A person suffering from an alcohol or drug addiction needs help
immediately. Without it, it is highly likely he will continue down a
never-ending path of self-destruction that could ultimately lead to death.
Unfortunately, drug and alcohol addiction are both extremely difficult to
overcome. Therefore, the only way most addicts are able to truly fight the
battle against drugs and alcohol is to receive addiction treatment through a
reputable drug rehab program. Furthermore, it is essential that the addict find
the rehab center that is best suited for him and his personality because if care
is not taken to find a program compatible with his needs, a relapse is highly
probable.

* The Specialty

Not all drug rehab centers specialize in every type of addiction recovery.
Therefore, the first step in selecting the right drug or alcohol rehab center is
to identify those that specialize in the drug the person is addicted to. For
example, an alcoholic will receive little help from a program specializing in
addiction treatment for those who abuse heroin. While the basics of addiction
recovery are the same regardless of the type of drug that is abused, there are
special considerations to be made with different drugs. The withdrawal symptoms
can vary from drug to drug. In addition, the exact approach used to help the
person recover from addiction can be different depending on the drug. Addicts
may find a higher level of comfort treating in an environment where other
addicts have shared the same drug experience.

* The Location

The location of an alcohol or drug rehab center can have an impact on its
success with the addict. For some, it is best to find a rehab center that is
located near to family and friends. In this way, it is possible for them to
maintain more consistent contact with the addict. For others, it is better to
find a rehab center that is further away from home because the memories and the
people there make it too difficult to refrain from abusing drugs or alcohol. The
proximity to home may cause triggers leading to early relapse.

* The Program

The first consideration a person must make when attempting to select the
right drug and alcohol rehab center is the treatment program. Most drug rehab
centers offer both inpatient and outpatient care programs, but careful
consideration must be exercised when making the decision for the level of care.
For some addicts, an inpatient care program may be the best option because they
do not have the strength or ability to fight the addiction without receiving
24-hour care. For other addicts, outpatient treatment may be sufficient for
overcoming the problem while still allowing the person to live a semi-normal
life. A preliminary assessment by a physician or qualified counselor/therapist
will help determine what level of care is most appropriate.

* The Approach

Nearly all alcohol and drug rehab centers provide physical and emotional care
to help addicts overcome their disease. The exact approaches used by various
rehab centers, however, can vary. For example, some centers place a greater
emphasis on the physical aspect of the addiction while others focus more on the
emotional impact. In addition, the way these rehab centers address both
components of treatment may vary.

In some rehab centers, patients are provided with another drug in order to
overcome the addiction. For some patients, however, there is a risk of becoming
addicted to the replacement drug. Therefore, this type of approach may not be
best for some addicts. Yet other rehab centers simply have patients go cold
turkey, but this approach can be devastating for some patients and can even
cause them to give up hope and want to quit.

In addition, the emotional approach used by rehab centers to assist with
addiction recovery can differ. For example, some drug rehab programs may utilize
less known approaches, such as music therapy and art therapy. Similarly, some
centers may focus on hypnosis or acupuncture. Yet other programs may utilize
only counseling and group therapy. For an addict, the approach used can make a
huge impact on the overall success because if the addict does not believe in the
type of therapy being utilized, they will likely be defeated before the recovery
program even begins.

There are other questions that should be asked when making a decision about
admission into an alcohol or drug rehab facility. Staff credentials,
medical supervision, cost, typical length of stay, aftercare programs, 12 step
philosophy, sobriety success rates, and family involvement are a few other
important considerations to think about when making perhaps one of the most
important decisions in the life of an addict.