What to Look for in Your Residential Drug Treatment Facility

Congratulations on making the decision to pursue drug and alcohol rehab! We know how challenging it can be to come to the conclusion that you need recovery help. At Summit Detox, we want to do everything we can to support your decision. Enrolling in a treatment program for substance abuse has many benefits. With that said, how do you choose a solid residential treatment facility? What should you look for, and how do you know the rehab you chose is the right one for you?

Here is a checklist to help with your next big decision: picking a suitable residential treatment facility.

Accreditation Through JCAHO

Substance abuse treatment facilities that have Joint Commission (JCAHO) accreditation, a voluntary compliance standard, are committed to high standards of care. Alcohol and drug rehab programs that are JCAHO accredited have undergone a rigorous approval process to achieve this goal. To become and remain JCAHO accredited, a residential treatment facility must undergo unannounced on-site inspections by a JCAHO surveyor to ensure the standards are met. You can find out whether a facility is accredited by looking for JCAHO’s “The Gold Seal of Approval” prominently displayed on a provider’s website.

Evidence-Based Treatments

Evidence-based treatments for addiction are methods that have been proven to be effective in clinical settings. While every patient has different needs during rehab, you want to be certain that the treatment you receive is widely accepted as the industry standard. Here are some treatment options that should be featured on any reputable residential treatment facility’s website.

Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment

Many patients with drug or alcohol addictions also suffer from co-occurring disorders. The National Institute of Mental Health defines this as a mental health condition that coincides with a chronic substance abuse problem. Some patients use substances as a way to cope with issues like anxiety and depression. Others may develop mental health setbacks as a result of their drug or alcohol abuse. Either way, it is critical to treat the underlying mental health condition simultaneously. Co-occurring disorder treatment ensures that the root cause of your addiction is addressed during recovery. As a result, you are less likely to relapse.

Medical Detox

There are certain addictions that require medical detox to recover safely, such as:

• Alcohol
• Benzodiazepines (like Xanax)
• Opioids (heroin, fentanyl, and OxyContin)
• Stimulants (like cocaine)

In some cases, stopping the use of these drugs without detoxing properly can be dangerous, or even fatal. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is one detoxification option that has proven to be very effective for patients recovering from alcohol or opioid addiction.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, works by helping patients change destructive thought patterns. This, in turn, interrupts automatic negative behaviors. Three core beliefs that CBT relies upon are:

1. Unhelpful behaviors and thinking patterns can lead to psychological stress
2. It is possible to learn better ways to think and act
3. Forming new habits may relieve mental health conditions and result in positive behaviors

CBT is one of the most common behavioral therapy approaches in alcohol and drug treatment. It is highly effective and works well in a residential rehab setting.

Family Therapy

Experts believe that involving the family—the patient’s strongest support system—in the addiction recovery process is critical. Family therapy helps the patient as well as each relative who participates by:

• Improving communication
• Arresting enabling behaviors
• Educating all parties on the truth behind drug and alcohol addiction
• Resolving conflicts that could be contributing to ongoing toxic behaviors

Personalized Treatment Plans

Addiction recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Every patient is fighting their own battles and has unique reasons that led to substance use. Incorporating personalized treatment plans to meet each patient’s needs is widely considered the best way to treat substance abuse. The best residential treatment facilities have rehab programs that view each patient as an individual and strive to tailor the recovery experience.

At Summit Detox, we pride ourselves on individualized care. If you need a residential alcohol and drug treatment center, please call us at (888) 995-5265.

A Step-Down Discharge Process

It would be wonderful if you could enter into a residential addiction treatment program, recover, get discharged, and move on with your life without ever looking back. Unfortunately, that is often not how lasting recovery works.

You will likely spend about 28 days in a residential treatment facility. Afterward, you will need a solid relapse prevention plan as well as follow-up care. This looks different for every patient, but here are a few options that may be recommended for you or your loved one:

• Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): A PHP involves attending an all-day outpatient treatment program up to five days per week. Patients attend PHPs for group therapy, individual therapy, and medication management services.
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): An IOP is more flexible and involves three to five appointments each week, typically in the evenings. IOPs incorporate group therapy and individual therapy sessions, as well as medication management services.
• Outpatient Therapy: Outpatient therapy provides minimal post-discharge care. This option is usually recommended for patients who require less support, and most therapists only provide individual therapy. Patients may go to appointments one to three times per week, depending on their needs.

Beware of Rehab Scams

In 2022, a Florida woman was convicted of healthcare fraud involving billing private health insurance companies for addiction recovery services that were never rendered or medically necessary. Sadly, rehab scams are common, and it is important to know how to spot them so you can avoid getting scammed. Here are a few red flags to look for when shopping for your residential treatment facility:

No Physical Location

Any drug and alcohol rehab facility you consider should have its physical address prominently displayed on its website. Take a few minutes and research the address online to see if it is listed on Google Maps. If you cannot find the address on a map, it is best to err on the side of caution.