They’re ready. It’s the moment you’ve waited for: Your loved one is finally ready to get help for addiction. He’s sick and tired of living life under the influence of prescription pills; she’s admitted that heroin has taken over and she needs to get her life back. They’ve made one of the most difficult choices of their life – to seek help for a better life. Finding an addiction treatment program for an addicted loved one or for yourself is a crucial step in getting healthy and fighting the disease of addiction. With rehab centers all across the country that offer various types of therapy programs within their treatment plan, it’s easy to become overwhelmed or confused by all of the information. While we recommend keeping an open mind when it comes to the location of the treatment center and to trust the advice of your treatment specialist, there are instances that you need to do your own research. Arm yourself with information. Before choosing an addiction treatment program, you need to arm yourself with as much information as possible – to ensure you or your loved one will be getting the best care – and the right kind of treatment. We recommend asking questions and learning as much as you can about the program upfront.
Valid Reasons To Avoid An Addiction Treatment Center
The following are valid reasons that you may want to avoid going to a particular treatment center:
The addiction treatment therapies aren’t tailored to your specific needs.
Addiction is a complex disease. Your addiction is influenced by social, biological and environmental factors in your life – and your addiction history is vastly different than others that are seeking treatment. Because your situation is unique, your addiction treatment plan should be uniquely tailored to you. The best drug and alcohol treatment rehab facilities will evaluate you and tailor an individualized treatment program based on your past, any mental or behavioral issues, background, and needs. Addiction rehab centers typically offer modalities such as dual diagnosis, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, experiential therapy, and various other combinations. If an addiction treatment facility doesn’t take into account your personal background or needs or offer therapy programs designed to fit your needs – you need to avoid this program. ASK: “What type of treatment modalities are provided? Will the treatment be tailored to my unique needs?”
The treatment programs aren’t backed by research.
Evidenced-based care is crucial when it comes to treating drug or alcohol addiction. Because addiction is a serious and oftentimes progressive disease, it needs to be treated with methods that work. Research evolves every single day, and because of that – we have a good idea about what types of treatment and therapy programs work, and what kinds don’t when it comes to treating substance addiction. With this knowledge, it’s crucial that when choosing a treatment program for your loved one, that you investigate the treatment modalities and the research that supports its use. When choosing a rehab facility for your loved one, make sure that the programs are comprehensive and integrate evidence-based treatment practices that are backed by research. Some examples of such include nutrition and exercise, self-help support groups, psychotherapy, and psychosocial therapies, medication, trauma therapy, DBT, and mindfulness. ASK: “What type of modalities are used by your treatment center? Are these modalities backed by research?”
The treatment facility makes lofty promises.
With over 22 million Americans in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, there are many drug rehab programs with great outcomes and high success rates. There are great modalities and treatment plans available if you take the right steps to identify them – and your loved one is truly ready to take the course to get his or her life back from addiction. However, there are also many programs that make lofty claims and promises. Be aware of drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs that boast a “cure” for addiction, or offer programs that are less than 30, 60 or 90 days. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – relapse can affect between 40-60% of people who are addicted to substances. This doesn’t have to be the case. By selecting the right program – one that treats addiction in a comprehensive manner – you or your loved one stand a better chance of remaining healthy. If you’re looking at an addiction treatment program that is making big promises, you certainly have reason to question their claims – and move forward with a different facility.
Invalid Reasons To Avoid An Addiction Rehab Center
While the reasons above were legitimate to avoid an addiction treatment center, there are several reasons not to avoid drug rehab.
Fear
Fear can cause it to do things we normally would avoid. Fear can also prevent us from doing the things that we need to do. When it comes to drug rehab, fear can take shape in a few different ways: You may fear to have to leave your family or job for 30, 60 or 90 days. You may fear that rehab could work – and your entire life will be changed, and you’ll have to live a different life. You may be afraid that drug rehab won’t work this time and you’ll be disappointed. If fear is holding you back – you won’t heal from addiction. If you take the risk and open yourself up to rehab, you may experience a new life – in a way you never thought possible.
Denial
Denial is one of the biggest reasons people struggling with addiction avoid drug rehab programs. Facing addiction can be one of the most difficult seasons of life – especially for those who have been using the substance for many years. Because of that, it’s oftentimes easier to release our anger towards a treatment center, a treatment specialist, or a particular situation than it is to look the addiction. Denial of addiction is a way to justify your drug or alcohol use. Denial is a reason to keep you sick. Denial is a reason that will distract you from recovery.
It Hasn’t Worked Before
You’ve been to treatment before. Maybe you’ve been to several addiction treatment centers before. But somehow, you find yourself returning to your drug of choice or even another substance. Just because your first attempt at rehab – or your seventh attempt at rehab – didn’t have a successful outcome, doesn’t mean you are doomed to a life of addiction. If you’ve been to rehab or rehabs before – you may have tried certain therapies that didn’t work for you, or you weren’t emotionally or spiritually ready to get well. It doesn’t mean the therapy was flawed or that you can’t get well. Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that requires ongoing care – give treatment to another chance. Recovery from addiction is a challenging road. Some treatment centers are better than others – and some will suit your needs better than others. In order to get the right treatment and the most out of your rehab experience, the key is communication.
