10 Tips for Choosing an Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center

In the United States, approximately 140,557 people die from the effects of alcohol each year, and 1 in 10 American over 12 have alcohol use disorder. Chronic alcohol use causes heart and liver disease and devastates careers and family relationships.

If you’re struggling with alcohol use, finding the right alcohol addiction treatment center can completely change your life. Remember, you’re not alone in your struggle, and you’ll find many people willing to help. You just need to be willing to take the first steps toward recovery.

Be sure to keep reading this guide to learn ten helpful tips for finding an alcohol addiction treatment center.

1. Consider Your Needs and Goals

Since every rehab center is different, you must start by identifying your goals and needs. For example, you’ll find some facilities that focus on alcohol addiction, while others have many addiction treatment programs. 

There are also alcohol addiction treatment centers that offer treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders. Over 50% of people with a substance use disorder like alcohol addiction also have a mental illness. If you have a mental illness, finding a treatment center that can treat your addiction and mental illness at the same time is essential.

Finally, don’t forget to look at the various program lengths. Some facilities may offer treatment for up to 30 days, while others have longer treatment program options.

This is the time to think about what a successful alcohol addiction treatment program means for you. 

2. Think About Alcohol Detox

Detox is a significant part of an addiction program, and if you’ve been drinking long-term, you’ll need help managing your withdrawal symptoms. 

When you drink alcohol regularly, the neurotransmitter activity in your brain changes. Neurotransmitters have the job of communicating information from your brain to your body. Since alcohol is a depressant, it affects a neurotransmitter called GABA.

This produces a feeling of relaxation and increased well-being. It also decreases the effects of other neurotransmitters that increase feelings of excitability. However, with chronic alcohol abuse, the brain has to compensate by adjusting neurotransmitter activity. 

As a result, you’ll need more alcohol to achieve the effects you initially had with less alcohol. This leads to alcohol tolerance and dependence, and eventually addiction. 

Alcohol withdrawals begin within 6 to 24 hours after your last drink and include:

• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Intense cravings
• Anxiety
• Insomnia

The next phase begins 24 hours after your last drink, and you’ll have symptoms like confusion, mild hallucinations, and seizures. The final withdrawal stage occurs 48 to 96 hours after your last drink, and you can have severe itching, disorientation, and anxiety.

The last stage of alcohol withdrawal is the most dangerous, and some people can experience delirium tremens (DTs). DTs cause severe symptoms like high blood pressure and seizures and can be life-threatening. 

You’ll need support during withdrawals, such as fluids, healthy foods, and a positive environment. You also may need medications to help treat symptoms like anxiety and seizures. So, you’ll need to ensure the addiction treatment center you choose offers the detox support you need.

3. Check Licensing and Accreditation

While looking at program information, you’ll need to check for proper licensing and accreditation. Reputable alcohol addiction treatment centers need to be accredited by The Joint Commission. You may also see the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). 

Both of these are independent organizations that ensure facilities meet specific standards of care. You should also check to ensure your chosen facility is licensed in your state. Remember that state licensing isn’t the same as accreditation, and each state has different requirements.

Take the time to read through Google reviews to get an overall picture of how helpful people found their services. Don’t be afraid to call and ask detailed questions if you’re not seeing this information on their website.

4. Ask About Insurance Options

The reality is that substance abuse treatment can be expensive. So, if you have insurance coverage, focus on the treatment centers in your insurance network.

Some facilities will work with insurance companies that are out of network, but you’ll need to find out the details. Even if they work with your insurance company, you may still have to pay higher fees. 

If you don’t have insurance, you’ll be expected to pay for treatment out of your pocket. In this case, you’ll need to look into state-funded addiction treatment programs. Each state offers options if you can’t afford private treatment.

These facilities are not luxury, but they offer the highest standards of care necessary to help you through your addiction. However, if you’re eligible, you can attend these programs free of charge.

Finally, some addiction treatment centers offer financing options that allow you to make payments based on your income. 

Overall, many different options are available, so you don’t need to avoid treatment because you think it’s not affordable.

5. Look at the Treatment Center’s Location

Luckily, you’ll be able to find multiple addiction treatment centers in most cities nationwide. The question is, do you choose a facility close to home, or do you choose one farther away?

To determine this, you’ll need to consider the type of environment that would be best for your recovery. A treatment center close to home may be distracting since it will have familiar surroundings and people. Treatment centers farther away allow you to escape these toxic connections and have the time you need to heal.

If you have a lot of family commitments, choosing a facility close to home may be best. This allows you to participate in outpatient treatment while working and caring for your family. However, a completely different location allows for a fresh start for some people.

6. Check the Available Amenities 

Amenities are also an important thing to consider when you’re looking at treatment programs. Remember, if you choose inpatient treatment, you’ll have some downtime between therapy sessions. 

Even just a few simple amenities can make you feel right at home and motivate you through recovery. Many facilities offer amenities like:

• Fitness centers
• Gardens
• Libraries
• Recreation rooms
• Private rooms
• Massage therapy 
• Computer labs
• Group activities

If you choose a facility that doesn’t offer the basic amenities you need, you could end up feeling anxious, bored, and unhappy with your treatment. Even finding a facility that provides simple activities during nights and weekends can make all the difference.

Be sure to look at what you can reasonably afford and find a program that gives you the best of both worlds.

7. Make Sure You’ll Get a Customized Treatment Plan

Addiction treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation that is the same for everybody. Everyone has a unique story when it comes to addiction. Therefore, everyone needs a customized treatment plan that fits their own needs.

When looking at treatment centers, it’s best to find facilities to customize their treatment programs. For example, if you suffer from anxiety and PTSD and use alcohol to cope, you’ll need a different plan than someone else.

Talk to the facility about how they form treatment programs. If you find a treatment center that takes pride in customizing its treatment programs, it’s a great sign. You’ll be sure to get the personalized treatment that meets your needs instead of a cookie-cutter treatment plan.

8. Learn More About Levels of Care

During your research, you’ll find addiction treatment centers that offer different types of treatment, such as:

• Inpatient or residential treatment
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)

Inpatient treatment is the highest level of care, requiring you to live at the facility full-time during treatment. PHPs allow you to live at home, but you must attend treatment for 5 to 6 hours a day. IOPs are the lowest level of care, allowing you to work while attending treatment for 2 to 3 hours a day for a few days a week.

If you have a mild substance use disorder and can still cope with a full-time job, then an IOP may be right for you. On the other hand, if you have other mental health problems, you may need to start with inpatient treatment and change to an IOP later.

Be sure to find a rehab center that offers different levels of care based on your needs and allows you to change programs.

9. Look for Relapse Prevention Training

Remember, relapse is a normal part of the recovery process and doesn’t mean you’ve failed at anything. It only means that you may need a different treatment program to help you stay sober long-term.

Relapse prevention training is counseling that teaches you how to cope with the world around you without relying on alcohol or drugs. It also teaches you how to avoid people and places that remind you of drinking. Essentially, you’ll learn how to manage situations that may expose you to alcohol.

Relapse prevention is a significant part of recovery and should be in your treatment plan. When looking at addiction treatment centers, ensure this is a service they offer.

10. Choose a Program With Strong Aftercare Support

Finally, always remember that your addiction doesn’t stop at the end of a treatment program. Addiction is a chronic condition, and many people make progress for months or even years and suddenly relapse.

Aftercare support is a necessary form of continuous treatment that you’ll need once you complete your initial program. You’ll need to continue with individual counseling and group therapy. You’ll also need to continue with the 12 steps of recovery each day. 

Individual counseling continues to address your mental health challenges while teaching you healthy coping methods. Group therapy allows you to spend time with others facing the same challenges. You’ll continue to need this support for years after you stop drinking.

Make sure the facility you choose offers strong aftercare support, such as:

• Regular meetings
• Support groups
• Activities
• Workshops

Find an Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center Today

Knowing these tips will make finding an alcohol addiction treatment center a much easier process. If you need help finding addiction treatment in your area, you can turn to Detox to Rehab.

We can help you find the treatment programs you need to live a sober life. We provide options for inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, as well as sober living homes. We’re also an inclusive and supportive community that will be with you throughout recovery.

Make sure to get in touch with us today by calling (866) 578-7471 or by visiting us online and filling out our contact form.