What To Look For In Drug Treatment Centers

            Many people think of Nashville as a destination city for music, food, and a good time. Unfortunately, the area also has large numbers of people living with Substance Use Disorder. In fact, some estimates suggest that over 200,000 individuals in the Metro area may have used illicit substances in the past year. If you are currently living with SUD and looking for help, congratulations! Help is available, but it is important to seek the right kinds of treatment to ensure a successful recovery. Here we will cover 5 things that all good drug rehab centers should offer as a part of their program. These include:

• Proper intake screening
• Diversified inpatient and outpatient treatment options
• Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Trauma-informed care
• Support for families of clients

Proper Intake Screening

            All good drug rehab centers will conduct a comprehensive intake screening prior to admission. Screening allows the center to make sure the client is a good candidate for its treatment program. This process will include a detailed discussion of the treatment plan, as well as payment and insurance options. Some treatment centers may also speak with close family or loved ones during intake screening. Your provider will need to know your background, as well as any medical conditions you may have. Be sure to ask any questions you have during this time, especially about payment options. Your provider should have relationships with many major insurers, and should also offer financing.

Diversified Treatment Options

            No two clients in a treatment setting have the same needs. Your treatment program should be specifically designed for your situation and recovery goals. Quality drug treatment facilities will use a combination of approaches depending on those goals. The most intensive part of any treatment is managed withdrawal, also known as “detox.” During detox, you will likely be under care of a physician or in a hospital setting. The process may involve medication to assist with the symptoms of withdrawal. After detox, some treatment plans provide residential treatment. Here, you will live on campus under 24 hour care, usually from 6 to 12 months.

            In a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), you will attend therapy meetings daily, usually for the entire day. Unlike residential treatment, this program does not include overnight stay. You will, however, spend time in individual and group therapy, and have medical checkups with staff doctors. You will also be encouraged to attend 12 step groups and other recovery meetings. Although this is not a residential program, it is not recommended that you work or go to school during PHP.

            Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) offer clients a smooth transition between daily intensive treatment and re-introduction to normal daily life. In this program, you will be encouraged to seek employment or to volunteer during the day. This type of program will help you regain a sense of structure around daily life, while continuing therapy and recovery work. This step is crucial to ensuring use-free life after intensive treatment has concluded.

            Your rehab facility should also offer ongoing support after your main program has ended. Examples include follow-up appointments with doctors and therapists, hosted support groups, and volunteer opportunities for alumni. Providers and alumni of treatment will all agree that recovery is a lifelong process. Look for treatment centers that will be there for you long after the initial program has concluded.

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

As mentioned earlier, many treatment programs for SUD may include medication to manage symptoms. You should choose a recovery center with the in-house expertise to prescribe and manage any medication during the process. Many centers employ a staff physician as well as a psychiatrist to assist with underlying psychological treatment needs. Your medication and dosage requirements may change throughout the program. For that reason, it is important that your provider have qualified professionals to oversee prescriptions and adjust as needed.

Trauma-Informed Care At Drug Rehab Centers

            Almost all drug rehab centers offer therapy as a key part of treatment. However, you should make sure that your provider specializes in Trauma Informed Care. Research tells us that most clients in recovery have experienced some form of trauma either before or during active use. Trauma informed care assumes that clients have more likely than not experienced trauma in their lives.  It is vital that your provider have at least masters degree level clinicians on staff with experience in trauma therapy and treatment.

The facility should also hold regular training sessions for all staff in trauma informed care. You might even ask yourself, “do I feel safe here?” Are your concerns listened to and addressed? Does the physical environment feel safe and inviting? Do staff treat clients with respect with a focus on empowerment? For recovery to be effective, you should feel safe and your personal journey should be heard and validated.

Support for Client Families

SUD affects not just clients, but their families and loved ones as well. Look for rehab centers that offer support for your family as you work through recovery. This should include family therapy and re-integration support as you transition back to normal life. Family therapy will cover topics like SUD as a disease, healthy boundaries, and communication strategies.These sessions will also help family understand how they can help without enabling negative behaviors. Many centers host family-centered 12 step programs, and offer individual sessions with family members as well. It is important for family and loved ones to know that they are not at fault for their loved one’s substance use. At the same time, loved ones can be your most powerful allies in recovery if they know how they can support you. Research has shown family therapy and other support structures to improve the odds of successful recovery.

Contact Our Drug Rehab Centers

If you are in the Nashville area and looking for help, contact us today. Our team of intake coordinators will be glad to answer your questions and help you begin the journey to sobriety.