Drug Rehab Centers

Drug Rehab Centers

To Find a Treatment Facility, First Browse to a State or City, And Then Use the Filters to Narrow Your Results


 

How to Locate a Drug, Alcohol Rehabilitation Center

National Rehabilitation Centers is an online resource for locating alcohol and drug addiction treatment centers using multiple criteria. For example, you may need to locate a center that has opioid addiction treatment options, accepts medicaid, and speaks Spanish, all in a particular state. To do this, please follow these steps:

STEP #1: Begin by choosing a state from the map above.

STEP #2: You may begin to refine at the state level, or click on a city if you are searching in a more specific area.

STEP #3: Use the filters on the right side of the site to choose selections. When you pick multiple selections in a single box, you are saying “this OR this”. But when you select checkboxes from a second box, it is saying “AND”.

For example: Under “Primary Focus” box, select “Drug & Alcohol Abuse Treatment Services” and also “Psychological Health & Drug/Alcohol Abuse Services.” This says you are looking for either of these two choices. Then, under the next box “Services Provided” pick “Detox” and “Sober-Living House”

So this means you are looking for a program that offers:

“Drug & Alcohol Abuse Treatment Services” OR “Psychological Health & Drug/Alcohol Abuse Services”

AND

“Detox” OR “Sober-Living House”

 


20 Factors to Help You Choose the Best Drug Rehab Center for You


Donald L Moore: Drug and alcohol counselor.

Going into a drug rehabilitation center, especially for the first time, is going to be one of the most significant events of your life. Whatever treatment center you choose- or is chosen for you- you must have clarity on your motivations, the nature of your addiction, your attitude toward treatment, the robustness of your support network and more.

Likewise, there are things you should know about the drug rehab treatment center you are entering into. You will want to know whether or not the treatments the program offers are a good fit for you. You will also need to know whether or not you will be able to afford the treatment you’re signing up for. Also, you will need to ascertain whether or not the facility you are headed for has a reputation for success and that it is competitive.

Overall, the most important thing is that you enter into treatment in the right frame of mind. The overwhelmingly most important factor determining a person’s chance of overcoming addiction is a persistent determination to succeed. However, motivation can be a fragile thing. Going in under-informed or unprepared can sink your motivation quickly- especially when the temptation to relapse becomes a factor.

Knowing yourself is the key to success and happiness in life. Not surprisingly, self-knowledge also matters when it comes to recovering from addiction. Likewise, knowledge of those who would offer treatment will also be important. In the next two sections, we will list 10 questions to ask yourself, and prospective treatment programs, before you commit your time, money, and health to their care.

The first 10 questions address your individual needs, and the second 10 address specific drug rehab center criteria, requirements, and client focus.

Also, at the end of the article, we include free worksheets (and no email or signup required) that you can download for personal use in answering the self-questionnaire and for researching facilities!

 

10 Questions to Ask Yourself While Researching Drug Rehab Centers

When it comes to addiction and recovery, the most important factor by far is you. How strong is your addiction? How strong is your will to recover? Answering these questions will help you to know whether your efforts to defeat addiction will succeed. Our advice is to answer each question in a journal in at least one sentence. This will give you a clear idea of where you stand personally, prior to entering treatment.

1. Did you have an especially strong response the first time you use your drug of choice?

We know that with alcohol especially, some people have a very strong initial reaction the first time they try it. With alcohol, it’s especially noticeable. Most people respond with an increased sense of relaxation and social ease. But those who are prone to alcohol abuse and addiction feel energized and euphoric almost immediately.

If you had an unusually thrilling or “positive” initial reaction to your drug of choice, then it is safe to say that your connection to that substance is going to be especially challenging to break. What it means is that your biology is unique in that it gives you more positive reinforcement when you consume that particular drug.

Those who have a special “affinity” for certain drugs are exposed to a significantly higher risk of addiction and are far more likely to fail when attempting to recover. If you feel you have an especially high proclivity to use a certain substance and have a history of abusing that substance, you should seek professional treatment as soon as possible. Also, you should tell the intake and counseling staff about your proclivity for your drug of choice. It could make all the difference.

 

2. What is your motivation for entering into treatment?

Obviously, there will be a significant difference in success rates for those who seek treatment of their own accord compared to those who are compelled by the legal system to enter treatment.

Neurobiology contains an important part of the explanation for this. When we react to a challenge reluctantly we tend to do so while motivated by fear. But when we take on a challenge pro-actively and with a sense of courage, our biology gives us a higher chance of success. It is an effect that martial artists and athletes have known about for thousands of years. When we commit to an action and choose to accept the uncertainty of the outcome, our chances of success are multiplied.

When you enter into treatment, it is important that the decision is your own- and that you are doing it for the right reasons. If a person is court ordered to seek treatment- this can be problematic. Still, one should do one’s best to seek treatment not to please others, not to avoid punishment- but to obtain a higher quality of life, health, and happiness.

 

3. What is the nature of your addiction?

It will be important for you to recall and come to terms with the way you became a substance abuser or addict. What were the social motivations and internal motivations? How vulnerable might you be to a relapse if exposed to the people, places, and things that were present when you started using?

Of course, the type of substance you have become addicted to, its nature, and the situations which contributed to your being led to it are important. Some people can overcome addiction by having the rewards it offers replaced with more meaningful rewards like career success, social success, and so on.

It could be that all you need to overcome addiction is to replace your drug of choice with more meaningful rewards. Of course, it can take a person decades to find the right type and amount of quality rewards to get them to quit using for good. If you can answer this question about the nature of your addiction at an early stage, your chances of success could be much greater.

 

4. Do you have an external support network?

We’re all familiar with what it means to have a support network. It means you have people around you or available to you who can offer emotional and/or logistical support as you work toward recovery.

All too often, immediate family become the default external support system- while old friends tend to serve as a kind of anti-recovery influence. When this is the case, the user tends to wear out their welcome with family. They borrow money, crash on couches, or even steal from their relatives until the support system naturally withdraws itself from the user. Ideally, an external support system will be made up of people whom the recovering addict/abuser respects and craves approval.

Many believe they have an external support system, when in fact what they have is an enablement system. Enablers offer money, shelter, and other resources that make substance abuse easier to fall back into. True supporters have to be willing to let the addict fail. Think, tough love. That’s what a true external support system offers. “Discipline” is not a popular word today, but it is as vital as ever.

In fact, several studies support this. In one small, non-randomized-control study they attempted to “determine whether a peer‐support community programme would reduce relapse rates among clients recovering from substance addictions and homelessness and result in increased perceived community affiliation, supportive behaviors, self‐determination and quality of life.” Using a variety of measurements such as interviews, tests, and observation, they found that there was a “Significant reduction of risk of relapse” as well as recovery from homelessness in those patients participating in the program.  

An Australian study of 308 clients points out that earlier studies focused more on individual analysis of change, while newer studies are beginning to show the value of social groups and networks towards making change.

Social support benefits not only addiction recovery, but can even help recover from serious mental illness (remember than many patients are going to be dual-diagnosis).  This was demonstrated in a study of 153 patients, they found that social support “may support recovery” and activities of any kind, as well as social support,

5. Do you have an internal support system?

You’re probably aware that many addiction treatment programs include a religious component where recovering addicts are encouraged to lean on a “higher power.” That is likely one of the most readily available internal support systems people have, but it doesn’t have to be the only one.

Other examples of an internal motivation system can stem from one’s talents, passions, interests, and so on. Some people love to play Chess, for example. Such a person may have an undeveloped talent for the game. In this instance, developing that talent- studying Chess seriously- and becoming involved in a competitive Chess community could be a direct route to replace the addiction with a much more meaningful system of rewards.

Of course, it could be anything you love or are interested in. People find meaning through an admixture of challenge and passion. Whatever it is you are most interested in might be a great asset to your recovery, if you’re willing to develop yourself in that direction.

Religious beliefs work great as well. That’s why 12 step programs rely on them so heavily. Some people can overcome addiction with heavy reliance on an internal support system. Dr. David Hamilton summarizes Italian researcher Fabrizio Benedetti findings which show placebo painkillers can be very effective, and that perhaps the effects are real, not imagined. If you have a latent internal support systemavailable to you, start developing it now!

Such changes are not limited to mental effects, as several studies show that a person can increase their physical strength just by thinking about it, and the results are nearly as effective as using real weights.

 

6. Can you afford treatment?

Of course, it cannot be denied that obtaining meaningful professional help in recovering from addiction is going to be expensive. For those who are court ordered to attend treatment, and cannot afford it on their own, assistance will probably be made available.

Most alcohol and drug treatment centers understand that addiction is often financially debilitating and that many people suffering from addiction will struggle to pay for the service.

There may also be a number of local aid programs, government agencies, or online charities which may be willing to help pay for your treatment in part or in whole. Churches are often a good place to start. The facility you are considering may also have a social worker who can connect you with a range of payment assistance organizations.

 

7. What is the proximity of your abuse triggers?

No history of abuse and addiction happens in a vacuum. It takes time, exposure, and a complex social and cultural framework to trigger and sustain the addiction process. Certainly, it is possible for an isolated person to obtain and abuse a controlled substance- but this is far and away one of the most unusual paths to addiction.

Therefore, the chances are good that the people, situations, and other triggers that make use and abuse more likely to happen are quite close and interwoven with your immediate living conditions. It could be your spouse, a group of friends, an intimate partner, coworkers or any number of social and circumstantial factors that trigger and support an addiction.

When it comes to achieving a full and lasting recovery, distancing yourself from these common triggers will almost certainly be an indispensable component of your success. Needless to say, difficulty replacing this network of triggering influences can be a substantial barrier to recovery.

 

8. Do you have an affinity for addiction & abuse culture?

The use and abuse of drugs, alcohol, and other controlled substances are frequently glorified or at least portrayed sympathetically in film, popular music, and art. The unfortunate result of this is that many people look on drug use and related themes and situations as romantic, exciting, or compelling in some way.

The substance abuser has embarked on a twisted form of the hero’s journey where much of the antagonism comes from within. The story of the mythical drug user is fraught with intrigue. It offers a powerful allure for those with an affinity for it.

A substance abuser with an affinity for the romance of drug culture faces a formidable barrier to recovery. It is one that will require a deep understanding of the self and an intense desire to change. Those who are so aligned may require cognitive therapy, or other intensive and long term psychological treatment to change this destructive world view.

It may even require the complete abandonment of familiar art and music that could trigger a relapse.

 

9. Can you re-imagine your life without drugs or alcohol?

Part and parcel with the previous question and the one before it, is this; can you imagine your life without drugs or alcohol? It is somewhat of a truism that if we can imagine a thing, it is within the realm of possibility.

Those who use and abuse substances often struggle to imagine living a normal life where addictive substances are not an everyday reality. But no major, positive life change is likely to manifest if we cannot visualize it.

Take the time to sit down and imagine your life without drugs or alcohol. Write down a description of such a life in as much detail as you can muster. Do this knowing that goals which you cannot imagine cannot be actively worked towards.

If you follow through with your plan to seek treatment, and still cannot imagine living without substances of abuse- talk it over with your counselors. They should recommend a therapeutic setting where painting a picture of a drug-free life is encouraged.

 

10. Do you have a replacement reward system, or can you create one?

Hopefully, by now, you’re starting to notice a running theme. The reason for this is that recent research on rewards and replacements has had a profound impact on the way we look at drug abuse and addiction treatment.

Studies with mice have found that given mouse will seek a drug reward even if it means that the animal has to endure deadly exposure to an electrified panel in order to obtain it. However, when the mouse has healthy alternatives, including access to other mice, enjoyable activity, and the like- the mouse will more often than not abandon the drug receptacle for the healthier, higher quality reward.

Of course, humans are not mice- but we do have a lot in common with them on a biological level. So researchers have hypothesized that if offered superior social stimulus, career opportunities, artistic expression opportunities, or other motivating factors- humans can replace addiction with better reward systems.

For us, this means making life-choice changes that lead us to a better, more naturally rewarding way of life. What this might mean for you is an intensely personal question. Because the road to recovery begins in the mind, the time to start imagining alternatives is now.

 

*Now, before going on to the next section- if you are seeking treatment for yourself- we recommend answering the above questions in writing in a private journal. Once you have done that, you will have much more success following through in seeking answers for the next section.

 

10 Things to Know About A Prospective Treatment Facility

The second most important factor in addiction and recovery is the environment in which you will be working to achieve freedom from substance dependency. Now that you have obtained a clear idea of your internal condition regarding recovery, answering the following questions might help you to have an optimal chance of entering into the best treatment facility available.

1. Does the program suit your needs?

No two addiction treatment facilities are identical. Even two facilities belonging to the same organization will differ due to the nature of the location, staffing, and the facility itself.

Some people prefer faith-based recovery services and some prefer a secular program. Some people will need to stay close to home, and others would be better off far from familiar influences. Some programs and facilities do a better job at catering to those with physical or mental disabilities, while others are better suited to those without comorbid conditions.

The location itself and the culture of the people may also be important to you. If you live in California, for example- going to the east coast for treatment can be like visiting a foreign country. If that would present a stressor, then staying closer to home might be a good idea.

Also, those who love the outdoors may feel claustrophobic in a program located in the middle of a city. Factors like these should be kept in mind when choosing a program.

 

2. How does the treatment you need compare to those of other facilities?

As mentioned above, different people will do better in different types of facilities and programs. But if you find a program that appeals to you, it still might not offer the highest quality of treatment in the area you need help the most.

The particular service you need may either not be offered by a given program- or it may be inferior to comparable services rendered by another facility. Consider your specific treatment needs. You may require detox facilities, cognitive therapy, or both. But one facility that specializes in one may not offer the other. Your priority should be to check into a program that excels at the type of treatment that you need most. Do a bit of research to see what their success rate is in the type of treatment you need.

Seek out the best fit for your highest priority need first.

 

3. How comprehensive is the initial assessment?

You will undergo an initial assessment when you enroll. Ideally, you should know precisely what the assessment process includes. To help ensure the best results, you want to enroll in a program that has as comprehensive an assessment process as possible.

Many people suffering from addiction will have what is called co-occurring disorders. This might be a mental illness or a chronic pain condition that contributes to the addictive complex. If such a condition is not detected during the initial assessment, then the program will not be able to adequately serve your needs.

Mentioned above, in the section about questions you should ask yourself, there were a few things that are important- but which many rehab programs might simply ignore. An affinity for drug culture is a good example. You might mention having an affinity for drug culture and get an indifferent response.

But moreover, you do not want to enter a program that does not offer a complete assessment. Most will be adequate, but the more comprehensive the assessment, the better.

 

4. Does the program include detox treatment?

Even if you do not require detox treatment, going to a program that offers one may be a good idea. Detox is a potentially dangerous process that requires the strict supervision of medical professionals who specialize in this form of treatment.

Going to a drug treatment program that offers detox increases the likelihood that other medically based treatments will be performed and supervised by highly trained and experienced professionals.

Naturally, for those who require the services of a detox program, going to a drug rehab center that does not offer one would represent a failure on many levels. If you have the option to choose a program with a detox component, it is best to choose the one with the best record of success available. This is not only a matter of obtaining the best chances of overcoming addiction, but it is also important for your personal health and safety.

 

5. Do they have personalized treatment plans?

As suggested in the first section, no substance abuse condition and no individual suffering from such a condition is like any other. The ways in which people become addicted are different, personal, and unique. Likewise, the best drug abuse treatment programs will tailor a treatment program specifically to suit individual patients. There is no one size fits all treatment for addiction.

What’s more, the more flexibility a program has in how it tailors treatment programs to individuals the more comprehensive and effective it will tend to be. In other words, programs that have the resources to create specialized treatment plans will also have the broadest array of services.

This is important because as a person works through recovery, they may sometimes find they need services that they did not initially anticipate. Still, it is wise to make sure ahead of time that the treatment you need most should be rendered in a professional manner and in a way that is competitive with other drug treatment centers.

 

6. Is nutrition considered a key element of recovery?

Recovering from addiction is all about your health. When it comes to maintaining and improving health- healing and nutrition are key. Without adequate sleep and a complete diet rich in nutrient dense foods- your physical condition will suffer.

While many may not be well attuned to their nutrition-related health, without high-quality food, the quality of your recovery process will be negatively affected. Poor nutrition can cause lethargy, brain fog, an increased propensity to become sick, and- worst of all- an elevated tendency to succumb to disease.

Supplying a large group of people with high quality, nutritious food is a serious challenge. For this reason and others, food quality is one of the first areas where many drug and alcohol treatment centers will cut corners.

You may feel self-conscious when asking about the quality of the food. But remember, you are not asking because you are hoping to bask in luxury. You are asking because you want to have access to proper nutrition to optimize your ability to meet the daily mental and physical challenges of recovery.

 

7. What are my payment options?

The cost of addiction treatment, unfortunately, is a serious matter for consideration for everyone except the very wealthy. Often times, the patient’s insurance will cover a large portion of the cost of the program. Still, sometimes the insurer will not want to work with a given treatment center – and some drug treatment centers will not work with certain insurers. What’s more, your insurance provider may fail or refuse to pay for certain types of treatment.

If your insurance provider will not pay for the treatment type that you need most, it may be necessary to look for other options. Before signing anything or making any commitment, it is necessary to do some research and find out how well your insurance provider and the drug treatment centers you are considering will work together.

As mentioned above, you may have other payment options. If you turn to a government assistance program or charity, getting the payer to coordinate with the drug treatment center might be a challenge. Even if you have the money to pay out of pocket, the program may insist on working through an insurance program. So, it’s important to know what your options are at an early stage.

 

8. How well trained are the staff and medical professionals?

Many substance abuse and addiction treatment centers rely heavily on the help of persons who themselves have recovered from addiction. There’s nothing wrong with this. In fact, many addiction patients feel more comfortable telling their personal stories to someone who has been through similar experiences. However, this can go too far- and occasionally–some treatment centers will prefer personal experience with addiction to more rigorous qualifications.

Any facility should have medically trained professionals and accredited counselors. In the final analysis, the most important thing is that the program you enroll in has a high rate of success.

They should be recommended by reputable professionals in addiction treatment, and they should have a long list of positive reviews from former patients. Search online for reviews outside of the drug treatment center’s website for objective appraisals of the overall quality of the program and the professionalism of its staff.

 

9. What kinds of ongoing support are available?

It can be easy to forget or disregard what happens after the treatment program is complete. This is a mistake. Ongoing support and care is often the most important part of the addiction treatment process.

After graduating from the inpatient program, returning to the outside world can feel like a sudden flood of temptations. If we have not properly disengaged from the lifestyle and influences that led to addiction and substance abuse in the first place, relapse is all too likely.

Before enrolling in the program, ask about the kinds of ongoing support they offer. Do they have an alumni program? Will you have the opportunity to keep in touch with a valued therapist or counselor? Are there support groups recommended by the program to which you can be directed?

Find out early if there is support for those who may experience a relapse. Also, ask if there are extended stays available for those who need them. It’s best if you can ascertain this information up front. However, it can be difficult to think this far ahead when embarking on your journey to recovery.

Completing the process of recovery can be a matter of life and death. That means it’s critically important that you be able to return and complete any unfinished treatment if needed.

 

10. Is mental health treatment available?

Much of what it means to be addicted is psychological. Therefore, it only stands to reason that serious consideration should be given to mental disorders and conditions that people suffering from addiction may have.

Even if you have no history of mental illness, it is wise to seek treatment at a facility where mental health services are on offer. There are a number of reasons this may become important, even if you do not expect to suffer from a mental or emotional issue.

Being in a restrictive facility, far away from friends and family can be especially disconcerting. People can experience bouts of depression or anxiety. Persons coming down from a long period of regular drug abuse can become suicidal, or experience hostile tendencies. If the facility you enroll in is not equipped to handle bouts of mental illness- they may be ill-equipped to handle the full process of addiction treatment.

It is rare that an addiction treatment center would admit someone with a mental illness if they are not prepared to work with such a person. But that does not alleviate the possibility of needing such services.

As stated above, seeking the help of a program with the widest possible list of services is always a good idea.

 

 

In Conclusion

By now, you should understand that your willingness to complete the program- and more importantly, your determination- are your most important assets on the road to recovery. Even the best program cannot help those who do not wish to overcome addiction. And even the most determined recovering substance abuser will be severely challenged in a non-supportive or malformed recovery environment.

To have the best chance of success, assess yourself and the treatment center you are considering. There is no such thing as a perfect recovery, but with hard work and determination- you will have the best possible chance for success.

 

Download Worksheets for Offline Use (or Printing)

 

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Entering Rehab

RTF format (viewable on MS Word and all processors): DOWNLOAD

PDF format (Adobe Reader which is free, but not editable): DOWNLOAD

 

10 Questions to Ask While Researching Drug Rehab Facilities

ODS format (Open Document Software Format which works on any spreadsheet software like MS Excel, LibreOffice, OpenOffice, etc…): DOWNLOAD

XLSX format (Microsoft Excel): DOWNLOAD

 


Sources:

https://www.sabinorecovery.com/nature-or-nurture-the-role-of-trauma-in-alcoholism-and-alcohol-abuse/
http://drdavidhamilton.com/how-belief-can-drive-recovery/
http://www.jneurosci.org/content/19/9/3639
https://news.berkeley.edu/2013/08/25/miceoncocaine/
https://medium.com/@akuamindbody/importance-of-good-nutrition-during-detox-and-recovery-from-addiction-cc111724155f
https://www.kent.ac.uk/chss/docs/Nutrition-and-addiction.pdf
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/high-sugar-consumption-and-poor-nutrient-intake-among-drug-addicts-in-oslo-norway/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14500111
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/oti.257
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11414-008-9151-1
https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/TC-04-2016-0012

 


Pharmacotherapy for Substance Use Disorders

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a form of pharmacotherapy and refers to any treatment for a substance use disorder that includes a pharmacologic intervention as part of a comprehensive substance abuse treatment plan with an ultimate goal of patient recovery with full social function.

In the US, MAT has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of alcohol dependence with Food and Drug Administration approved drugs such as disulfiram, naltrexone and acamprosate; and opioid dependence with methadone, naltrexone and buprenorphine.

As part of a comprehensive treatment program, MAT has been shown to:

Medications for Alcohol Dependence

Medications for Opioid Dependence

Featured Video of the Month