Alcohol Treatment Centers

Locating Suitable Alcohol Rehab Centers

by Jonathan Huttner

Finding alcohol treatment centers is easy. Finding the one that's right for your individual needs is the hard part. There are many alcohol rehab centers and treatment centers available to those in need, each offering its own process and philosophy on addiction treatment.

Financial Assistance for Alcohol Treatment Centers

If you cannot afford to pay for enrollment in an alcohol treatment center or rehab, you will need to consider your options. You need to figure out what you can afford to pay for and how much the facility or organization may be able to help. Some alcohol treatment centers offer financial assistance with:

• Payment Plans - Many state and federally funded alcohol rehab centers allow people to pay for what they can afford based on their income and then arrange payment plans for the remaining cost.
• Medicare/Medicaid Programs - Some alcohol rehab centers arrange for Medicare or Medicaid to pay for what a person cannot afford.
• Access to Recovery - This is President Bush's substance abuse treatment initiative, which provides vouchers for those who cannot afford to enroll in alcohol treatment centers. Ask the alcohol treatment centers you are looking into if they participate in the Access to Recovery plan.
• County Funding - The Substance Abuse Division of your county's Mental Health Department may provide funding for certain alcohol treatment centers.

What to Look for in Alcohol Rehab Centers

Because not all alcohol treatment centers and rehabs are the same, it is important to locate one that will have the best chance of helping you recover. Some aspects to consider include:

• Location - Sometimes the alcohol treatment centers that are farther away from your home or comfort zone are the better choice. Choosing a farther location can help prevent relapse.
• Individualized Treatment Plans - In your search for alcohol treatment centers, you may find some that offer a standard course of treatment. Individualized treatment plans, however, cater to your individual needs and issues and will be more beneficial to you in the long run.
• State Licensing - The alcohol treatment center you choose to participate in should be licensed by the state.
• Alcohol Detoxification - The first step in any alcohol treatment center is detox. You must first rid your body of alcohol before you can begin to recover from an addiction to it. Make sure that the alcohol treatment centers you are considering all have an alcohol detox program available.
• Medical Base - Alcohol rehab centers should be medically based for your safety and comfort. A medically based rehab will be able to provide medical assistance to ease withdrawal symptoms as well as provide any needed medical attention from issues that may arise during withdrawal.
• Credentials - You should find out what kind of credentials the counselors and doctors of the alcohol treatment centers you are considering have.
• Type of Program - You'll need to consider the type of program the rehab offers, such as a 12-step based program or a different type of program, and decide what will offer you the best chance of recovery.
• Number of Residents - The average number of residents in group sessions is 10-12. If the alcohol treatment centers you contact have more than 10-12 residents in their group sessions, it is likely that the sessions will become unmanageable. This would not be conducive to a successful recovery.

Get Help Finding the Best Alcohol Treatment Center for You

I know this can all seem very overwhelming, but there is help. The nationally recognized addiction helpline has addiction specialists available 24 hours a day, seven days a week who can help you find suitable alcohol treatment centers. There is a lot to consider, but you're not alone. Call 1-800-820-5841 to speak to an addiction specialist.

Jonathan Huttner is one of the founders of Lakeview Health Systems, which has treated over 7,000 people from throughout the United States. Jonathan has been involved in the field of addiction and eating disorder treatment for the last 25 years.