How to Choose Treatment

Choosing an addiction treatment program is an important decision. This guide offers considerations and questions to help you evaluate your options.

Assess Your Needs

Before looking at programs, consider:

• Severity of use: How long and how heavily have you been using? This affects what level of care may be appropriate.
• Medical needs: Do you have health conditions that require medical attention during treatment?
• Mental health: Are there co-occurring mental health conditions that should be addressed?
• Support system: Do you have stable housing and support at home?
• Obligations: What work, family, or other responsibilities must you maintain?

Understand Levels of Care

Treatment comes in different intensities:

• Detox: Medical supervision during withdrawal
• Residential/Inpatient: 24-hour care in a treatment facility
• PHP: Intensive day treatment, returning home at night
• IOP: Several hours of treatment multiple days per week
• Outpatient: Regular therapy sessions while living at home

Many people move through multiple levels during their recovery.

Questions to Ask Programs

About the Program

• What is your treatment approach or philosophy?
• What does a typical day look like?
• How long is your program?
• What is your staff-to-patient ratio?
• Do you treat co-occurring mental health conditions?

About Staff

• What credentials do your clinical staff hold?
• Is there a physician on staff or available?
• Is there 24-hour medical support (for residential)?

About Quality

• Are you licensed by the state?
• Are you accredited (CARF, Joint Commission)?
• What outcome data do you track?

About Logistics

• What insurance do you accept?
• What are the out-of-pocket costs?
• What is included in the cost?
• What is your discharge and aftercare planning process?

Red Flags

Be cautious of programs that:

• Make guarantees about outcomes
• Pressure you to decide immediately
• Won't provide clear information about costs
• Can't explain their treatment approach
• Discourage outside support or family involvement
• Won't discuss staff credentials

Trust Your Instincts

After gathering information, trust your sense of whether a program feels right. You're more likely to succeed in treatment that fits your values and needs.