10 Things to Keep In Mind While Choosing a Detox Center

Make sure the center has expertise in treating people with the drug you’re addicted to. If you are addicted to alcohol then you will need an alcohol detox service. If you’re addicted to a specific type of drug like Cocaine, Heroin, Prescription drug or Street drug then you will need that specific drug detox service available at the center.

If the detox center does not provide the program you need, it’s best to look for another facility that has the detox treatment expertise best needed for you. Typically, detox centers will provide a list of program offerings on their websites, but if not, you should call the detox center and find out what they offer.

One of the best way to establish credibility as a detoxification center is licensing, certification or accreditation from a neutral, respected organization committed to protecting public safety and promoting quality care. Some of the organizations include:

• Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
• The Joint Commission
  The Joint Commission accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.The Joint Commission conducts inspections of healthcare facilities in the United States and requires detox centers to adhere to stringent operational standards and safety guidelines to receive accreditation. As you evaluate centers, ask to see evidence of their recent industry accreditation’s and certifications.

With so many detox centers in the United States, finding the best could be a challenge. Before you commit to a program, ask for references and recovery rate of success, check online review sites, and seek feedback from your primary care provider or another healthcare professional you know and trust. This will help you to evaluate how successful and effective their treatments are and this will help you in your decision making process.

Doctors, nurses, and support staff who provide detox care should possess the expertise training required to treat substance abuse. Certification is recommended to facilitate treatment results. All National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) candidates must meet minimum education requirements and complete at least 3 years of supervised experience as a Substance Abuse Counselor. This type of certification is offered by the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC).

If you are looking for more individualized treatment then you need to check the patient-to-staff ratio, this will help you to measures how many staff are available to attend the patients. If the facility has a lower patient-to-staff ratio then it means that they have detox specialists and other on site professionals available to attend the patients, this will allow the facility to provide you with an individualized care.

If you have health insurance, you’ll want to make sure that the detox center accepts it. Many centers will verify your insurance for you and provide an adjusted cost of treatment based on your coverage. If you do not have insurance, you may want to find a detox center that provides other payment options. These may include third-party loans, financed payment plans, or Employee Assisted Program (EAP) coverage. You may also choose to pay out-of-pocket.

Withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines can be dangerous in an unsupervised setting.  Street Drug withdrawal can cause gastrointestinal distress, Bone and Joint Pain, muscle aches, etc. Many detox centers provide medication-assisted treatment to ease the symptoms of withdrawal, and this can help in treatment and have the best possible outcome.

Research supports the effectiveness of evidence-based treatment programs. Programs that employ experimental procedures and practices typically lack longevity and scientifically proven effectiveness. Evidence-based treatments are treatment modalities or programs that are backed by scientific research and clinical studies.

If a detox center uses the latest, most up-to-date treatment practices you can trust that they will provide a high-quality detox program for you. When evaluating detox programs, be sure to inquire about treatment methods and their effectiveness.

Alcohol or drug addiction also leads to mental health condition such as anxiety or depression and to provide the right treatment, an accurate diagnosis is needed. For patients with a dual diagnosis, the treatment should include care for addiction and care of mental health disorder at the same time.

The best detox programs offer a variety of services and interventions to optimize the odds of successful detox, including medical interventions, individual therapy, group therapy, Yoga, Acupuncture, Chiropractic Therapy, Sound Therapy, Massage Therapy and relapse-prevention therapy.

Detox is a very important step in addiction treatment; however it is just the first step. People recovering from a substance use often face significant challenges in maintaining their sobriety. Drug and alcohol detox should be followed up with a continued care plan which will guide you through the next phases of your addiction treatment.

Continuing Care can take the form of an alumni network that helps reinforce the goal of drug and alcohol abstinence. Any detox center you choose should provide expert assistance continuing your care after your detox program is over.