You get to a certain point and you just realize…

There’s no use in trying to pretend you’re normal.”

– Amy Reed, U.S. novelist and author of “Clean

Don’t underestimate how pivotal choosing the right drug rehab could be to your life. For some, it turns out to be the most important decision of their lives.

I’ve been there – right where you’re standing now.

Standing at that kind of mental crossroads, not knowing exactly which way to turn, which direction to start walking in. To go forward, into the unknown, with the possibility of real help and real guidance, and finally shaking this addiction off your struggling back.

Or to simply go sideways, which pretty much means no progress at all – still addicted, still ill, still sad, and where the only hard truth you’ll find is in the next hit, the next bottle, the next smoke…

Backwards? No, sorry, you can’t do that. With addiction, that option has long gone.

To go forward takes courage, but many drug addicts and alcoholics find that necessary courage quite easy to come by. It should really be called “desperation,” and I’ve never met anyone with a substance addiction who wasn’t desperate in some kind of way.

If you’ve found that courage, born of wherever, desperation or a sober moment in a time of chaos, hold onto it tightly. It’s precious, and it just might save you. My advice? Go forwards, go willingly, and go into drug rehab – just make sure you choose the right drug rehab for you.

Fortunately, over 6 years ago now, standing at that crossroads, I got some good advice. The thing was, I actually took it – I listened, and I did the best thing I could do at the time. That in itself was a rarity for me, especially during those times when my addiction was all I could think about – the next hit, the next bottle, the next smoke

I followed the advice, and it took me to a drug rehab center in Phoenix, AZ, where I stayed until I found sobriety, along with everything else I needed to stay that way. Yes, a lot of hard work on my part too, but you don’t get something for nothing, not in this life. Except maybe good, sound advice when you need it.

So, now you have the courage you need to break the chaos of addiction, here’s some advice about how best to go about using it, and choosing the right drug rehab to begin the rest of your life. Here are your “4 Essential Tips for Choosing the Right Drug Rehab”:

1. Research & Due Diligence

Before you go sticking an imaginary pin in that Google Map of drug rehab facilities located near you, take a while to do your research. Seriously, take a look around at what’s on offer. Believe me, there are many, many types of rehab out there, with different treatment programs, different therapies, and different philosophies.

However, and this is the important point, not all of them are going to be appropriate for your needs. Take some time to consider whether you can attend a residential rehab or if an outpatient program is more suited to your commitments. Speak with your family doctor about your addiction, and your need for treatment. They can advise you, as certain substances, like alcohol, normally require a safe detox before treatment can start.

Once you have a list of possible addiction treatment rehabs, apply some due diligence. Research them as much as you can. Check Google reviews and other sources of opinion.

2. Ask the Right Questions

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has a wealth of information about treatment for addiction, and they also have a list of the principles of effective treatment. These are the elements that all good rehabs address in their programs. The drug rehab you choose should incorporate all of these elements. It’s an ideal place to start when preparing your own list of the right questions to ask prospective rehab centers. Here are some more vital things you need to be asking about:

What treatments and therapies are incorporated into your program?

The types of behavioral therapy a rehab center should use include:

  • One-to-one professionally-qualified counseling
  • Group Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Is the treatment program specifically individualized for me?

Professional rehab centers write individualized treatment programs for each client.

Is my health insurance cover accepted by your rehab center?

After recent law changes, all healthcare providers should include substance use and mental health treatment as standard.

3. Inpatient (Residential) or Outpatient Treatment?

If you have adequate health insurance provision to cover inpatient treatment, and your life allows (no work or family obligations), residential rehab centers have the best outcome rates – although outpatient outcomes are close to this success rate. If you do have obligations that cannot be dealt with otherwise, outpatient programs will give you the flexibility to both meet your obligations and to still attend your necessary treatment.

4. Professional Accreditation

The quality of care you receive in a drug rehab can vary immensely. However, as with any professional clinical facility, there are industry-standard accreditations that centers can apply for. With an accreditation, it means that you, as a client, can be assured of a perfectly acceptable level of care. The following accreditations are the most respected:

Leaving the Crossroads Behind…

Now that you have made the decision to go to drug rehab, you need to make the decision to go to the right one. Here’s a quick recap of how to go about it:

1. Research & Due Diligence

2. Ask the Right Questions

3. Inpatient (Residential) or Outpatient Treatment?

4. Professional Accreditation

If you would like to add your own thoughts or advice, please feel free to drop a comment below. Good luck in your journey ahead.

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