Selecting a
Florida
treatment
center for
alcoholism
and drug
abuse for
yourself or
someone you
care about
may be one
of the most
important
decisions
you will
make in your
lifetime.
Most of us
don't know
what to look
for in a
quality
program. Not
all
treatment
centers are
the
same-they
differ
greatly in
program
options,
staff
qualifications,
credentials,
cost, and
effectiveness.
You need to
ask
appropriate
questions
when you
call a drug
abuse
treatment
center for
information
and you
should
expect to
receive
clear
answers.
Before you
make any
decisions-ask
questions
and get the
facts!
Does the
treatment
center offer
a variety of
drug
addiction
programs?
Alcohol and
drug
addiction is
a disease
that
progresses
through
predictable
stages. It
takes a
trained
health
professional,
often a
doctor
specializing
in addiction
medicine, to
make an
accurate
diagnosis
and
prescribe
the most
appropriate
treatment.
Centers
should offer
a variety of
treatment
programs
that meet
individual
needs.
Programs may
include
inpatient,
residential,
outpatient,
and/or
short-stay
options.
The
difference
between
inpatient
and
residential
treatment is
that
inpatient
services are
provided by
a licensed
hospital,
while
residential
programs
usually do
not meet the
same
rigorous
standards of
medical
care.
The length
of stay
depends on
the severity
and stage of
the disease.
What does
treatment
cost?
"How much
does it
cost?" is
often one of
the first
questions
asked.
The price
tag for drug
abuse &
alcoholism
is presented
in many
different
formats. You
need to know
what is
included in
the price,
what will be
added on to
your bill as
a
fee-for-service
program, and
what
services
your health
insurance
will cover.
This makes
it extremely
difficult to
compare
prices by
simply
asking the
question -
"What does
it cost?"
If you are
seeking the
best value
for your
treatment
dollar,
remember:
Price can be
meaningful
only in the
context of
quality and
performance.
Is the
treatment
program
medically
based?
There is an
advantage to
including
on-site
medical care
in a drug
abuse
treatment
center.
Physicians
and nurses
provide
24-hour
hospital
services to
monitor and
ensure a
safe
withdrawal
from alcohol
and other
drugs. In
addition, a
medical
staff
specializing
in addiction
medicine can
oversee the
progress of
each
individual
and make
necessary
adjustments
to the
treatment
plan.
Medical
credentials
can also be
important.
For example,
chemical
dependency
treatment
centers that
earn a JCAHO
accreditation
(Joint
Commission
on
Accreditation
of
Healthcare
Organizations)
meet
national
standards
for
providing
quality
medical
care.
Appropriate
state
licensing is
also an
important
consideration.
Be sure to
ask which
medical
costs are
included in
the price of
treatment.
Question:
Does
Alcoholism
Treatment
Work?
Answer:
Alcoholism
treatment is
effective in
many cases.
Studies show
that a
minority of
alcoholics
remain sober
one year
after
treatment,
while others
have periods
of sobriety
alternating
with
relapses.
Still others
are unable
to stop
drinking for
any length
of time.
Treatment
outcomes for
alcoholism
compare
favorably
with
outcomes for
many other
chronic
medical
conditions.
The longer
one abstains
from
alcohol, the
more likely
one is to
remain
sober.
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