How do I Choose the Best Substance Abuse Center?

People quitting drugs or alcohol often decide to start at a substance abuse center. Many of these centers exist and choices can be confusing. People can narrow down their choices by evaluating cost/insurance coverage, thinking about distance from home, considering length of program, determining types of treatment, deciding how philosophy of the center meshes with personal philosophy, and looking at how extra activities may or may not be useful.

Many people don't have the luxury of being able to choose any substance abuse center without considering cost. Many centers are paid by insurance, and if people have insurance, the best way to narrow down choices is to get a list of covered centers from an insurance company. People without insurance may find a few very low cost or no-cost choices, or some people are able to disregard this issue and can pay any amount, leaving open the choice of the luxury centers available.

Another important issue is the center’s distance from home. A few people want to be as far away from the usual scene as possible to avoid temptation. Others are more interested in being near home, especially if they have children. A location close by makes it easier to visit when people are through the first part of a substance abuse center program, and many programs feature some form of family counseling. This is easier to participate in if everyone can get to the center.

A substance abuse center may treat all types of abuse or be limited to or specialize in certain types like alcohol or heroin abuse. There can be good reasons to choose general or specific programs, but it’s especially wise not to choose a program that won’t include help for the type of substance abuse a person has been practicing. Some people especially like programs that are specific to either drug or alcohol abuse because they’ll interact with others undergoing very similar things. Another important factor is exactly how the center treats: some offer detox including ultra-rapid detox, and others expect people to have completed detoxing before joining a program.

Most programs are governed by a philosophy, and this should not conflict with the prospective patient’s philosophy. For example, a substance abuse center could have a strongly religious tone, which won’t be suited to a person who is strongly atheist. Many centers also focus on some kind of activity, like caring for animals or survival training. If these activities are considered part of recovery, a person should consider if they'll enjoy them.

Other considerations in choosing a substance abuse center include the center’s statistics on recovery rate. Any program should have a follow-up program, continued support, or a way to point people to outside resources so they get continued support. Length of the program is important too, since some recovery programs last just a few weeks and others continue for up to a year.