Signs of a QUALITY addiction and rehab program

Here are 10 factors relating to the rehabilitation process that you may want to consider or further research before committing to a treatment program.

1. Staff Credentials

As with any health concern, you’ll want therapy and treatment services to be administered by trained individuals. Studies have found that clinicians with higher education and/or national certifications are more likely to adopt evidence-based practices.

Rehab facilities typically display the credentials of their staff, so it shouldn’t be difficult to check whether the therapists possess relevant certifications. While therapists who have experience with addiction themselves may offer a special connection and inherent recovery wisdom, the proper certifications will serve as solid indicators of a therapist’s expertise. 

HB Treatment Center adheres to a strict hiring standard that requires all employees to maintain the appropriate credentials for their specific role in the company. In addition, ALL employees are required to enroll in ongoing Relias training, which assures the entire staff remain fully trained on the latest methods and practices for treatment of substance abuse patients

2. Program Licensing & Accreditation

Licensing by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) are all important for substance abuse treatment facilities for several reasons:

1. Quality Assurance: DHCS licensure, CARF accreditation, and JCAHO accreditation all ensure that the facility meets certain quality standards in terms of personnel, facilities, treatment methods, and patient care. This helps to ensure that patients receive high-quality care that adheres to established best practices.

2. Legal Compliance: DHCS licensure ensures that the facility complies with state regulations regarding substance abuse treatment. Similarly, CARF and JCAHO accreditation demonstrate compliance with national standards, which may also be required by certain payers or regulatory bodies.

3. Credibility and Trust: Being licensed by DHCS and accredited by CARF and JCAHO enhances the credibility and trustworthiness of the facility in the eyes of patients, their families, referring healthcare providers, and insurance companies. It signals that the facility has undergone rigorous evaluation and meets recognized standards of excellence.

4. Access to Funding: Many insurance companies and government agencies require facilities to be licensed and accredited in order to receive reimbursement for services. DHCS licensure, CARF accreditation, and JCAHO accreditation can therefore expand the facility’s access to funding sources, enabling it to serve more patients and offer a broader range of services.

5. Continuous Improvement: CARF and JCAHO accreditation involve ongoing performance improvement processes, which can help the facility to identify areas for improvement and implement changes to enhance the quality of care over time. This focus on continuous improvement is beneficial for both patients and staff.

In summary, DHCS licensure, CARF accreditation, and JCAHO accreditation are important for substance abuse treatment facilities because they ensure quality assurance, legal compliance, credibility, access to funding, and opportunities for continuous improvement.

HB Treatment Centers are licensed by the state of California (DHCS) and maintain both CARF and JCAHO accreditations.

3. Financing Options

A sign of a higher quality rehab center is a sense of transparency and a willingness to help you access treatment in spite of your financial limitations.

Treatment centers that help you understand financial obligations are typically honorable in many aspects of their operations. While the facility may not be able to give you every detail about the cost right up-front, they should make an effort to help you understand your coverage options per your individual insurance provider, as well as any other financing options available, including scholarships and sliding scale payments.

A treatment facility with multiple financing options is also a sign of a patient-centered organization. Addiction affects individuals of every socio-economic status; therefore, a facility that recognizes the varying financial restrictions a patient may face and works with them to find ways to pay for their care will likely be a sincere advocate in their recovery.

HBTC works with all clients to come up with a financial arrangement that works for both sides. We rarely collect on anything beyond what insurance covers and even offers sponsorships for certain clients.

4. Tailored Treatment Plans

Research indicates that effective addiction treatment is individualized per the needs of the patient. If the facility takes a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, you may want to look at other options.

Effective addiction treatment is individualized per the needs of the patient. Quality treatment addresses multiple facets of one’s addiction, including any associated medical, psychological, or social issues. Effective treatment is also tailored to the individual’s age, ethnicity, gender, and culture. A customized treatment program will offer a combination of services to match the patient’s unique needs.

For example, a patient with co-occurring disorders (i.e., a substance use disorder and other mental health issue) may require a very specific therapeutic approach that may not be right for another patient. Individuals with specific types of substance use disorders may be good candidates for medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

HBTC starts with a thorough evaluation of your condition and creates an individualized plan that recognizes and takes into account your personal stressors and supports, as well as what did or did not work for you in previous recovery attempts.

5. Access to Quality, Onsite Medical Care

Substance misuse affects the body and mind in numerous ways, some of which may not become apparent until the individual attempts to stop. For this reason, medical attention should be available to address any physical and mental health concerns arising as a result of physiological dependence and associated withdrawal syndromes. A rehab center with physicians and nurses onsite will be able to address any medical concerns without taking the patient out of their recovery environment.

HBTC provides care from qualified nurses and physicians during detox since it’s particularly important for managing withdrawal from opioids, sedative-hypnotics, and alcohol, due to the possibility of severe discomfort and potential medical complications, such as seizures (in the case of sedatives or alcohol). 

6. Serene Locale

Research indicates that certain social and environmental triggers may increase the likelihood of relapse. During the early recovery phase, it can be beneficial to eliminate as many potential triggers as possible so that the individual may focus on recovery without unneeded strain and distractions. A calm and inspiring environment can help minimize environmental stressors and offer a reconnection to the beauty of nature and the possibilities of a life without drugs.

However, while location is important, many standard rehab programs provide quality treatment services without the benefit of a lengthy list of amenities or vacation like-environments. While HBTC provides clean and comfortable rooms, a program’s treatment approach should be the main focus.

7. Life Skills Training

The goal of addiction treatment is for the recovering individual to live a full life after the treatment program concludes. In order to successfully reintegrate with the outside world and stay sober, you’ll need to develop life skills to cope with the inevitable daily stressors and precarious social situations that might come up.   

HBTC offers general life skills coaching ranging from finance management to job hunting in order to equip our clients with the knowledge and tools they need to live independently post-treatment. Our staff shares personal knowledge and teaches patients technical skills such as how to plan meals and cook or how to manage their bank accounts and address any existing debts. This type of training helps give patients the confidence and tools to thrive once they complete their treatment.

8. Family Therapy

It is widely recognized that addiction is a family disease, meaning that addiction takes a toll on all members of the family unit. Relationships with family members can also contribute to the addicted person’s patterns of behavior and continued substance use. For these reasons, many rehab facilities integrate the individual’s close family into the treatment process.

HBTC provides therapy and education that focuses on the healing of the whole family unit and offers all members a chance to better understand substance use disorders and the interactions that may contribute to the addicted person’s use. The goal of family therapy is two-fold: 1) to offer the right kind of support to the addicted individual, and 2) to strengthen the entire family’s emotional wellbeing. 

9. Aftercare Planning

The recovery process extends well beyond the first 30, 60, or 90 days of treatment. In fact, longer engagement in treatment including aftercare has many proven benefits, such as fewer relapses and better social functioning.

The best rehab centers place resources and attention on each patient’s aftercare plan. At HBTC all clients are assigned a case manager who is closely involved in the entire treatment process and will help develop a plan with the recovering individual for care and support after treatment. This plan may include:

• Continued group or individual therapy.
• Step-down program from residential care to a formal sober living environment.
• Continued outpatient treatment.
• 12-step or other recovery support groups. 

10. Alumni Programs

As a part of aftercare planning, HBTC offers alumni programs that provide ongoing, post-treatment support. These programs provide opportunities for alumni to connect with one another and the alumni coordinators from the treatment facility.

These programs help those in recovery by:

• Keeping them connected to the recovery community via events and service opportunities alongside other alumni.
• Increased accountability for continued sobriety and well-being through participation in peer support groups.
• Offering encouragement, support, and fellowship from people who can empathize with their struggles.
• Providing continued resources for coping skills and tools for preventing relapse.