Although millions of people suffer from addiction in the United States, sadly, many of them do not get the help they need. A 2021 study concluded that 94% of people 12 or older did not receive any treatment for substance abuse.
If you struggle with addiction in California, you should consider some form of addiction recovery treatment. But an internet search can reveal hundreds or even thousands of options.
Do you want to know how to find a residential addiction treatment center in California? Here are seven factors to look for when you make your decision.
1. Inpatient or Outpatient Services
The two main types of rehab are inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab. Inpatient rehab, also called residential treatment, requires patients to stay on-site at the rehab facility.
Outpatient rehab is an approach that works better for people who don’t have the time or resources to commit to an inpatient program. Often, it involves going to treatment at designated times but going back home after the session ends.
If you find a center that offers both inpatient and outpatient services, you may need to meet with doctors to decide which option is best for you. For instance, if you need to detox from drugs or alcohol, you may need to consider inpatient rehab.
2. Insurance Coverage
Although rehab is necessary for many people to get sober, it can also come with a price tag. If you do not have a way to pay for it, you should look into insurance coverage.
Many treatment centers for alcohol and drug addiction have insurance information on their websites. You can check to see if your insurance plan is on the list of accepted insurance providers.
Even if your insurer isn’t listed, you may still be able to get out-of-network coverage. When you find a center you like, contact your insurance provider to see what options you have for out-of-network care.
Some insurance plans will cover a portion of the cost of the treatment program. If you have enough money to cover the remainder of the bill, you can still go to the rehabilitation center of your choosing.
3. Mental Health Services
Mental health is a huge part of your success in recovering from addiction. If you do not have the right mindset, it isn’t easy to stay clean and sober once your program ends.
A good addiction recovery treatment program should include on-site therapists who are consistently available to patients in need. You will likely work with a therapist throughout your time in rehab to find solutions to your mental health struggles.
Many people struggling with substance abuse also suffer from clinical conditions like anxiety and depression. They may even have more serious disorders, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, all of which require psychiatric treatment and therapy.
A psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in treating mental health disorders. The doctor may evaluate you for certain conditions and prescribe you medication to help manage your symptoms.
You may also go to different types of therapy, such as individual or group-based therapy. Sometimes, it is also helpful to have family therapy so your loved ones can help you on your path to sobriety.
4. Success Rate
A success rate can differ depending on the type of rehab you choose. It is important to ask potential rehab centers how they define success rates.
For instance, some institutions claim to have a 100 percent success rate. You should avoid these places at all costs because it is likely that this information is not verifiable or downright false.
Some centers define success rates as patients who stay clean and sober for a certain period of time after they leave recovery.
Ask the treatment center for any documentation they have to back up their claims of success rate. These can include peer-reviewed journals or research methods.
5. Post-Recovery Support
Once you leave inpatient or outpatient rehab, that is only the first step in a long recovery process. Many programs emphasize the approach of “one day at a time,” stressing that drug or alcohol addiction is a daily battle.
After you finish your recovery program, you may need to continue seeing your care team regularly. This could include phone visits, in-person therapy sessions, and other resources.
There are groups and programs you can join outside of rehab for extra support
6. Program Length
The program length can vary based off of factors such as insurance coverage or how long you need to detox. Patients can stay in their program anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Sometimes, your insurance program only covers a certain number of days or weeks. Even if your insurance is in-network, you need to check out your options for program length and determine if it will work for your needs.
Some programs base your length of stay on factors such as progress benchmarks rather than a set time period. Whether it is for alcohol addiction or drug addiction treatment, you will likely have an individualized plan.
7. Detox Programs
If you have a serious addiction, you may have to go through detox before you can begin your treatment plan. The purpose of detox is to get all of the drugs or alcohol out of your system so your body can begin to heal.
Medical detox is a great option if you want to avoid some of the more painful effects of withdrawal. Doctors and nurses can give you medication that will make you comfortable during the process.
Make sure to be completely honest about your level of addiction when you look into rehabilitation programs. Some drugs, and even alcohol, can cause serious or fatal side effects from withdrawal.