How to Select a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility
There are many options when it comes to selecting a substance abuse treatment facility. As a potential client, you will have to decide for yourself which criteria are most important to you, but here are some aspects you should consider before making your decision.
One of the primary considerations is the particular substance that you abuse. If alcohol is your addiction, the main concern is whether you need to undergo detox. If you have been drinking heavily for a long time, you may need medical supervision while you go through withdrawal. Most treatment centers for alcoholism offer detox facilities, but not all.
Select a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility for a Particular Drug
If you are using a drug, you should be aware that treatment varies according to the drug of choice. Treatment for cocaine is different from treatment for heroin, and treatment for prescription drugs varies from treatment for meth. You can use the filters on our home page under “Programs by Drug” to find a substance abuse treatment facility that specializes in treating your addiction.
Another important factor to take into consideration is the type of program you think would work best for you. A majority of treatment centers use a twelve-step protocol based on the Alcoholics Anonymous model. However, there are a great many alternative approaches, including holistic, faith-based, self-help and medical models. Check our filters under “Special Focus Programs” to learn more about these alternative approaches.
Clientele is another aspect you might want to take into account. If, for instance, you are an adolescent, you will probably do better in a treatment facility that focuses on your age group. Women have different issues in treatment from men, so an all-woman facility may have more appeal. There are also specialized centers for other types of clients, such as gays and lesbians or veterans, who can benefit from working with those who understand their particular issues.
