Finding the Best Treatment

Finding the Best Treatment

Last Updated (Sunday, 03 August 2008 17:34) Sunday, 03 August 2008 17:02

1. Are you licensed by the State to provide substance abuse treatment and do you accept my insurance?
   • Agencies must be licensed and financial considerations are a reality.  Many agencies have sliding scales.  Agencies that are the most expensive do not necessarily offer the best services.
2. What philosophy of treatment do you use?
   • There is no superior philosophy.  A philosophy of treatment that includes caring about individuals who have addictions and working with them during fluctuating motivation is critical.  If clients feel comfortable in treatment, they stay in treatment. If they stay in treatment, they improve.
3. How long is treatment?
   • Research shows that treatment needs to be at least three months in length.  When there are complicating factors such as another mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, etc.) or the lack of other external resources (i.e., unemployed, homeless, etc.), treatment will need to be longer. 
4. Will my loved one have access to both group and individual therapy?
   • Agencies should offer a variety of treatment, including psychoeducational classes, group therapy, and individual therapy.  If clients only receive group therapy it is difficult for the staff to truly evaluate their clients’ progress in treatment, and almost impossible to address the personal issues that lead to urges, cravings or relapses. 
5. Do you have someone who can provide medication management if necessary?
   • Simultaneously addressing health, mental health and addiction is the best practice.  Sometimes there is a need for medication in addition to therapy.  Agencies that employ or have access to prescribers can provide more comprehensive treatment.
6. How do you deal with relapses or continued use?
   • Residential treatment agencies should examine each situation on a case by case basis rather than implementing a global policy to immediately discharge someone who has relapsed.  Agencies should express awareness that addiction can be a relapsing disease.  They should indicate they explore relapses, help their clients learn from them, and bolster coping strategies for future high risk situations.  Termination from outpatient treatment should be based on a sustained period during which the client has not participated in treatment. 
7. Will you work with my loved one even when he/she isn’t very motivated?
   • It is normal for motivation to fluctuate during treatment.  Agencies should believe in the importance of keeping clients engaged, including calling them when they have missed appointments and providing continued support during the more difficult times.
8. Will you encourage my loved one to sign a release of information just so I know they are showing up for treatment?
   • Therapy is a very private experience and it is unnecessary and often counterproductive for you to know what is being discussed in treatment.  However, when your loved one is an adult who lives in your home, or you are paying for their treatment, having knowledge of their participation will help you set the appropriate limits, make the best decisions you can, and help you determine the best way for you to support your loved one. 
9. Will you involve me in the treatment process?
   • Treatment should involve the participation of those who are closest to the individual struggling with addiction.  Groups, classes, couples counseling or individual time spent educating loved ones about addiction and how they can respond in a supportive manner which is respectful of their own personal boundaries is important and should be available in treatment.
10. Do you offer recovery services such as aftercare groups?
    • Recovery services are critical for sustaining abstinence.  Agencies should either offer their own services or should encourage client participation in other services such as community support groups (e.g., AA, NA).  Ideally, the agencies should develop an aftercare plan with their clients and encourage attendance in recovery services prior to their actual discharge from treatment.