Questions to ask before going to rehab by Rehab-Programs.org 2011

Transcription

1 Table of Contents Questions to Ask Before Going to Rehab... 1 Do I really need to check into an inpatient drug rehab center?... 2 How long will I stay in the rehab center?... 2 What is the track record of the rehab center?... 3 How does the Criminal Justice System and Rehab work together?... 3 Is it best to choose a rehab center close to home or one that is out of the area?... 4 How much will it cost to check into a rehab center?... 5 What types of treatment programs are offered?... 5 Agonist Maintenance Treatment... 5 Narcotic Antagonist Treatment... 5 Long Term Residential Treatment... 6 Short Term Residential Programs... 6 Medical Detoxification... 6 What can I do to make my rehab a success?... 7 Questions to Ask Before Going to Rehab Before going to rehab there are several questions that you must address. These questions also pertain to those with a loved one who is thinking about entering a facility. There are hundreds of reputable drug and alcohol rehab centers located around the United States. From east coast to west coast and everywhere in between, there are facilities that put the patient first in hopes that they will get their life back on track. It is essential to learn more about a particular rehab facility before entering. Everything from the cost to the length of the stay to the program itself must be discussed. Finding a treatment center is the first step. However, you will not truly know which one is right for you or your loved one until you ask and answer the following questions.

2 Do I really need to check into an inpatient drug rehab center? The answer to this question varies from one patient to the next. While one person may be able to solve this issue on his own, the next person could need professional treatment in order to get back on track. The severity of your problem will help determine whether or not checking into an inpatient drug center is necessary. In many cases, you must look beyond the drug addiction. You may find that there are underlying issues that can only be cured with the help of professionals at an inpatient facility. For example, many people also suffer from social, occupational, physical health, and/or mental problems. Along with the primary question, consider this inquiry: is your addiction putting you and/or others at risk for additional problems such as infectious disease, anger management, etc.? If you are having a difficult time answering these questions, contact a counselor at a qualified inpatient drug rehab center. No matter if you choose a facility close to home or out of town, a counselor can give you a professional opinion as well as basic advice on how to best move forward. Treatment can occur in many different forms, for different lengths of time. As an individual, you have to decide if checking into a rehab center is what you truly want to do. This may be a long term process, but those who successfully complete the program designed for them will come out at better person in the end. How long will I stay in the rehab center? The speed at which you move through rehab is contingent on many factors. From the severity of your problem to your willingness to help yourself, there are variables that will determine how long you stay in a rehab center. Upon getting started, your counselor may be able to give you an idea of how long your rehab stint will last. However, nothing is guaranteed. Patients who are not willing to help themselves could be in and out of rehab quickly without reaching any goals. Over the years, research has shown that a positive outcome is based largely on an adequate stay. Stays of 90 days or less generally offer little to no help in severe cases. The patient must be willing to stay in treatment for as long as it takes to see results, which is usually at least three months. For example, a methadone maintenance program must be followed for a minimum of one year. On top of this, opiate-addicted patients may have to continue this type of treatment for a period of several years.

3 Unfortunately, many people drop out of rehab before receiving all the necessary treatment. A successful outcome may call for more than one treatment, spanning the course of several months of years. The goal of every patient should be the same: to stay in rehab for as long as it takes to achieve the desired results. What is the track record of the rehab center? It is one thing to check into rehab. It is another entirely to feel confident in the help you will receive. Before deciding on a rehab center, ask questions pertaining to the track record of the facility. How many patients enter your program? How many of them are sober when they leave? What is the dropout rate? These are the types of questions that will give you a better idea of what you can expect. To go along with stopping drug use, your rehab program should help you become a better person at home, in the community, and at work. Results may also be measured by the effectiveness of treatment of related issues including but not limited to asthma, hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Studies have shown that a stay in a drug rehab facility can do more than eliminate drug use. It can also help to decrease criminal activity during and after treatment. For example, methadone treatment is known to cut criminal behavior in half. Along with this, those who seek treatment for a drug addiction reduce the risk of contracting HIV. Although some rehab centers have a better track record than others, the bottom line remains the same: effectiveness is based on the willingness of the patient as well as the individual treatment program. Patients who are actively engaged in the rehab process and working towards a better life will find that results are easier to come by. How does the Criminal Justice System and Rehab work together? No matter if you enter treatment voluntarily or under the pressure of the legal system, a positive outcome is a possibility. A recent study of the Delaware State Prison system shows that prisoners involved in a treatment program during incarceration, while continuing after their release, were 70 percent less likely to be arrested again and fall back into the trap of using drugs. Most of the people involved with the criminal justice system are not doing time in jail. Instead, they are under some sort of supervision such as by a parole officer. Those who are known to have drug issues may be required by the system to attend rehab. As noted above, the outcome

4 can be the same regardless of whether the patient is forced into rehab by the criminal justice system or voluntarily checks in. More times than not for drug offenders, rehab is stipulated as a condition of probation. In short, you will either attend rehab or violate the terms of your probation by skipping this step. If you opt for the latter option, you could find yourself back in prison sooner rather than later. Drug courts also play a big part in the way that the criminal justice system and rehab centers work together. Some situations lead to a mandate of treatment as opposed to incarceration. It is good to know that the criminal justice system and treatment facilities work together, hand in hand, to give patients the best chance of achieving success. They work on plans regarding all aspects of the relationship including: screening, treatment placement, testing, and supervision. Some people check themselves into rehab while others are forced into this by the criminal justice system. Either way, one can expect positive results if the treatment is followed as outlined. Is it best to choose a rehab center close to home or one that is out of the area? With hundreds of rehab centers located throughout the United States, patients have many options. The main question that you need to address is as follows: Would you rather check into a local rehab center or one that is out of town? There are pros and cons to both options. The main benefit of choosing a rehab center close to home is that you will be comfortable with your surroundings. You will be going through a lot of changes in your life, and sticking close to home may make this slightly easier. Additionally, a stay in a local rehab center ensures that your family and friends will be able to visit. Of course, this is only a good thing if these people are a positive influence in your life. There are several reasons to consider an out of town facility. Above all else, this gives you the chance to get away from any bad influences in your life. You can leave behind the people and area that have not treated you well in the past. Rehab success is dependent on the patient being willing to start fresh and take a new outlook on life. Will you be able to do this if you stay at a facility close to home? Or will you feel drawn away from rehab and towards the negative influence that got you in trouble in the first place?

5 How much will it cost to check into a rehab center? Upon contacting a rehab center, one of the most common questions is how much does it cost? This is a concern for many people, including the patient and their family. Before we go any further, remember one thing: the cost of treatment is less expensive than alternatives such as doing nothing or incarceration. The cost of drug and/or alcohol addiction can exceed the total cost of treatment. The cost of rehab depends on many factors, including the facility and the type of rehab. For example, one year of methadone maintenance treatment costs an average of $5,000. While this is a lot of money, there is a good chance that you spend just as much, or more, buying drugs and other substances. The best way to learn more about the cost of rehab is to contact an advisor. At this point, you can discuss financial concerns as well as whether or not your health insurance offers coverage for rehab. It is easy to fall into the trap of searching for a rehab center based on dollars and cents alone. While cost is important, you must also consider the quality of the facility as well as the overall help that you will receive. In short, spend money on a rehab program that is known to give patients the best chance of success. What types of treatment programs are offered? There are many types of treatment programs to consider. Your particular type of addiction will determine which program is best for you. Agonist Maintenance Treatment This treatment is for opiate addicts and is often times referred to as methadone treatment. While not always the case, this is common in an outpatient setting. Through the use of synthetic opiate medication, such as methadone, withdrawal can be prevented. At the same time, opiate cravings are gradually reduced. Once stabilized, patients can function normally while avoiding relapse. Stabilized patients are more open to regular counseling and behavioral therapy sessions. Narcotic Antagonist Treatment For opiate addicts, the use of Naltrexone is common. In many ways, this is the same as agonist maintenance treatment such as in the way that it is administered in an outpatient setting. In some cases, narcotic antagonist treatment starts in a residential facility.

6 Naltrexone is taken on a daily basis or three times a week. It has been proven effective as a long term treatment option. Before a patient can use Naltrexone, they must be detoxified and free of opiates. Naltrexone is not addictive and has no negative side effects. Unfortunately, patients do not always comply with this type of treatment. If not taken on schedule, Naltrexone is ineffective. To ensure that the patient complies, Naltrexone antagonist treatment should be combined with therapy and counseling sessions. Long Term Residential Treatment For 24 hour care, long term residential treatment is a must. The most common model is known as therapeutic community treatment which result in a stay of anywhere from six to twelve months. During this time, patients focus on socializing with staff and residents while also working towards becoming sober. Due to the structured schedule, patients may have a difficult time adjusting which can lead to confrontation. When compared to other methods, those in long term residential treatment facilities have more severe issues including criminal involvement. Short Term Residential Programs Short term residential programs last from three to six weeks. These programs take place in an inpatient, hospital-based facility. With a 12 step approach, patients can get the help needed in a short period of time. Most short term residential programs are followed up with outpatient therapy and counseling sessions. For example, many patients move into the Alcoholics Anonymous program. Medical Detoxification Through a systematic approach, patients are withdrawn from their dependency on drugs and/or alcohol. This can take place in an outpatient or inpatient setting and is usually overseen by an experience physician as well as a variety of support staff members. Detoxification can help stop the reliance on all of the following, plus more: alcohol, opiates, nicotine, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. In many cases, detoxification is medically necessary. If untreated, withdrawal can sometimes lead to bodily and in extreme cases death. Detoxification is used along with another type of treatment as it does not lead to long term behavioral changes.

7 What can I do to make my rehab a success? The only way for a stint in rehab to be successful is for the patient to be 100 percent committed to the process. This holds true with both inpatient and outpatient programs. There are several steps you can take to ensure that your rehab is a success: 1. Define the word success. Most people who check into rehab are interested in becoming sober by the time the program is complete. While this is the main goal, there are many others that you may want to set for yourself including: better communication with loved ones and the ability to avoid potentially negative situations in the future. 2. Get your family and friends on board. It is much easier to successfully complete a rehab program when you have the backing of your family. This is why many people opt to choose a facility that is close to home. 3. Don t stop after your treatment program comes to an end. For many people, regular counseling and therapy sessions are a must. There is nothing wrong with continuing some level of rehab, even after you are sober. 4. Choose the right program. There are many types of rehab programs to choose from. With the help of the facility, you should be able to formulate a plan that will put you on the right path to success. 5. Choose the right facility. Above all else, make sure it is licensed by the state. Along with this, ask for references and in depth information on the success ratio of past patients. This will give you a better idea of what to expect. These five steps will not guarantee rehab success, but they can definitely help. By asking the eight questions detailed above, you will have a better idea of which treatment facility and rehab method is best for you. This whitepaper has been brought to you by Rehab-Programs.org