Addiction rehab centers are intended to help people with their addiction. Unfortunately, there is good and bad in everything. “Bad” rehabs can range from an ineffective rehab with limited resources to a scam. Going to a “good” rehab is important to help you recover from your addiction and keeping yourself safe during your stay.
The warning signs of an unscrupulous rehab are:
- Vague Advertisements or Websites Legitimate, effective treatment centers will clearly advertise or publish details of their program by specifying which treatments they use, any awards they have received, the credentials their staff holds, etc. Brokers who simply try to get people’s contact information to sell to unscrupulous treatment centers often make vague advertisements and websites
- Promises of “Free” Travel and Housing Legitimate, effective treatment centers need money to keep the treatment center up and running; therefore, they will not pay for a client’s travel, provide free housing at sober homes, or offer any other “free” service. If you are speaking to anyone who offers such services, call the facility that they claim to work for to ensure that who are speaking to was really one of their employees and this is a legitimate offer.
- Daily Lab Tests A major scam that unscrupulous treatments are doing daily lab tests (e.g. drug tests) even after the detox period is over to bill the insurance and make a lot of money for tests that are not even necessary.
- Taking Limited History Treatments centers should be taking a long list of information during the intake process. Ineffective or unscrupulous treatment centers will only take basic information because they do not care.
- Lack of One-on-One Counseling and Provision of Credentials Unscrupulous treatment centers will not provide as many one-one-counseling sessions as legitimate one because one-one-sessions cost more than group sessions. One-on-one counseling is the most important; therefore, a treatment center that skimps on them is more concerned about their profits than treating their clients. A counselor should have their diplomas and license with a license number on their wall. If the counselors do not have these displayed and are not willing to provide proof of education and licensure, that is a red flag.
- Lack of Variety of Programs Modern treatment centers should have a variety of programs (e.g. activity therapy, acupuncture, art therapy, meditation/yoga, etc.). If your treatment center does not offer a variety of experiential therapies and the facilities do not make the clients feel at home, they are not effective and not up-to-date on modern treatment.
Finding and Paying for a “Good Treatment Center”
“Good” treatment centers are widely available. Obviously, the signs of a “good” treatment center are the opposite of the signs of a “bad” one. The best way to find a “good” treatment center is to speak to a licensed professional for referrals or to call a number from a rehab center website that is detailed and has awards listed (e.g. gold seal from the Joint Commission. Paying for a “good” treatment center is possible, regardless of your income. You can use your health insurance or inquire the treatment center or a legitimate local charity about treatment scholarships. You should not have to sacrifice effectiveness for price. If you or a loved one require addiction treatment, contact one today. Operators work directly for the center are standing by at 833-846-5669.