6 Important Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Drug Rehab Centre
Millions of people check into drug or alcohol rehabilitation programmes every year, and while many people do have successful experiences and remain sober, a large number of people still relapse after the programme is completed. It is estimated that one in ten people have taken part in a rehabilitation programme five or more times.
Experts reckon that this is usually due to a number of factors, but one of the main factors is that the establishment is not suited to the needs of the patient. This is why you have to choose carefully when looking for a suitable drug rehab centre. Here are some questions to ask and answer in order to make an informed decision.
- What result do you expect from the programme?
There are many different treatment programmes and they all produce varying results. Some people consider the treatment successful if they continue to attend support classes, or that they continue to take prescribed medications. Others measure success by the abstinence rates after the programme is completed. There are also other factors that determine success, such as being able to re-enter the job market, reconnecting with family members, and not relapsing. You have to decide which of these factors you will base your degree of success on, and choose an establishment that can help you with this goal.
- Residential or non-residential?
Most people go for residential primary care, which is normally 28 days in a residential facility, but this does not suit everyone. While this programme gives people time to recover and regain sobriety, they may be restricted by work or family commitments, or they may not have the financial resources to choose a residential programme. In this case, there are outpatient treatment programmes available that can be investigated. But these should only be chosen if the option of a residential programme is completely off the table.
- Does the facility offer drug treatments?
Many drug rehab centres offer medications that help decrease addiction or withdrawal, such as methadone or buprenorphine. Other programmes include anxiety management with anti-anxiety drugs, such as Xanax or Valium. This is a less painful way of withdrawing from the hard stuff, but if your goal is total and complete sobriety, these clinics will not be of much help to you.
- Do the programmes include methods to alleviate physical cravings and discomfort?
It is important to understand that addiction affects us on many levels, and strong cravings cause the addict to struggle with recovery. The programme has to include nutritional, physical and emotional techniques that help to alleviate cravings to allow the recovering addict to focus more on recovery and less on cravings.
- Does the drug rehab centre provide counselling?
Most addicts become addicts because they are dealing with emotional pain or trauma. Effective counselling can help the addict to come to terms with painful aspects of life and relieve the need to escape through drugs or alcohol. Good counselling also gives the recovering addict useful tools and coping mechanisms that will help to keep them sober after they leave the facility.
- Are there physical exercise opportunities?
Many people function better if they do regular physical exercise. If you are able to exercise, choose a programme that provides dance classes, yoga, regular hikes and tennis ??? any physical exercise will help to boost the good brain chemicals and help your body to repair itself faster.
There are many other questions you can ask before choosing the correct drug rehab centre, and at Beethoven Recovery Centre, we will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have so give our friendly team a call any time!