10 Questions to Ask a Rehab Facility

1. Are you accredited?

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and the Joint Commission on Accredited Health Organizations (JCAHO) have established standards for staffing, record keeping, success rates, and other factors. Accredited rehab facilities have met these standards of care.

2. Do you have immediate openings?

In some cases, a popular rehab facility in a beautiful location may have a waiting list. Although it is important for the patient to feel comfortable in the rehab environment, delaying admission can be dangerous; the addict may change their mind about getting treatment. It is often better to find another facility with a similar program and amenities than to take the risk that treatment might not happen at all.

3. Where is your facility located?

Depending on the needs and preferences of the addict, it may be important to either “get away” from the situation entirely or stay “close to home” to feel connected to family, friends, or their career.

4. How much does your program cost?

This practical question should be one of the first you ask. Although you may have a number of options when paying for rehab (Read Will My Insurance Pay for Rehab?), if the program only accepts out-of-pocket payments and $100,000/month isn’t in your budget, it doesn’t make sense to ask about the amenities of their facility.

5. How long is your program?

Ideally, the program will be at least 30 days. Most programs range from 30 to 90 days in length. Some research suggests that, for certain substances, the longer the program, the better the outcome. There are even some 2-year programs available for people who are suffering from opiate addictions.

6. How often is the patient’s progress evaluated?

Rigid treatment programs that follow the same plan for all patients and make no periodic adjustments might not be your best option. Because every person is different, a good program should have mechanisms in place for making changes when necessary.

7. Do you offer any post-discharge services?

Recovery does not end after a rehab program has been completed. Addicts and their families can benefit from additional post-discharge services that are offered by some facilities. These might include referrals for continued care in your community (e.g., psychiatrists or psychologists), assistance with legal matters related to substance abuse, help finding employment, and other potential services.

8. Do you offer any specialty services?

Some rehab facilities specialize in accommodating the needs and/or preferences of specific groups such as executives, teens, Christians, pregnant women, and others. Other facilities are equipped to handle co-occurring mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.

9. Do you use evidence-based practices?

Essentially, you want to know if they’ve done their homework. Evidence-based care applies the up-to-date findings of scientific research related to addiction to patient care.

10. How are patients prepared to reenter the community?

Does the program offer job-skills training or have planned excursions into the community?