Questions to Ask Before Treatment

What are some questions to ask in choosing an alcohol treatment program?

We recommend asking the following questions when selecting an alcohol treatment program:

• Does the program accept your insurance? If not, will they work with you on a payment plan or find other means of support for you?
• Is the program run by state-accredited, licensed and/or trained professionals?
• Is the facility clean, organized and well-run?
• Does the program encompass the full range of needs of the individual (medical: including infectious diseases; psychological: including co-occurring mental illness; social; vocational; legal; etc.)?
• Does the treatment program also address sexual orientation and physical disabilities as well as provide age, gender and culturally appropriate treatment services?
• Is long-term aftercare support and/or guidance encouraged, provided and maintained?
• Is access provided to self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous.
• Is there ongoing assessment of an individual’s treatment plan to ensure it meets changing needs?
• Does the program employ strategies to engage and keep individuals in longer-term treatment, increasing the likelihood of success?
• Does the program offer counseling (individual or group) and other behavioral therapies to enhance the individual’s ability to function in the family/community?
• Does the program offer medication as part of the treatment regimen, if appropriate?
• Is there ongoing monitoring of possible relapse to help guide patients back to abstinence?
• Are services or referrals offered to family members to ensure they understand addiction and the recovery process to help them support the recovering individual?