There are times in our lives in which we may need help. It is not a shame to admit having a problem, because it is the first step one can make towards a better life. It is worse not to admit having a problem, because one risks for his or her life to be permanently damaged. Also, if you have a friend or relative with an addiction problem, you should do your best to offer your help and try to direct that person towards treatment. It may be a difficult thing to achieve, as most addicts won’t admit of facing a life threatening issue. But once they get help and see that things can be better, they will be thankful.
It takes a lot of courage to do such a step, but the rewards are amazing. You will get your life back and regain the chance of doing something incredible with it, without having to be a slave to your addiction. A rehab center is the best place to start your path towards a better life, as here you will find the right treatments, guidance and support to get over your problem.
1. Make sure to find a rehab center that is tailor to your needs
If you decided that you need specialized help, which is the best decision you can take for yourself, you need to start looking for a rehab center. Depending on your addiction, find one that is specialized for managing such issues, because you have the greatest chances to get better there.
Still, don’t opt for the first center that comes around. You may want to check the costs, to see if it fits in your budget, check the treatment philosophy as well, as each rehab center may have its own approach, and, above all, check it location. You need to decide how far you are willing to do to reach the desired rehab center. It may be more convenient to pick a local rehab center, or one that is closest to your residence, as long as it fits your needs. But, some may recommend to travel as far as you can to a rehab center, putting a good distance between your past problems and environment that caused you the trouble, and your new future.
You may also wish to see if the rehab center is state-licensed and has a great rating from its past patients or patient’s family. Luckily, you will find all the information you need about these aspects online, so you can go a thorough research before deciding which one is the best.
Still, a state-licensed rehab center is the best choice, as they have adequate treatments and programs, and the best counselors to help patients reintegrate better in their social environment and their new addiction-free life. The people that are part of the staff hired to help patients are most often people that faced similar issues as well, in their past, being able to relate with the patients much better, making them listen and feel that they are understood.
It is very important to make an addicted person feel that he or she is understood and supported, instead of treating them as a social ménage on unwanted persons.
2. Do ask several questions before making your final choice
After your research, you may already have a list of potential rehab centers. Now, you can start calling in and see what their conditions really are. To do this, you can ask a set of questions that will help you decide which one will suit you best.
• What types of certifications and licenses exist for your center and staff members?
• What is the philosophy and goal of your rehabilitation programs?
• Are there any waiting lists? If there are, how soon can I be accepted?
• Will my family and friends be able to visit me? If so, how often are they allowed to come in?
• How will the services be billed to me? Are there any financing services available? Or do you accept insurance?
• Besides the program, what other services are included in your rehab center’s fees?
• Do you have staff members that have experience in managing problems like mine?
• Will the treatment have a follow-up after I am out, or not?
• What will you do, more precisely, to help me be ready to get back to the real world after the treatment?
These are some of the most important question you may ask, but, if you have any questions yourself, do not hesitate to ask them. You can even compose a list of questions, of the aspects that interest you, so you can ask them once you start your conversation with a rehab center representative.
Also, it is recommended to write down the details concerning each question, so you will be able to make the right choice after calling each center. Having the information in front on your eyes will allow you to see better which one is more suitable in your case.
3. Make this step for the your safety
The bottom line is that going to a rehab center is not a thing you should be ashamed of. It is the best decision you can take, which will allow you to create a healthier and happier life. Rehab centers will respect the privacy of their patients and will not disclose any personal information without your notification first. So, if you don’t want anyone to know you are there, your identity will be protected.