Choosing a Drug Treatment Program
What to Look for in Substance Abuse Treatment – A Mission For Michael, Orange County Substance Abuse Treatment Center.
When evaluating the many types of substance abuse treatment programs, remember that everyone’s needs are different. In general, the longer and more intense the drug use, the longer and more intense the treatment you may need.
Regardless of a program’s length in weeks or months, support and long-term follow-up are crucial to recovery. A quality treatment program not only addresses the drug abuse, it also addresses the emotional pain and other life problems that contribute to your addiction.
What to look for in a substance abuse treatment program
When you start looking for substance abuse treatment, you may see advertisements for programs in tranquil settings with gorgeous views. While amenities like that are nice to have, they likely come with a big price tag. Focus on what is truly important: appropriate licensing, quality of care during the program, follow-up services, and staff credentials, all of which A Mission for Michael in Orange County, CA possesses.
Things to check include:
- Program accreditation and licensing. Make sure the treatment program is accredited by the state it’s in. Also check to ensure that the program is run by licensed, well-trained mental health professionals and addiction specialists such as Dr. Granese at A Mission for Michael.
- The effectiveness of the program’s treatment methods. Treatment centers should have at least some statistics on their success rates, preferably from an objective outside agency.
- Type of aftercare services to prevent relapse. Is there a well-run aftercare program? Does it provide referrals to other recovery services and support groups in the community? Also make sure that a staff member will collaborate with you to create a discharge plan before you leave the program.
An overview of substance abuse treatment programs
| Types of drug treatment programs |
| Residential treatment – Residential treatment involves living at a treatment facility while undergoing intensive treatment during the day. Residential treatment normally lasts from 30-90 days. |
| Partial hospitalization – Partial hospitalization is for people who require ongoing medical monitoring but have a stable living situation. These treatment programs usually meet at the hospital for 3-5 days a week, 4-6 hours per day. |
| Intensive outpatient program (IOP) – Not a live-in treatment program, but it still requires a major time commitment. Intensive outpatient programs usually meet at least 3 days a week for 2-4 hours a day or more. The major focus is relapse prevention. These outpatient programs are often scheduled around work or school. |
| Counseling (Individual, Group, or Family) – Works best in conjunction with other types of treatment or as follow-up support. Therapy can help you identify the root causes of your drug use, repair your relationships, and learn healthier coping skills. |
| Sober living – Normally follows intensive treatment like residential treatment. You live with other recovering addicts in a supportive drug-free environment. Sober living facilities are useful if you have nowhere to go or you’re worried that returning home too soon will lead to relapse. |
| Brief intervention – Only appropriate for those at risk for drug abuse or drug addiction, not those who have already developed a serious problem. Consists of several visits to a healthcare professional to discuss the harmful effects of drug abuse and strategies for cutting back. |
Where to start?
To find drug addiction treatment programs and addiction specialists in your area:
- Talk to your doctor, or a licensed mental health professional. You can read all about the list of qualified professionals at A Mission for Michael here.
- Contact your health insurance company
- Find out if your job offers an Employee Assistance Program with addiction counseling
- Call local mental health clinics, community health centers, and hospitals
Remember, the most important action of all is to take action. Call A Mission for Michael today to speak with a clinical specialist and take the first step toward recovery today!