Five Steps to Choosing the Right Addiction Treatment Program

When you love somebody struggling with addiction, you pray for the day when he or she agrees to accept treatment. Maybe they reach 'rock bottom' and ask for help, but it's more likely that an ultimatum or plea from family and friends is what pushes them toward making the choice.

Regardless of what steps get them to saying "yes", being ready with a plan for treatment is vital. In the time it takes to make arrangements they could change their mind. This is why it's so important for the family to find a good treatment program -- even before the addict agrees.

With so many treatment programs and facilities available, how do you begin to weigh the options? Following are some guidelines for choosing the right program for the addict in your life:

1. If you have insurance you'll want to start your search there. Unfortunately, the majority of insurance plans fail to cover adequate treatment for addiction. Some will cover inpatient or outpatient programs, but it often depends on whether or not they find the treatment medically necessary. Be aggressive and persistent. Your insurance company may initially say no, but change their decision if you appeal.

2. Have knowledge of which drugs the addict is using. In order to determine the right course of action the doctors and therapists involved in treatment will need to know this. Depending on which drugs are being used regularly, your loved one may require a period of medical detox. Certain drugs (including alcohol) produce significant physical withdrawal symptoms that can be harmful, and possibly life-threatening, if not treated properly.

3. Choose a treatment center or program that works with the family and includes them in the recovery process. When a loved one is struggling with addiction, the entire family is effected. The most successful recovery happens when each family member is working toward healing. Many treatment programs include family recovery groups, classes, and/or counseling to ensure that every person affected is taking the proper steps toward recovery.

4. Research the programs reputation, credentials, and accreditation. Before you make a final decision it's a good idea to visit the facility in person. Take note of how comfortable the staff is with your visit. Do you get a good vibe? Your gut instincts say a lot.

5. Be clear on all expenses that may be incurred during treatment. What are the refund regulations? Do they have a variety of payment options? The treatment program my family chose included a guarantee: If the patient relapsed within six months he or she could return to treatment at no cost. This was a great benefit considering that an estimated seventy percent of patients relapse after their first time in treatment.

While the process of finding the right treatment program can be a daunting task, the payoff can make all the difference. In fact, a promising statistic is that over half of the people who get treatment eventually reach a state of sustained recovery.