Gregg Jantz

Treatment Center Checklist

drgreggjantz | 02 August, 2007 05:56

Treatment Center Evaluation
Finding the Program That’s Right For You

Deciding to enter into treatment for help with a significant issue in your life is tough. With programs and treatment centers all across the country, how can you know which is the best option for you, or for a loved one? With so much invested, you want to have confidence in your choice.

This checklist has been created to help you compare programs and make a personalized decision on which is right for you or for a loved one. Utilizing the 7 Keys to Long-Term Recovery, this checklist can help point you in the right direction.

7 Keys to Long-Term Recovery

Small, Flexible Treatment

Each person is an individual, with a unique situation and needs. Recovery occurs best outside of a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Within a small, flexible program, individuals are recognized as such and treated with respect and dignity, not herded from place to place to fulfill the demands of “the program.”

Multi-Focused Recovery

Often, people have attempted to self-medicate their pain through addictive behaviors prior to engaging in treatment. These patterns can take on a life of their own, complicating recovery if not addressed. Recovery is enhanced when these addictive behaviors are identified, acknowledged and placed into context.

Individual Therapeutic Sessions

Treatment programs are generally a mix of group sessions, individual sessions and outside activities. Group sessions provide insight and support through others. Outside activities enhance and augment the therapeutic process. Individual sessions, however, can provide the best avenue for in-depth, individual, focused recovery work.

Therapeutic Treatment Team

People come to therapy with individual needs and unique personalities. These unique personalities respond in different ways to different people. By providing a variety of backgrounds, skills and presentations, a therapeutic treatment team is able to connect in a greater number of ways to each person.

Whole-Person Based

Each person is a multi-faceted individual, whose issues affect all avenues of life. When the emotional, relational, physical and spiritual components of a person are addressed, recovery is enhanced within the whole-person. An integrated recovery offers the greatest opportunity for long-term success.

Core Issues Addressed

Some treatment programs deal primarily with the outside, external symptoms of underlying internal issues. While help must be provided for those external symptoms, true recovery takes place when the underlying core issues are examined, acknowledged and addressed. Once a core issue is understood, the ability to make positive changes is enhanced.

Philosophy of Hope

The power of Hope cannot be over-emphasized. For long-term, successful treatment, it is imperative to work with a program that truly believes in the possibility of change. This foundational belief is then communicated throughout every aspect of program interaction. It is this belief in a person’s ability to change, grow and move beyond today that stimulates one of the greatest tools in recovery - a return of optimism, hope and joy.

As you are evaluating different programs, please keep a few things in mind:

Price alone is not a valid indicator of the long-term success of a program. Look first at how each program addresses the 7 Keys. Invest in the program that integrates the highest number of these keys and is in what you’ve determined to be your price range.
As you’re determining your price range, be as flexible and creative as you can be in coming up with a recovery amount. As you review your own financial situation, consider short-term loans from equity, retirement or life insurance. Do you have family or friends who would be willing to help? Could you take out a low interest credit card to use for payment? Treatment can be expensive but life-long recovery is priceless.
When considering different programs, don’t automatically assume the least expensive program is the best choice for your time and money. A program that doesn’t work for you is not a good investment and may require further treatment in the future.
It is always good to remember that secondary issues may surface during treatment for a primary issue. As you are evaluating treatment programs, be sure to ask about program components available for treating primary and secondary issues.
When considering different programs, do more than look over the printed or online information; call the program and ask to speak to the Admissions Director. Every program will have a different “personality,” based upon the characteristics of the people who operate it. What is the person like over the phone? Do they take time with you, understanding and answering your questions? Are they available and do they call back when they say they will? You can often get a feel for a program just by speaking with contact staff over the phone. If you are listened to, valued and validated over the phone, you probably will be in person.

I want you to know that The Center for Counseling & Health Resources, Inc. meets all of the above criteria and more.