If you're looking for drug or alcohol addiction help - you'll have already realised the myriad of options on offer. It's easy to end up paying too much for a treatment clinic that underdelivers.
Here's everything you need to know when buying rehab - including how to ask the right questions and weed out weaker options.
Step 1 - Get Clear On Your Needs
Having newly made the life changing decision to get help can feel rejuvenating....as well as more than a little vulnerable. But, choosing the wrong provider early on, might mean drawing the wrong conclusions about recovery, and what's possible for your future.
Detox-Only, Versus Full Rehabilitation Programme
Whilst most follow the conventional programme of detox, then rehab, then aftercare, it's possible to do only one of these. But is it right for you?
- Do you need detox, or rehab?
Opting for the full package will provide more support, but think about if it's necessary.
When Is Close To Home, Too Close To Home?
Understandably, when feeling low and needing detox, most will opt for a clinic close to where they live.
But the provider on your doorstep doesn't necessarily provide the best overall value, in the context of your entire recovery journey.
Detox beds can be found in hospitals, and virtually any clinic. But does their long term support match your needs in the longer term? Asking a few basics like these upfront can save a lot of headache later.
See all the locations Abbeycare serve, here.
Detox Requirements
Making sure you're getting the right support, can have a serious impact on long term results.
You'll want a clear idea here of what detox protocol you're getting, and what help is available during it.
Most clinics have standardised approaches for routine detoxes for alcohol etc, but anything more complex will need specialist input from suitably qualified professionals.
Likewise for therapeutic help, what specialist qualifications in addiction do the team have? Ask here about issues that have been sticking points for you in the past, and their suitability to help.
KEY QUESTIONS
- How long should detox take, for me?
- What professionals in the clinic are admininstering detox?
- My case is complex- what happens in the event of complications?
Step 2 - Get The Low Down On What Happens Inside The Clinic
What is day to day addiction treatment inside the clinic actually like?
Rehabilitation clinics operate a residential service - you stay residentially, in the clinic, 24hrs a day, usually with your own room and personal space.
Expect to complete a pre-admissions screening process over the phone - this is quite normal.
Keeping Track Of Getting Better
If your clinic provides strong personal attention in the programme, they should help you map out what you want from treatment, exactly.
If staff do not offer to help draw up a personalised care plan of action for your clinic time, and longer recovery journey, you've chosen the wrong provider.
Be sure to take an active part in this, to avoid having standardised goals laid out, that don't match your preferences or personal situation. It's worth making the effort here.
KEY QUESTIONS
- To what extent is my care and management planned and mapped out?
- How do you help clients measure goals and progress?
- What input do I have in planning my care?
- How is care planning done?
Life Inside The Clinic
What is it like being in a rehab clinic?
Short of actually admitting to treatment, we need to ask questions here that let us know what we should expect to see, hear, and feel, once admitted to a clinic.
Private clinics are normally group oriented. Consistency can be maintained by everyone sharing in the same day structure, usually in the form of an agenda. This agenda is a good guide to what happens each day and what you'll be involved in.
The time it takes to feel better at the initial stages of treatment is personal to each individual. Detox could last just a few days. Sometimes it will take longer than this to get a clear head again. This variation is natural.
Call the clinic's admissions team to arrange to look around the inside of the centre before completing any paperwork. This can give you a real feel for how the day to day looks and feels.
KEY QUESTIONS
- What see inside photos do you have, of the clinic, online?
- Do I take part in daily activities even during detox?
- Do you offer the opportunity to look around the clinic before admitting?
- How quickly after detoxing can I get started on the remainder of the programme elements?
How Does Covid-19 Affect Rehab Centres?
Rehab is almost always a group exercise, even at higher end clinics.
Those in long term recovery achieved it, only by accepting help from others, and helping them, in return.
But making headway in your recovery, at the expense of other health factors, won't help anyone.
Step 3 - Rehab On A Budget
Naturally, funding private rehab treatment in Adamsdown is a concern for many.
Public services are accountable to the tax payer, and seldom offer more specialist interventions.
Your mental health matters, and because of the costs involved, it's easy to opt for a very low end provider, with minimal support. Not always a great idea.
Instead, to keep costs reasonable but standards high, consider providers further afield, or smaller clinics with a lower headcount and rural location.
By calling and comparing a few treatment providers against each other, this step should give you a sense of what rehab will cost.
Other Avenues For Help
Community-Led Support Channels
Big Book, or 12 step meetings, are available via groups such as AA and NA, across most towns and cities.
For most at the start of the recovery journey though, detox options are a very real need, and not something that can be obtained without more specialist help.
Local mutual aid meetings *can* be a huge help, and can be a source of potential sponsors and sober mentors for the future. But initially, it's important to get professional help to detox safely, and comfortably.
NHS/Public Funding Options
Obtaining short-term detox from NHS services is unlikely, due to demand on resources.
Eligibility for short term detox is slim, and is usually restricted to only a handful of cases.
Aggregating funds together, between friends and family, can be a good approach to securing private treatment instead, where the individual can't finance it themselves.
Step 4 - Get Independent Reviews
Reviews of your chosen provider are easy to find on the net, but are they real?
Our heroes here are the industry watchdogs - The Care Commission, and The Care Inspectorate.
These two regulatory bodies inspect rehab clinics on a regular basis (usually annually) and produce written reports on their findings.
Clinics are reviewed on quality and expertise of their service, staff, and care levels provided.
Important - Regulator Inspections
When looking for CQC or Care Inspectorate reports, always look for those stating the visit was "Unannounced" instead of "Announced" - this means the provider was not aware the inspection was occurring, and hence is most likely to provide most insight into genuine standards of care.
Step 5 - Choose A Clinic
Now that you've read up, and compared a few clinics, it's time to arrange admission.
When you call the admissions team for the clinic you’ve chosen, expect to go through an initial telephone assessment, and pay a deposit towards treatment, as explained above.
A telephone assessment might last up to 30 minutes, after which the provider will likely request you to pay a deposit towards treatment, so that they can progress further with your admission.
It's a good time at this point to also sort out any payment by insurance policy, or other means.
Step 6 - Financing Treatment
As above, expect to pay a deposit prior to admission.
Because the total booking value is high, even a small percentage deposit could work out anywhere from £2,000 - £4,000 for the higher end providers.
A few offer payment plans to help spread the cost of rehab, although nowadays this is less common.
You should expect some kind of booking confirmation from the provider, usually by email, after any deposit or balance payment is made.
Balance To Pay
Treatment providers will expect payment for the remainder of the balance of treatment, upon arrival the clinic.
To avoid excess charges later, it's best to settle this on time.
Step 7 - Get Started
Now it's time for the practical stuff of admitting. Double check you have a note of your confirmed date and time your due to admit to the clinic.
Most clinics will expect you to pack these basics:
Your booking confirmation or documentation received should note guidance on extras such as internet usage, family visits, and precautions or special measures in place as a result of covid-19.
Do you have transport to the clinic organised? Making sure of this will help avoid any potential extra charges levied for late arrival.
And of course, enjoy your recovery!
Asking The Right Questions
You've reached the end of our ultimate guide on finding the right rehab!
Thanks for reading our free guide.
Abbeycare have central UK locations, and serve the Adamsdown area.
Since 2005, we've been helping thousands to overcome addiction, comfortably, and safely.
In our 15 years, we've worked with even the most complex detoxes, needs, and issues.
We can even arrange to assist with transport to the clinic (some extra charges do apply).
How did we do with inspections from regulators? Check our reports, available on our clinic pages, here: Abbeycare Scotland, and Abbeycare Gloucester.
Our admissions team are ready to help.
Detox is available, with comfort and safety, with the help of our medical team.
Our therapy team are available, to help you identify triggers, patterns, and start truly overcoming them.
Our clinic team are ready to help you make the progress you need.
Are you ready for recovery?
We'll help get things moving. Ring us direct, on 01603 513 091.
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