With the opioid epidemic growing every year, federal, state, and local governments are doing whatever they can to increase access to treatment. A big part of that is making sure addiction treatment is covered by insurance and funding programs to help get more people into treatment. Generally speaking, this is a good thing. Every year, there are more treatment options and more ways to afford treatment. However, it has also spawned some disreputable treatment centers, which are sometimes worse than not seeking treatment at all. Here are some ways you can tell whether an addiction treatment center will provide quality care.
What to beware of
The first thing to look out for is generic websites and advertisements. If you can’t figure out exactly where a treatment center is or even the name of it from the ad, don’t bother calling. These ads are typically for brokers who are just selling your information to the highest bidder without concerning themselves with whether that highest bidder is a good fit for you. The same goes for any unsolicited contact. Also be wary of offers to pay for travel or other expenses. These, along with offers to pay for insurance, copays, or deductibles may be illegal inducements to get you to go to a certain treatment facility. Unsolicited referrals to out of state facilities are often looking to place you in an out-of-network program, which can charge your insurance more. As for the programs themselves, a major warning sign is if they don’t ask for background information about you, your addiction history, or your medical history. They should want access to your doctors, counselors, and therapists so they can determine whether their program is a good fit for you. Good programs can afford to be selective and won’t just admit anyone who calls. Also, watch out for frequent, or perhaps daily, lab tests, which serve no purpose other than to run up your bill.
What to look for
There are several signs that a treatment center will provide quality care. One is patient-to-staff ratio. The smaller this is, the fewer patients each staff member has to see, and the more individual attention each patient gets. Also look for staff qualifications. There should be at least one physician certified in addiction medicine, as well as master’s or PhD level counselors and therapists. Since many people seeking addiction treatment have co-occurring conditions, both physical and mental health issues, it’s important the facility is equipped to handle these too. If you have a specific medical condition, ask whatever questions you have to to be sure they can meet your needs. Another good sign is if the facility offers good follow-up care. This often includes follow-up counseling, an alumni network and events, and someone checking in to see how your recovery is progressing. This not only helps patients make the transition back to regular life, but it gives the treatment center valuable information about the effectiveness of their programs.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental illness, we can help. Recovery Ways is a premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have the resources to effectively treat a dual diagnosis. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible substance abuse treatment to as many people as possible. Request information online or call us today at 1-888-986-7848.
