When it comes to choosing a substance use disorder treatment program for yourself or a loved one, the decision can feel overwhelming. Family members and friends often reach out to me, seeking guidance on what aspects are important to review and explore. Below, I’ve outlined four key considerations when choosing a treatment program.
Treatment Program History
A treatment program with an established track record is a good indicator that they have strong leadership and qualified staff behind it.
This isn’t to dismiss new treatment programs or providers, as I believe those called to this field are wanting to support the best way possible and most will do a great job. However, I’ve seen new treatment programs open with strong financial backing but the treatment providers running the program had little previous experience.
Provider Credentialing and Experience
In the state of Michigan, look for providers with a CAADC (Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor) credential. I equate experience with expertise. If a provider doesn’t have a lot of experience, consider if they have strong supervision and experience around them.
Providers with a CAADC credential have:
- A master’s degree in a relevant field, such as psychology or social work;
- Completed 186 hours of education, including 180 hours related to substance abuse;
- Completed 2,000 hours of paid addiction counseling experience, including 100 hours supervised by SUD services;
- Passed the IC&RC/AADC exam and a Drug Counselor examination;
- Continue to complete continuing education hours each year to keep their credential.
Program Accreditation
Confirm that the treatment program you are considering has been accredited by:
“Accreditation is a review to determine if programs/services meet defined international standards of quality in health and human services,” states the CARF website.
Continuum of Care
Substance use disorder treatment occurs at many levels— detox, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment, medication assisted treatment and outpatient services. Programs can provide treatment at one, several or all of these levels. Those that provide all said to offer the full continuum of care.
For example, some treatment programs specialize in long-term residential treatment. But when a patient completes their long-term residential treatment program, the patient is then referred to a different provider for outpatient services.
If you prefer a continuum of care versus changing treatment providers for each level of care, consider programs that provide all the following services:
- Medically supervised detox
- Residential
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Medication assisted treatment
- Individual and group therapy
While no substance use disorder treatment program can guarantee a cure or ensure that you or your loved one will never face struggles or relapses again, they should offer the essential guidance, knowledge, skills, and support needed to transition from active addiction to a life of recovery. The journey to recovery is challenging and may require multiple treatment episodes to achieve long-term sobriety. By considering these four key suggestions, you can feel confident that you are on the right path towards freedom from addiction.
