga and mindfulness into healing. Others pair these with Christian theology. Centers that are based on the 12 steps allow you to identify whatever higher power you believe in.
What Three Things Will Make You More Comfortable in Rehab?
Your comfort is important, because it will allow you to focus on your recovery. Think about what will make the biggest difference in your comfort level in rehab. Is it a private room, where you can spend time alone after a long day? A stellar gym where you can work up a sweat and work off your frustrations? Or a delicious chef-inspired meal that meets all your dietary requirements? When you know what will make you most comfortable, choose a facility with those options.
Do You Want Access to Medication-Asisted Treatment?
Most treatment centers use medication to assist with detox and recovery in some form. Think about what role you want medication-assisted treatment to play in your recovery, and choose a treatment center that has a similar philosophy.
What Underlying Health Issues Are at Play in Your Addiction?
Addiction never occurs in a vacuum. You probably already know that there are factors at play in your life that contribute to your addiction. Finding a treatment center that is experienced addressing these can help you ensure that you get to the root cause of your addiction so that you can stay sober for good.
For example, if you have a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health condition, you’ll want a treatment center that is adept at treatment co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. A trauma-informed center can help you learn to cope with your past.
Choosing the right treatment center is critical. It can help you get the most out of treatment, and set a solid foundation for your life in recovery.
Sober Partners provides residential treatment in Newport Beach, California. Get more information at their website, by calling 855-982-3247, or on Facebook.
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