Professionals in the alcohol treatment field offer advice on what to consider when choosing a treatment program.
Overall, gather as much information as you can about the program or provider before making a decision on treatment. If you know someone who has first-hand knowledge of the program, it may help to ask about his or her personal experience.
Here are some questions you can ask that may help guide your choice:
- What kind of treatment does the program or provider offer?
It is important to gauge if the facility provides all the currently available methods or relies on one approach. You may want to learn if the program or provider offers medication and if mental health issues are addressed together with addiction treatment. - Is treatment tailored to the individual?
Matching the right therapy to the individual is important to its success. No single treatment will benefit everyone. It may also be helpful to determine whether treatment will be adapted to meet changing needs as they arise. - What is expected of the patient?
You will want to understand what will be asked of you in order to decide what treatment best suits your needs. - Is treatment success measured?
By assessing whether and how the program or provider measures success, you may be able to better compare your options. - How does the program or provider handle relapse?
Relapse is common and you will want to know how it is addressed. For more information on relapse, see Relapse Is Part of the Process.
When seeking professional help, it is important you feel respected and understood and that you have a feeling of trust that this person, group, or organization can help you. Remember, though, that relationships with doctors, therapists, and other health professionals can take time to develop.
