Whether for yourself or a loved one, choosing an aftercare facility is a significant undertaking. It can be difficult to objectively assess which aftercare facility will best suit your needs due to many emotions and questions at play. To help you navigate life in recovery facilities, we’ve compiled a list of important factors to consider when selecting an aftercare facility for yourself or a loved one.
1. Location
It is crucial to consider the location. Choose a facility close to home if being near family and home is a source of inspiration. If the issue is rooted in your neighborhood – and the people who live there – then choosing a facility that is a good distance away from home may be a better option.
You may also want to choose an aftercare facility in a location where you can restart your life once treatment is completed. Close to a sober support network, starting a new life in a new place can help someone new to recovery stay clean.
Facilities are available in both rural and urban settings. Hence, choosing one in a favorable location should not be so hard.
2. Detoxification Services
Medical detox may be necessary for those abusing substances for a long time. If this is the case, it is critical to understand the qualifications of the detox staff. The facility should either be part of a hospital system that oversees the detox process or have on-site certified medical providers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
3. Counseling Services
Detoxing from drugs does not imply that the addiction is no longer active. Detox, in reality, prepares the body for recovery. Properly educated therapists provide individual and group treatment in a good addiction rehabilitation clinic. Therapists assist clients in identifying and addressing the reasons for their addiction. They assist the client in accepting the fact that healing requires time, emotional commitment, and a strong support network. Look for a facility that recognizes and appreciates the importance of therapy in the rehabilitation process.
4. Medicinal Trade-offs
To assist a person in overcoming an addiction to the original drug, several aftercare institutions prescribe alternatives to the original substance. While there are supporters of this method, it is not for everyone. Is substituting an illegal substance with anything else (that may be just as addictive in certain situations) the best option for you or a loved one? What does sobriety mean to you?
You must answer these issues based on study and talk with your doctor and a drug abuse counselor.
5. Amenities and Accommodations
While some facilities promote private rooms, others believe that the responsibility and community provided by shared rooms are an important element of the healing process when choosing an aftercare facility. It is critical for the person in recovery to feel at ease in their surroundings to be more responsive to the assistance provided. Some facilities give you the option, and staff may typically do alterations if you change your mind.
Be careful to take notice of the facility’s various amenities. Examine the dining services, recreational facilities, social places, outdoor activities, and grounds and if visitors are allowed.
6. Programs That are Either Short-term or Long-term
Some institutions provide both short- and long-term programs, while others specialize in one program length. The doctors reviewing your case may prescribe a certain duration of stay based on the severity of your drug use problem and the substance involved. Knowing the distinctions between the programs available is critical to ensuring you get the treatment you need.
Inpatient vs. outpatient therapy is another option that varies depending on the drug and usage. While some individuals benefit from outpatient therapy, others need the constant attention and coaching that inpatient treatment provides. Because each person and addiction is different, it’s a good idea to accept the counsel of your intake or intervention specialists, even though it’s ultimately your decision.
7. Life Skills in the Post-Recovery Period
For most people in recovery, managing sober life outside of the rehabilitation facility’s safety and structure is especially intimidating. The likelihood of recurrence decreases tremendously if the institution focuses not just on detox and treatment but also on sober living skills and transitional education.
Look for methods the facility supports and assists in developing a strong sober support system, developing craving coping techniques, and learning healthy living recommendations for life after treatment. If all of these aspects of the program are significant, your prospects of long-term sobriety improve.
8. Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders
Look for treatment centers that acknowledge the link between mental illness and addiction. A mental health issue, such as anxiety, sadness, or PTSD, is often the cause or effect of a drug use disorder. Dual diagnoses are frequent, and treatment centers that focus on the full person may help clients handle future issues.
9. Components of Nutrition
A program that teaches you how to make healthy, clean food and lifestyle choices as part of a comprehensive behavior modification program will help you break free from the shackles of drug abuse and offer you a new lease on life if you consider this while choosing an aftercare facility!
Understanding how chemicals influence the body and how to resist those effects is useful information. Healthy body and mind choices aren’t always simple, but they’re well worth the additional work in the long term. Find out how much emphasis is placed on health and nutrition since a body that feels well and runs on excellent fuel will have no time or need for chemicals that produce a false feeling of satisfaction.
10. Cost/Insurance
Find out what your insurance covers before you go too far in your quest. Calculate the prices of out-of-pocket, co-pays, and deductibles. Most treatment centers take insurance, and excellent centers can help you work through your coverage to determine how much it will cost you.
Everyone deserves a clean and healthy life, regardless of the severity of their drug use problem or their socioeconomic status. Finding an aftercare facility that is right for you might be easier than you think – if you know what you’re looking for and pay attention to the signs your body, mind, and spirit are giving you about your recovery journey!
To learn more about faith-based addiction treatment options available in Southern California, call Covenant Hills Treatment at 844-268-8412.
