What Questions Should I Ask A Rehab?

If you’re considering joining drug or alcohol rehab or know a loved one who requires rehab treatment, the best thing you can do is to find out as much information as possible before joining a rehab facility.

Treatment at rehab is a huge commitment, both financially and personally. It requires your full attention to ensure that you achieve a full recovery in the most effective way possible.

Asking as many questions as you can prior to joining private alcohol and drug rehab gives you the opportunity to alleviate any nerves or fear of the unknown and helps you to know exactly what the rehab centre expects to happen during your treatment.

Do You Personalise Your Treatment Programmes?

All effective treatment programmes should begin with an individual assessment to determine the unique needs of each person. This is an essential process that helps the rehab team to create the most beneficial treatment programme for each person that will address their personal circumstances.

There’s no one size fits all solution to rehab treatment, therefore an individual assessment is so crucial to designing a treatment programme which includes the most effective therapy sessions for each person.

These therapy sessions should include a carefully selected combination of physical, psychological and well-being therapies to ensure each person receives a well-rounded, holistic approach to achieve a long-term recovery.

What is the Staff to Resident Ratio?

At every rehab centre, you should receive as much time and attention as needed to help you recover.

When considering which rehab centre is best for you to join, you should ask how many staff members they have and how many people will be dedicated to supporting your recovery.

If you don’t have the right resources available to you, it’s unlikely that you’ll have a positive experience at rehab.

Do You Use Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches?

Each rehab centre will have a slightly different approach to their rehabilitation programmes. Studies have shown that evidence-based treatment programmes have produced the highest rate of positive outcomes for those recovering from addiction.

Although there are many different types of methods available to treat addiction, for most people, the most effective method includes a personalised programme featuring a combination of psychological and well-being therapies such as counselling, relapse prevention, and medication.

What Type of Detoxification is Offered?

Drug and alcohol detox is often the first step in any rehab treatment programme. Gradually reducing the consumption of drugs or alcohol in a safe way gives your body a chance to cleanse from the harmful toxins and restore to a healthy state.

It’s important that you join a rehab centre which understands the importance of a medical detoxification and has the expert team to manage any withdrawal symptoms that occur.

Depending on the severity of each person’s addiction, withdrawal can be very unpleasant and potentially life threatening. Therefore, it’s crucial to have 24/7 medical assistance by your side as you manage the potential symptoms of nausea, dizziness, headaches, seizures, insomnia, and even delirium tremens (the DT’s).

Every rehab centre should offer a medical detox to always ensure your safety and general well-being throughout your treatment.

How Much Does Rehab Treatment Cost?

How much rehab treatment costs depends on where you receive your treatment. It’s possible to receive free treatment with local health services like the NHS, however, this is a generic treatment plan which hasn’t proved to be highly effective due to the time and resource shortage at the NHS.

Whilst private drug and alcohol rehab centres have a cost associated with them, they’ve proven to be much more effective as you receive a personalised treatment plan with the option to join residential rehab as an inpatient.

Cost should never be a barrier to receiving the treatment you need, although it’s of course an important factor to consider. If you’re concerned about the cost of rehab, there are funding options that you can explore; it’s certainly worth asking prospective rehab centres about these options.

How Long Will the Programme Take?

How long treatment takes will vary for each person as this is dependent on the severity of the addiction and on each person’s individual circumstances.

Most rehab centres recommend at least 28 days of treatment; however, this has the potential to be shorter or longer depending on the individual needs of the patient.

Everyone will react differently to the rehabilitation process; some will take longer than others to complete the detoxification process which is typically how most treatment programmes begin.

Once the physical detoxification is complete, it’s then the psychological treatment which takes place. Again, this varies on the severity of each person’s addiction and how well they accept the treatment.

Can Dual Diagnosis be Treated?

If you’re suffering from both an addiction and a mental health problem, this is often referred to as a dual diagnosis.

Whilst this can be more complex to treat than a standalone addiction, you should take this into consideration when searching for a rehab centre to join.

If you’re living with a dual diagnosis, then an integrated treatment plan is the most effective solution which not all rehab centres offer. It’s useful to talk to the staff in advance about their options and expertise in treating dual diagnosis to ensure they can offer you the support you need to achieve a full recovery.

What Kind of Aftercare is Offered?

Aftercare is just as important as the initial rehab treatment itself. Recovery is an ongoing process that requires knowledge and support, particularly once you leave the rehab centre.

Asking a prospective rehab centre about their aftercare programme will be crucial to the success of your recovery.
Most rehab centres will offer ongoing therapy sessions, access to support networks like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, and a dedicated helpline with 24/7 advice.

Some rehab centres may also offer support to your friends and family if you wish for them to be included in your rehabilitation.

Contact us with any questions you have about drug or alcohol rehab – we will be happy to help.