Signs of a Great Rehab Center

There's nothing shameful about having to go to rehab to get yourself back on track. In fact, deciding to take active measures to fix the negative things in your life caused by addiction is something to be proud of, not something that's embarrassing. Indeed, it would be more embarrassing to stay on a destructive path than to take some time out of your life to pull everything back together.

Naturally, the next step after deciding you need help is to figure out which rehab center to go to. You want to find a rehab center that actually cares about its intended mission and isn't just a fancy hotel with extra steps. But then, how does one differentiate a legitimate rehabilitation center from one that's just set up to make money off of vulnerable individuals? There are some things to look out for, as good rehab centers all tend to have a few things in common with one another. When you're doing your research, look for these things:

A Focus on the Real Issues

While it might seem that with addiction, the consumption of substances is the problem, there are typically underlying problems that compel individuals to seek out these substances as a form of escapism. Mental health issues are the primary driver for addictive behavior, such as unresolved childhood traumas or issues such as depression or anxiety. A good rehab center will focus on these issues, instead of just trying to keep people away from their drug or drugs of choice.

Devoted Staff

Staff members who are accredited and dedicated to their patients fare much better than those who aren't. By accredited, we mean that these people are actually medical professionals who are backed up by their respective organizations. The more nurses, physicians, psychiatrists, and really qualified medical professionals on site or on call, the better the center is. The most popular drug rehab center will always have a large roster of qualified staff ready to help their patients.

High Success Rate

The success rate of a particular rehab center is a statistic that you should definitely seek out. However, make sure that you understand how any specific center measures success. Look for clear-cut definitions of what they consider to be a successful treatment. For some, success is merely keeping their patients clean and healthy for the duration of their stay (a relatively simple task), while more reputable centers consider success as the remission of addictive behavior for a significant period of time after the patient has been discharged. Also, if the center is specialized for a 'very difficult to treat' type of addiction, a relatively low success rate might actually be worthwhile as opposed to disheartening. Simple alcohol issues are easier to treat than people who medicate with hard drugs due to childhood trauma. Make sure to do your homework, and take everything into account before coming to any conclusions.

Parting Words

The best rehab centers focus on having trained and experienced staff who truly understands the nature of addiction and how to rewire people's minds and habits for the better. Going to rehab shouldn't just be a band-aid fix, but the beginning of a huge shift in cognition and lifestyle. Make sure you pick a center that will help you for life, instead of the one that will only help you for a few months.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.