It’s happened. You’ve realized you need help, and are considering options for substance use disorder treatment. Maybe you have found yourself searching “drug rehabilitation near me” on Google, but are still struggling to make a choice. The amount of information available is overwhelming and difficult to parse. 

If you are wondering how to choose a drug rehab center, this post is right for you. Finding local addiction treatment options and navigating rehab choices doesn’t have to be a struggle. Keep a few things in mind, and you can find the right personalized rehab placement for you.

Are there resources to help me find nearby addiction treatment?

When looking for addiction treatment, there is a lot of information to parse. You might search for places near you online. You might ask around, or check for local ads. But the process of finding a treatment center doesn’t have to be scary. You could, for example, talk to an addiction specialist who can point you to a relevant program, ask for recommendations from people you know, or consult an online database.

Be Careful Searching Online

The internet is a great source of information, but it can also be dangerous. Google can connect you with sites that promise cures, contain misinformation, or advertise treatment centers that falsely claim to be in your area. To find centers relevant to your needs, it is better try an online tool like ATLAS (Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform), which can help you find a facility.

Be Wary of Patient Brokers

Another issue you will have to be careful about when looking for rehabs is the problem of ‘patient brokers.’ These are people hired by rehabs for the specific purpose of getting patients through their doors. Instead of trying to get you the right help or ask about your needs, a patient broker will try and sell you the rehab facility. In this scenario, it’s always better to talk to the treatment center directly.

Assess Your Needs

Before you start looking for rehabs, however, you first should ask if it’s the right choice for you. Some options, like residential programs, are more expensive and may not offer the right kind of care. Before choosing a rehab, you can assess where you fall on the continuum of care through ASAM criteria. For example, if your substance use disorder is severe, then you may fall on the fourth level of care, medically managed inpatient. But if your substance use disorder isn’t urgent, you can probably find regular care from an addiction specialist like a therapist. If that isn’t enough, you can raise your level of care. 

Assess the Rehab

Once you find a rehab, it’s important to assess whether or not you can trust it. One way to do so is to check if it’s a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP). Any member of NAATP must be licensed, accredited, and follow a code of ethics. This means that they are not allowed to use misleading ads, must deliver the services they promise, and work within rules meant to protect patients.

When you actually find a rehab that looks good, you should also make sure to ask follow-up questions before commiting. If you haven’t already, first check if it is licensed and accredited, to make sure that it can give you the best possible care. Take the time to visit the facility or call, and ask about its evidence-based treatments. 

These can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps teach you to address your negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy, which teaches you to deal with strong emotions. Another good sign is if the rehab employs medication to treat opioid and alcohol use disorder. On the other hand, it’s a red flag if the facility doesn’t believe in using FDA-approved meds.

Finally, it’s important to make sure the facility can address your specific circumstances. The type of treatment you need will differ depending on factors like age, mental health, and time spent with substance use disorder. Once you’ve assessed all of these factors, you can decide if the rehab is the right place for you.

Find Your Best Treatment with Never Alone Recovery

There’s a lot of information out there about substance use disorder recovery, but leafing through it all is overwhelming even in the best of times. Luckily, navigating rehab choices doesn’t have to be a difficult experience. Just make sure to be careful where you look for treatment. Not every person or rehab center will have your best interests at heart. It’s also important to assess both your own needs and the qualities of the rehab center, to ensure you end up in the best place you can be. 

Knowing how to find a rehab is important, but what if you are still having trouble when you look? It’s difficult to find insurance approved rehab or support for families of addicts. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder, there is no shame in asking for help. At Never Alone Recovery, we’ll consider your needs first. Whether you’re looking for an intervention or rehabs that take insurance, we are happy to help. Call us today and verify your insurance at 844-422-2311. You can learn more about our online support group and addiction recovery consultants, and figure out which Never Alone program is right for you.