Choosing the best rehab center for you or your loved one can generally feel overwhelming because there are thousands of rehab centers in the country and not all are created equal. You will need to take certain things into account, e.g. accreditation, treatment methods, practices, etc. It would help if you considered some important criteria when exploring your options to ensure the best chances of success.
Accreditation, Licensing, and Certifications
Reputable rehab centers in the USA are accredited by The Joint Commission or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). These non-profit organizations base their rankings on key aspects like value and quality of results, industry performance standards, and more. Since someone enters rehab at such a vulnerable time in their life, it is extremely significant to be in the hands of a facility that has proper licensing and certifications and offers the highest level of care.
Clinical Staff
The clinical staff’s credentials, licenses, and experience are at the heart of any program’s success. So, when comparing rehab centers, it is highly recommended that you consider this aspect due to its value and importance. Some of the credentials you should look for in clinical staff include: (LADC)“Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor”, (CCDP) “Certified Co-occurring Disorders Counselor”, (LPC) “Licensed Professional Counselor”, or (CAC) “Certified Addictions Counselor”.
The Treatment Team
The rehab center you choose should have experience treating all aspects of the condition – body, mind, and spirit. After all, it isn’t just about getting the drugs out of your body, you also want to make sure that the underlying mental challenges that the addiction caused are addressed efficiently. So, look for rehab centers that have treatment teams that can create a personalized treatment plan for the patient. Such a team generally consists of medical doctors, nurses, chemical dependency counselors, psychiatrists, wellness specialists, psychologists, nutritionists, and spiritual care counselors.
Use of Evidence-based Practices
Rehab centers should use evidence-based practices that have been researched and validated to have positive outcomes on recovery. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), for instance, teaches people how their thoughts affect their feelings and how those feelings have a significant impact on their behaviors. Another evidence-based practice, Motivational Interviewing, is a technique that clinical staff uses to motivate and engage the patient to make positive changes.
Reviews
Do not forget to check the rehab center’s reviews from neutral third-party evaluations. Are there Facebook comments or Google reviews you can check out? Or does the center have its reviews and comments disabled? Use these reviews to get a sense of what real people are saying about the rehab center and its programs. Also, do not forget to check out how the center responds to any negative reviews it might have.
Finding the right rehab center can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be impossible. It simply takes some careful investigation, consideration, and fact-finding. The above-listed criteria will help you get started on your search for the best rehab center for you.