Guide to Finding Treatment
If you have ever either been to treatment or have a loved one who has, you probably know taking the first step and helping someone arrive at a treatment center can be one of the hardest parts of getting someone sober. For this reason, we have made this guide to help with the confusion and frustration that arises in the process of finding someone help.
1) What Resources are Available?
This is the first thing to figure out before you even get on the phone and start calling places. There are several different types of treatment out there, and they require different levels of insurance and financial resources. Does your loved one have insurance? If so, what kind of insurance? Here is a quick breakdown to help clear up some of the confusion on insurance:
Private Insurance:
Private Insurance covers most types of treatment, however, payment of a deductible may be required, just as if you went to a doctor’s office. An important note is to make sure the treatment center is not going to kick your loved one out of treatment if insurance stops covering.
State insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare:
These types of insurance will only cover a limited scope of treatment centers. If you have state insurance, it will only cover specific treatment centers in that state. Medicaid and Medicare might not be state-specific, but they are only accepted at some treatment centers. Because of the fact these programs can be fully covered with no out-of-pocket cost, don’t be surprised if there is a waiting list to get your loved one into treatment.
State-funded or free programs:
Free programs can be rare, but they do exist. Many of these programs subsidize the program cost by having the patient work to raise money for the program. Waiting lists for these types of treatment can be quite long.
Out-of-pocket treatment:
If you are going to pay for treatment, almost all treatment centers have a cash pay rate. Some centers will offer financial assistance, as well. Keep in mind if you are going to pay out-of-pocket, do your research. Make sure the treatment center is not going to hit you for additional charges later down the road.
2) What does the treatment offer
This will depend on what resources you have available. However, it is good to learn about what the program provides either way. Does the program offer in house detox? What type of counseling does the treatment center offer? Does the treatment center focus on treatment or try to wow you with a bunch of bells and whistles? These are essential things to figure out. With how difficult it is to get someone into treatment, you will want to make sure they have the best shot of getting the help they need.
3) Length of time
If you have the choice, we always advise focusing on getting your loved one into long term treatment. Thirty days can be much too short as many times, recovering addicts are still suffering from post-acute withdrawal symptoms. This means that by day 30, they still aren’t feeling 100% mentally or physically and by leaving treatment in that condition, it is harder for them to remain sober.
We also always recommend getting your loved one out of the area as well.
We hope this will help you find treatment more quickly and with less headache.
If you are having trouble finding treatment, you can call us for assistance.
