How to Choose an Alcoholism Treatment Program

Selecting the right alcoholism treatment program is an important decision for someone who is trying to overcome the disease of alcoholism. There are so many options to choose from, which can make it a challenging task for a person to decide which option would be the best choice. The decision making process can be made easier if you know what to look for and then do some research on prospective treatment centers so that you will know what to expect.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Determine what your needs are. This will be help you decide what to look for in an alcoholism addiction treatment program. A person who has been engaging in heavy alcohol use for a long period of time will likely need an intensive program. Keep in mind that not all treatments will work for everyone. Alcoholism recovery is an individual journey. When looking for a program, pay attention to the setting and over all philosophy of the program. Ask yourself if you feel comfortable with the approach to treatment.

2. Find out what programs are covered by your insurance. Call the toll free number on your insurance card and ask what benefits they offer for substance abuse and mental health. Also, find out what your out of pocket costs will be, as well as the deductible and co-pay. Ask if they can provide a list of treatment programs in your area. Find out if some programs are willing to work out a reduced payment plan.

3. Look for programs that have a high success rate. Many alcohol treatment facilities have statistics on this. In some cases, this information is gathered by an independent agency, making data more reliable.

4. Make sure the program you are considering has the proper licensing and accreditation. Numerous agencies offer accreditation to after care and detox centers to ensure that they provide effective treatment methods and appropriately handle patient complaints. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a database of alcoholism addiction treatment programs.

5. Ask about the services the program offers. Look for alcohol treatment facilities that address the emotional stresses connected to alcoholism in addition to the addiction itself. Find out if individual counseling and group therapy is provided, as well as assistance in coping with a relapse.

Resources

• http://csat.samhsa.gov/faqs.aspx

[sonni57]

on 9/29/2009 Great article on choosing an alcohol treatment program.