The Addictions Coach: How to Choose the Right Treatment Center for your Son or Daughter
Addiction is a terrible worldwide problem. It destroys all the good things that made a person human. But it is also a family epidemic. It causes the closest of families to drift apart. It effects the parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters. Having an addicted child is a very stressful and emotionally draining experience. When the time comes that parents can help their son/daughter, it’s understandable that you would want to be able to choose the right treatment center. How do you do that? Here are 5 questions to ask to choose the right treatment center for an addicted son/daughter.
- What is their program? When looking for a treatment center, you need to ask this most basic question. Do they have clinicians? Do they keep their clients busy throughout the day? Do they keep the families involved? Ask questions to determine if the treatment center you have in mind will be a good fit for your family.
- Is it long-term or short-term? This is important because if you want your son/daughter to be on the same page as you with their recovery, you need to know how long they can potentially be in treatment. Short-term in-patient treatment is typically 14-90 days. Long-term is 90+ days. While there are great short-term programs, the success of long-term recovery is greatly increased with long-term treatment.
- Is the treatment center co-ed? In early recovery, it is recommended that people should not enter a relationship for the first year of their sobriety. It is very common for someone in very early recovery to “latch on” to someone they are attracted to, and lose sight of what they are working towards. It is okay to send someone to a co-ed treatment center, but ask questions. It is recommended that the treatment centers keep male and female clients separate from each other.
- Should you send them to a center close to home, or far away? This is a tough question to ask. It’s natural that you would want them to be somewhere close, so that you may visit them and be helpful in any way possible to their recovery. It is purely situational. Typically, someone who has been to treatment more than once would do better and have higher success in recovery if they go to treatment out of their home area.
- What does their aftercare plan consist of? This is very important and can set the foundation to lifelong recovery. You want a treatment center that sets up a strong aftercare plan. They should set up the client with IOP, and possibly a halfway house, or sober living. They will give the clients resources in the area that they will be living in upon completion of the program, and they will ensure a smooth transition back into everyday living. This is the most important question to ask.
When deciding which treatment center to send you son/daughter to, you certainly will have your work cut out for you. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. After all, your child’s life is being put into their hands. A good treatment center will help with everything you need, and will always put their clients well-being first.
Contact the elite team at The Addictions Coach 1.800.706.0318
