How to Open a Drug Rehab

Opening a drug rehab center is tough but rewarding.

Public and private drug abuse centers provide counseling and medical treatment for people addicted to cocaine, heroin and other nonprescription or prescription drugs. These facilities are often in or near a hospital. An entrepreneur or medical professional who wants to open a substance-abuse treatment center must adhere to federal and state regulations and consider other serious issues before admitting patients.

Instructions

1. Decide which drug addictions your center will treat. Some detox programs specialize in treating people who abuse prescription drugs, while others work with cocaine or heroin addicts. Larger centers may handle both prescription and nonprescription drug abusers. Talk with other rehab center managers and employees to get an idea of what you will deal with on a daily basis. Consult the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers to learn about industry standards and the latest developments in drug-abuse therapy.

2. Contact state and federal authorities about legal requirements for your center. Check the National Institute on Chemical Dependency for links to the Department of Health and Social Services in all 50 states. Every state has slightly different laws regarding licensure of treatment providers. Substance abuse providers in Nevada don't need to be licensed, for example, while they need to be licensed in Illinois.

3. Select a location. Depending on the amount of money you have to invest and your target clients, you may rent space in an outpatient inner-city clinic, rent or buy an inpatient facility in the suburbs near a hospital or treat celebrities and other well-heeled clients in an exclusive luxury facility.

4. Obtain funding for your venture. If you want to open a substance-abuse treatment center, and you can't secure a bank loan or find private investors, many states offer grants for establishing businesses. Contact the Small Business Development Department in your state for more information.

5. Secure insurance for your facility. You'll need several types of insurance. Find property insurance to protect your facility in case of fire or damage, as well as professional liability, medical malpractice and general liability insurance to protect your business in case of lawsuits or other financial or legal actions. Determine the types of medical insurance you'll accept from patients.

6. Hire substance abuse counselors and other employees. Check medical staffing agencies and substance abuse degree and certificate programs at community colleges. Ads placed in newspapers, on Monster and other online job search sites and in magazines dedicated to substance abuse facilities and counselors will help you attract applicants. Even if your state doesn't require drug counselor certification, it's to your advantage to hire people who have completed a formal degree or certificate program.

7. Advertise your services in local newspapers. Place banner ads on websites with drug abuse information, and take advantage of free link exchanges with sites that list drug counseling facilities. If you decide to run a nonprofit center, distribute fliers or brochures at community centers and public clinics.

References

• National Institute of Chemical Dependency: Resource Listings
• National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers:Products and Services
• Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association:Our Mission

Resources

• California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors:Job Postings
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Funding Opportunities
• The Association for Addiction Professionals: State Affiliates