How to Choose a Program

The decision to procure treatment for an alcohol or drug addiction can be both freeing and overwhelming. While you may know that you want to enroll in a program, you’re unsure how to pick the best fit for you. Fortunately, you can use several strategies to narrow down the possibilities and to take the next step in the right direction.

Understanding Terminology

Very early on in the process, familiarize yourself with the different terms used to describe rehab programs. Doing so will help you to focus on in the type of treatment that is most suitable for your needs. Common terms used to describe treatment are the following:

  • medically supervised withdrawal or detox
  • inpatient treatment
  • outpatient treatment
  • blend of inpatient and outpatient treatment

Medically supervised withdrawal or detox is typically the first step in the process. Withdrawal can come with serious side effects, so going through this experience under the supervision of medical professionals is advisable. After the withdrawal stage, you can choose from inpatient or outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment would generally involve going to regular meetings at a center. However, you would continue to live in your home. Inpatient treatment would mean that you move into the treatment center.

Exactly how long you stay in the facility is going to depend on a few personal factors, so you should discuss this element with your counselor. A blended approach would involve going to inpatient treatment and then continuing your recovery with an outpatient program. Different terminology might be used to discuss this approach. Now that you know about the various programs that exist, you can start to decide which one is right for you.

Seek Professional Guidance

Getting the advice of a professional is a smart move when you’re figuring out what treatment program you want to enroll in. Many people choose to speak to their primary care physicians and therapists. Evaluating yourself and your own needs can be really challenging. A professional can see the larger picture. Your doctor or counselor could have a strong sense of what type of rehab is the right fit for you.

Consider the Severity and Type of Your Addiction

There are different levels of addiction. You might have recently started using a drug, and you want to stop this usage immediately. It’s also possible that you have been abusing drugs and alcohol for many decades and have unsuccessfully tried to stop in the past.

The type of drug to which you are addicted can also influence the treatment that you choose. For example, you could enroll in a treatment program that specializes in handling cases of that particular type of substance abuse.

Conduct Research

While you shouldn’t wait too long to start getting treatment, you likely do need to research at least a few programs first. In the research phase, do not be afraid to ask questions. In fact, you should request to speak with a representative at the center to get a strong sense of what the program is like.

Find out if you are permitted to go on a tour of the treatment center. Actually visiting the facility can let you know what your days might be like. You could also ask your physician or counselor for recommendations on particular treatment programs.

Commit to Your Decision

There’s always going to be an excuse that you could make about why now is not the right time for treatment or why you should conduct research on even more facilities. However, this type of behavior is simply delaying your journey to recovery. After you’ve conducted your research and spoken to the professionals, the time has come to make a decision. Make an informed choice that you feel comfortable with. Once you have arrived at a decision, stick with it.

Choosing a treatment program is not a matter to take lightly. After all, going to rehab for drug or alcohol addiction is a move that can completely change your life for the better. Carefully considering the different options can help you to arrive at the best decision. You can also speak with a representative for further information by calling 833-610-1174 today.