How to Choose a Detox Center

If you are searching for a detox center for yourself or a loved one, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed. Unfortunately, according to an article from the New York Times, most people do more research when shopping for a car than when researching addiction treatment centers.¹ With so many different types of facilities, it’s vital that you spend the necessary time researching your options before making a choice. Otherwise, you may end up at a detox center that uses ineffective and outdated methods.

Getting started is easier than you might think and this guide will take you step-by-step through the most important factors to consider before choosing a detox center.

Do I Need Detox?

Most individuals who are suffering from addiction will need to complete a drug detox program before enrolling in drug and alcohol rehab. Detox is an essential part of the rehabilitation process, as it cleanses the body of toxins and chemicals left behind from addictive substances. It also provides time for you to break your physical dependence on your substance of choice before continuing with rehab, where you will focus on breaking your psychological dependence.

Drug and alcohol detox typically takes anywhere from five to seven days, but the length of each detox program will vary based on the client’s individual circumstances and needs. It’s impossible to say exactly how long the process will take for you, but you should plan to spend at least five days in detox.

What to Look For

If you’ve never been to a detox center before, you may not know what to expect, let alone what to look for. Here are the most important details to investigate before enrolling in any detox program.

1. Drug Detox Programming

First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure the detox center has the type of detox program you need. If you are addicted to alcohol, you’ll need an alcohol detox program. If you’re addicted to opiates, you’ll need an opiate detox program. If a detox center does not provide the program you need, it’s best to keep searching for one that does. Typically, detox centers will provide a list of program offerings on their websites, but if not, you may need to call and find out what they offer.

2. Accreditation and Affiliations

A detox center’s accreditation and affiliations say a lot about its quality and commitment to excellence. When a drug and alcohol detox center boasts accreditations and certifications from well-known organizations like the Joint Commission, you can bet they will provide excellent care, maintain a safe, clean, and comfortable treatment facility, and have a staff that is comprised of experienced and knowledgeable addiction treatment experts. Typically, if a detox center is accredited, that information will be listed somewhere on the website. If it’s not, you may want to call and speak to a staff member to find out.

3. Comfort

It’s very important that you feel safe and comfortable at whatever facility you choose for your drug and alcohol detox. If possible, ask to tour the facility before enrolling or visit the center’s website to see pictures. You should also take the time to consider where you’d like to complete your detox. Although enrolling in a facility located in your hometown might be convenient, will you be able to focus on your recovery knowing that your drug using friends and dealers are right down the street? In many cases, people choose to travel to another city or state to complete a detox program. Don’t let location keep you from completing a drug detox program if you believe it provides the best opportunity for long-term sobriety.

4. Payment Options

If you have health insurance, you’ll want to make sure that the detox center accepts it. Many facilities 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.

5. Individualized Treatment Plans

Cookie-cutter detox programs are simply not as effective as individualized treatment plans. The Principles of Effective treatment clearly states that “an individual’s treatment and services plan must be assessed continually and modified as necessary to ensure that the plan meets the person’s changing needs.”²  A high-quality detox center will provide individualized drug and alcohol programs that are designed to meet your physical, emotional, and mental health needs. Detox programs should also be completely fluid, allowing for changes and modifications to continually be made as you progress through your program.

6. Evidence-Based Treatment Methods

Evidence-based treatments are treatment modalities or programs that are backed by scientific research and clinical studies. This evidence is then translated into specific interventions within the addiction treatment industry.^3,4 In layman’s terms, evidence-based treatment for addiction is a method or approach that is trusted by reputable organizations and is known to be effective in treating substance abuse disorders. If a detox facility uses the latest, most up-to-date treatment practices you can trust that they will provide a high-quality detox program for you.

7. Medically Assisted Detox Programs

Medically assisted detox centers offer the most intensive and closely-monitored care because they typically have staff onsite 24/7 to provide medical assistance. This is especially important for those who are undergoing detox that could be highly unpredictable and dangerous, such as detox for alcohol or benzodiazepines.

8. Continued Care Plans

Although detox is a very important step in addiction treatment, it is only the first step. Drug and alcohol detox should be followed up with a lengthy continuum of care plan that will guide you through the next phases of your addiction treatment. Any detox center you consider should provide expert recommendations and assistance continuing your care after your drug detox program is over.

If you’re interested in learning more about Hill Country Detox and our individualized detox programs, please call our admissions center today. We can provide additional information about our services, provide a detailed explanation of our payment options, and walk you through the admissions process if you decide to enroll. Call today to get started.

References:

1. https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/04/effective-addiction-treatment/
2. https://www.naabt.org/documents/principals_of_drug_treatment.pdf
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2951979/
4. http://adai.uw.edu/ebp/about.htm