What To Look For in Treatment Centers in Los Angeles

Deciding to go to rehab for your addiction is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make. Removing yourself from your home, your circle of friends and what you know to be “normal” can be scary and emotionally distressing. The program you choose should be a safe place for you where you feel comfortable voicing your frustrations and can talk freely about your experiences with addiction.

Picking the right rehab center can feel like a daunting decision. What works best for one person (or worked for a close friend) may not be at all right for you. In the United States there are nearly 15,000 substance abuse treatment facilities in operation. The type of rehab you require depends on the severity if your addiction and your personal circumstances. If you have a severe addiction, you are likely to require a more intensive treatment program than someone with a more minor addiction.

Other personal circumstances such as your support system, ability to pay for treatment, current living environment and employment status may also impact your decision. Choosing the right program is vital to your success. Choosing the right program, with treatment designed for your specific needs, makes it more likely that you will complete the program successfully and maintain your sobriety after you return home. Below are some of the things you should consider and steps you should take when choosing the right treatment center in the Los Angeles area.

Services offered

The first thing you should consider when researching a rehab center is to determine if it treats the type of addiction you have. This may sound obvious, but not every treatment center offers care for every addiction. Some centers specialize treating alcohol addictions whereas others may specialize in addictions drugs. Also, some may treat both. Be sure to take a moment to determine if the facility you are considering caters to your specific needs.

Also, consider whether you have or have been previously diagnosed with a co-occurring mental health disorder. If this is the case, take the time to ensure the treatment center you choose offers treatment for both your mental health and your addiction needs. This is especially true if you turn to your addiction to self-medicate the symptoms of your mental health disorder.

Decide what your goals and needs are

Directly related to the first point above, are your goals and needs. As previously mentioned, every rehab has different specialties. Also, even rehabs with the same specialty will measure success different and take different paths to achieve their treatment goals. It is vital for you to determine what your rehab goals are before you can expect to choose a rehab program that will meet those goals.

The first step in determining your rehab goals (after determining which substances you want and need to recover from) is to determine if there are any underlying issues such as co-occurring mental health disorders or medical conditions you need to have addressed while you are in treatment. Not every facility can treat co-occurring disorders so this determination will be valuable when you are considering which facility to attend.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient

You will also have to determine whether you need inpatient treatment such as that offered here at The Hills or outpatient treatment. Inpatient facilities typically provide residential treatment for a period of thirty days. In some cases, extended care options are available which can extend treatment for several months. If outpatient therapy or shorter rehab stays have been unsuccessful in the past, a longer inpatient rehab program may be the best choice for you.

Outpatient rehab may be successful if this is your first attempt at rehab or if you have employment or family obligations which hinder your ability to leave home for an extended period. It is often beneficial to ask the opinion of others such as your primary care provider when trying to determine if inpatient or outpatient treatment centers would be appropriate for your needs.

Treatments and therapies

There are literally thousands of different treatment models and therapy options available for the treatment of substance addiction. This is beneficial because it makes it possible for everyone to find the treatment that works best for them. It is vital to research the different types of therapies offered at a specific program before choosing to attend. This is especially true if you have not attended treatment before.

Another concern when choosing an alcohol treatment center is the availability of medication assisted treatment and medically assisted detox. Medical detox is a critical step in any treatment plan for someone who needs to withdraw from substance addiction and is a process that should begin immediately after completion of the intake process. Medical detox means that you are under medical supervision while you withdraw from substance abuse. The detox process is different depending on a variety of individual factors so it is essential for you to choose a facility that has experience with withdrawal and can adequately and safely handle any medical challenges that may arise while you detox from substances.

Also, the treatment plan may change as you progress through treatment. What is right at the beginning of treatment may not be appropriate a few weeks into care. As you progress through treatment you will grow stronger in newfound sobriety and recovery. Consequently, the treatment center must be able to adapt your treatment to your changing needs. This means regular assessments should be done to ensure the approach currently in use for your treatment remains appropriate.

Location

There are differing opinions when it comes it whether it is better to choose a rehab program located close to your home or one that is further away. Obviously, facilities close to your home are more convenient and possibly necessary depending on your family or employment needs. However, it is also very beneficial to travel away from home for rehab because it breaks the connection between the addict and the life they are currently used to living especially the toxic relationships and routines that foster addictive habits.

Cost and Insurance

Cost is one of the single biggest factors for people when they are researching treatment facilities. The cost of treatment will vary greatly depending on the facility, the length of stay, amenities, and the programs the patient participates in while in treatment. Many people rely on insurance to pay for treatment and several insurance providers will cover addiction treatments to some extent. It is important to communicate with your insurance company to determine what they will and will not cover and if the treatment facility you are considering is part of the network of providers they will pay for. You can also call the treatment center and provide your policy information to see if you are covered. Unless you can pay out of pocket for treatment or able to secure alternate payment options, it will be vital to select a program where your financial needs can be met as well.

Amenities

Although amenities are not the most important factor you should consider when choosing a rehab program, they are worth considering. Things like yoga studios, individual rooms, massage studios and recreational areas can make your time at treatment (and away from home) more comfortable. Some facilities may offer art, music and exercise classes. These amenities can help make the treatment process more “enjoyable”, but they are not as important as ensuring you receive high quality care provided by trained professionals.

Aftercare

Aftercare may indeed be as important to recovery from alcohol addiction as the medical treatment you receive at rehab. If you are unable to locate recovery resources, secure employment or connect with a social support system within your community, your chances of relapse increase significantly.

Treatment centers do not necessarily have to provide aftercare, but they should help you connect with resources vital to your continued sobriety after your discharge. When you are researching potential facilities, you should look for one that will help you develop a plan for your ongoing recovery after treatment.

The process of researching and selecting the appropriate treatment center can be challenging but the steps you take early on in your process are sure to make the difference between selecting a treatment center where you can be successful versus one where the treatment model may not match with your needs.  As what works for one person will not likely work for the next, a one-size fits all approach will not work when it comes to addiction treatment. For addiction treatment to be successful, it must be tailored to fit your specific needs. At The Hills, we will work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to you and you alone.

At the end of the day, it is vital you choose a treatment center that provides the type of services you need to be successful in treatment and recovery. The facility should meet as many of the requirements above as possible. The idea treatment center for you should be located in the right place, be covered by your insurance (or offer a payment plan you are able to afford) and offer connections to aftercare services. Any additional amenities are an added bonus.

The Hills team understands the importance of choosing the right treatment center in the Los Angeles area and how decision may be difficult. There are many options to choose from and determining which facility offers the treatments and services that are best suited to your addiction may become challenging. If you are ready to seek treatment for your addiction but are confused about where to start, contact us at The Hills. We can provide information about how our treatment center may be able to help you and assist you in determining if The Hills is the right choice for your treatment needs.