How much control do I have over my program at a Florida drug treatment center? If you’re thinking about attending a drug rehab program, you may have been wondering about this. Here is the answer: You will have 100 percent control over your program as long as you take the time to identify what you want and which rehabs offer it. However, once you have enrolled and are a program resident or participant, you will have very little, if any, control over your program choices. After all, it’s the facility’s program, not yours. You cannot tell them how to operate their rehab. You’re there for substance abuse rehab. Don’t expect to be treated any differently than any other client there. This is why it’s so important to choose the right treatment facility before you go or before you enroll a loved one there. If it’s nearby, ask for a tour. If they refuse, cross that place off your list. While a rehab does have to protect the confidentiality of its participants, it should still be able to offer you some kind of tour that at least gives you some idea of its quality and suitability for you. A virtual tour is acceptable, but an in-person tour is always best. The facility should have nothing to hide.
What to Consider
Before you begin to look for a drug rehab, think about what you would like your chosen place to offer. Do you want to stay near home or travel to another state? Sometimes, a new environment is very helpful for recovering addicts. It gives them a fresh perspective, is free of painful or negative memories and family distractions and allows the resident to concentrate on their recovery and only that. However, if you’d prefer to stay closer to home because you’d like to receive regular family visits, that’s acceptable, too.
What kinds of programs are you comfortable with? Do you like faith-based ones like AA? Or would you prefer more secular choices? If you’re not comfortable with AA and the rehab includes and requires this as part of their curriculum, do not go there. Many rehabs either don’t include AA at all or at least don’t require participation in it. If AA participation is optional, that’s okay. You can still go if the rest of the program is what you want.
What about alternative therapy? This may include equine and canine therapy, art, dance, creative writing and poetry, nature appreciation, yoga, meditation, massage, water therapy and biofeedback. If these appeal to you, ask about them. You should know that these kinds of alternative therapies are very helpful for many recovering addicts.
Ask about the therapy programs. Are they evidence-based? This means they have been proven to work. Some popular therapies are CBT, DBT, hypnotherapy, EMDR and trauma recovery therapy. All quality rehabs will also include individual and group therapy as part of their program. Some may offer on-site meetings of such non-faith-based therapy groups as SMART and SOS. If these are helpful to you, you can continue meetings in your own community or online after your discharge from rehab. Most of them are free.
Do you need dual-diagnosis treatment? If you have a concurrent medical problem or a mental disorder contributing to your substance abuse, then you may need this kind of service. Ask to speak to an admittance staff member to get more information. If you need dual-diagnosis treatment, and they don’t offer it, do not go there.
What is a Quality Rehab?
A quality rehab will be accredited by an independent authority such as CARF or the Joint Commission. State licensing is not sufficient. All legal rehabs must be licensed by the state in which they are located by law. This is not an assurance of a quality facility in itself.
A good rehab will also be upfront about all costs. They will have an adequate patient to staff ratio to ensure that all residents receive the attention they need and deserve. All professional staff members should be licensed by their governing state board.
There should be adequate access to medical care. However, this care may be limited by the nature of the facility’s program. Not all rehabs will be able to accommodate all medical conditions.
The facility should be attractive, clean and comfortable with adequate living space for each resident. If you feel you need Life Skills training, like job search and interviewing skills, ask about those.
We Can Help You
We’re a group of trained substance abuse rehab specialists with many resources to help you choose the best facility for you. You won’t have much control over your program once you begin, so it’s crucial to pick the right one. Call us anytime at 844-639-8371. We look forward to helping you.