As someone with an addiction, the idea of going through treatment can be both enticing and terrifying. You’ll want to find a reputable and effective facility that will help you get sober, but many centers can turn out to be scams. Don’t let this happen to you! In this post, we’ll offer tips on protecting yourself from being scammed and ways to find a legitimate rehab center.
Tips on How to Avoid Scams and to Find a Legitimate Treatment Center
Use Treatment Referral Services
There’s a nationwide network of treatment referral services that can help you find the right rehab for you. These services can be found in every state, and most have toll-free numbers. The best thing about these services is that they don’t charge anything, so you won’t have to worry about any hidden costs or fees. Based on your answers to a short questionnaire, you’ll get a recommendation for a rehab that’s suited to your needs. These referrals are not meant to steer you into any facility, so you can feel confident that the service is looking out for your best interests.
Find Treatment Through Family and Friends
Sometimes the most effective way to find treatment is through word of mouth. Family and friends who have dealt with addiction can offer personal experiences and recommendations, so it’s worth having a conversation with them. However, you should always do your due diligence and research the service before going to the meeting. If someone is recommending a center that’s recommended for drug addicts, you’ll want to know how effective it has been in treating addicts. You may even consider going to a meeting with a friend or family member to learn more about the center.
Be Wary of Claims That Sound Too Good to Be True
It’s important to remember that treatment centers want patients, and this means they may overstate their offerings and services. While it’s tempting to think of an ideal setting for recovery, you shouldn’t believe everything you hear.
According to Psychology Today, you can avoid being scammed by researching treatment centers before deciding on the place to go. You’ll want to verify the facilities are legitimate and that they meet the standards you need. When looking at treatment centers, you should check the credentials of the staff and look for accreditation. You’ll also want to know the facility’s success rate and find out if they offer aftercare services.
Beware of Facilities That Are Too Cheap, Too Quick, or Overly Easy
Short-term treatment is an appealing idea because many people think they can solve a problem in a few weeks (or even days), but this attitude could cost you more than you bargained for. In some situations, you’ll even discover that the center is actually a scam. You’ll want to look out for facilities that offer short-term treatment programs with low fees. In some cases, a treatment center may cover their fees by receiving kickbacks from prescription drug companies or medical supply firms. This can lead to addiction and other problems as you try to get sober.
Find Out If the Facility Is Licensed and Certified
Licensing and certification can help you confirm a treatment center’s legitimacy. Some states require facilities to have a license to operate, so you may want to verify this with your local department of health. In other cases, a treatment center may have voluntary accreditation from an independent agency. You can find out if it is by checking with the accrediting bodies. When looking at the treatment center’s credentials, you’ll want to make sure they are still active and up to date. If the facility isn’t accredited, there’s a good chance that its staff and services won’t meet your needs.
Look for Treatment Centers with a Good Success Rate
Accreditation is great, but it’s not enough. You should also look into the success rate of any potential treatment center. This can be found on the center’s website, which is a good place to start your search. If there’s no data available, you may want to consider contacting the facility directly to ask them. You’ll want to make sure that the treatment center has an above-average success rate.
The recovery industry tends to shy away from promoting itself, but it’s understandable why they would do this. If a treatment center boasts a success rate of 80%, it could end up with a waiting list of hundreds or thousands. In conclusion, it’s important to be aware of the warning signs of a scam. If a treatment center doesn’t seem legitimate, you shouldn’t hesitate to walk away. However, most reputable treatment centers will have the credentials that you need. If you’re looking for a way to get sober and live your best life, it’s time to take action and find a treatment center that meets your needs.
You’ll want to start by familiarizing yourself with some of these tips, so be sure to check out this infographic. To get help in getting a good treatment center, call us at 844-639-8371.