Addiction Help: 5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Drug Rehab

Addiction Help: 5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Drug Rehab

By In Addiction Recovery, First Steps
Posted October 17, 2015

In 2009, 23.5 million people (age 12 or older) needed treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Just to give a little perspective, that was 9.3% of the U.S. population, age 12 or older. In the U.S. alone there are more than 14.5 thousand specialized drug rehab facilities to choose from.

With millions of people looking for help to get their lives back on track, there is a lot of confusion. Every facility is not the same. It is imperative that you are aware of the methods used by the facility you choose, in order to ensure the best possible outcome for yourself.

Those of you seeking treatment for the first time, and even those who have been through this before, do you know what questions to ask?

Addiction Help: Finding The Right Drug Rehab For You

1. What would you consider successful rehabilitation?

Although it seems like a simple answer, every facility has its own definition of success for their clients. This definition is dependent upon what the facility basis their program around. Some define success as: a continued attendance to meetings, completing a 28 day program or remaining sober upon returning home; while more pharmaceutically-based facilities consider continuing with prescribed methadone or Suboxone as success.

The Shores Treatment and Recovery takes an all encompassing approach to defining success. It is our mission that clients leave as transformed men and women who no longer crave the high of drugs or the numbness of alcohol, who know how to deal with the reality of their pasts and the stress of day-to-day life in a healthy manner, and who have a vision of a hope for the future

How do you see yourself post-rehab? Just surviving, or joyously experiencing life for the first time in, what has felt like, forever?

2. What is the duration of treatment?

The majority of drug rehab facilities are based on a 28 day program. This may sound like a reasonable option, as the client wouldn’t miss as much work and would be able to return to their life outside of treatment quickly. However, 28 days is not enough time to learn how to maintain sobriety. For this reason many people opt for 60-90 day programs, where they are equipped with the tools necessary for long-term sobriety.

The Shores Treatment & Recovery assess each individual who enters into the program to decide on the length of their stay. The reason we do not have a set number of days is because we believe that every person is different. We treat each person’s individual needs in order to provide the best chance for success. The average stay at The Shores is between 60 and 90 days.

If you are looking for a treatment center that will facilitate real change in your life, a 60-90 stay is what you need.

3. Does the program use substitution?

While some facilities’ end goal is 100% sobriety, others just aim to reduce harm by prescribing a substitution. In this case, methadone, buprenorphine or Suboxone will be prescribed to the client in place of the illicit drug(s) they were taking.

This method of treatment is flawed for obvious reasons. You are seeking real sobriety, a life independent of any substance, legal or otherwise.

Because you want to avoid pharmaceutically-based programs using substitution, be sure to ask if the facility you are looking into practices this method.

4. Does the program rely on the use of other drugs which may be harmful/addicting?

It is common for the pharmaceutically-based rehabilitation facilities previously mentioned to rely on certain drugs to alleviate distress or ensure sobriety. Drugs such as Valium and Xanax are used to manage the mental state, while Antabuse is used to enforce sobriety by causing illness if alcohol is consumed. Both of these practices pose major long-term risks for the client. Valium and Xanax can be addicting which may lead to further abuse down the road. Anatabuse is known to cause severe, sometimes even fatal, liver problems, as well as impotence.

There are other ways to go about handling mental distress during drug rehab. For instance, The Shores Treatment and Recovery works with clients to improve physical and mental health through the use of: counseling, massage therapy, chiropractic therapy, acupuncture, neurofeedback, a range of outdoor excursions, activities and more.

This is a highly effective means to mental clarity and serenity. Furthermore, clients who are treated via this method find it much easier to engage socially and be productive.

We believe in a recovery process that is as medication-free as possible.

5. Does the program teach clients skills to support a sober lifestyle?

The most important aspect of your treatment is your long-term sobriety. As soon as you check out of treatment, it’s back to real life where you will need to know how to constructively deal with daily stress, influences, and your mental state.

A truly impactful rehab facility will guide you in learning to break addictive patterns, and teach you the life skills necessary for your long-term sobriety.

The Shores Treatment & Recovery

Are you looking for a treatment facility for yourself or a loved one? The Shores Treatment and Recovery takes a holistic approach to sobriety and has effectively helped hundreds of men and women get clean and stay clean. Visit our site today to learn more about our center, and give us a call at 772 800 3990.

Our Accreditations, Certifications & Partnerships

  • Joint Commission
  • FARR
  • Rockers in Recovery
  • My FL Families
  • Best Place to Work
  • Addict's Mom
  • PAARI
  • Rehab Reviews

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