November
If you are looking for a long term rehab center for yourself or on behalf of a loved one, you are probably wondering how to tell a great one from a mediocre one. They’re all the same, right? No! Don’t assume that all drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers are the same. You need to find one that specializes in relapse prevention.
If someone you love has gotten to the point where they can no longer tackle their alcohol and/or drug addiction on their own, you are wise to help them find a place of safety where they can begin their new life of sobriety. There are many different types of facilities. Some specialize in getting the patient clean and sober and out on their own again. That’s a good goal. But if the facility exists to detox patients but then leaves them to fend for themselves out in the real world, it’s highly likely that a relapse will occur. And that defeats the whole purpose.
Look for an alcohol and drug treatment center that focuses on relapse prevention. Yes, you want to ultimately get yourself or your loved one free from the substances that are plaguing their lives. And that is definitely the first step. But it’s only the first step. What the program offers after the patient is clean is of the utmost importance.
You want a facility that receives you with open arms whether this is the patient’s first or thirty-first attempt at sobriety. If you are the patient, you will want to make sure that you feel welcomed and respected and treated with dignity. If you are among the family members, you want to feel heard and know that you are able to make comments and have contact with the patient as much as the program allows. If you feel shunned or hurried out the door, perhaps you should look into another place.
There should be plenty of interaction with the staff as well as many opportunities for group and individual counseling. There should be a wide array of services provided and specifically, programs that provide strategies to increase the chances for long-term success. You want a program that focuses on building up your life skills so that you can reenter the mainstream of life and do it well. A program that guides you through coping mechanisms and helps you form a new view of the future without substances is the one you want to select.
There is no shortage of facilities, including long term alcohol rehabilitation centers, out there. And sadly, there is no shortage of addicts to fill the beds. Your entire goal in locating a stellar facility is to look for one that will get you back on track in the event of a relapse and prevent future backsliding from occurring. One that offers a strong arsenal of coping strategies will make for a bright and substance-free future. Get to a good facility and get started on the rest of your life.
About the Author: Marc Samuels has years of experience working in the drug & alcohol rehab industry and helping individuals find a life sobriety
