How To Find A Drug Treatment Program

When calling or visiting a prospective drug treatment center, don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as necessary about its staff and services. A program that meets the following guidelines should inspire reasonable confidence in its caliber of care.

1. The program adheres to an abstinence-only policy. No nonmedical drug use is tolerated.
2. The program includes a comprehensive evaluation by an experienced physician to diagnose and treat any associated medical, emotional or behavioral problems.
3. The staff includes a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist with expertise in adolescent behavior and development and in treating chemical dependency.
4. The facility maintains a low ratio of patients to staff.
5. Support groups led by a professional facilitator and self-help groups are integral components of treatment.
6. If the center treats both minors and adults, the adolescent unit should be separate from the adult unit.
7. The program must include family therapy.
8. The program must include an aftercare phase, typically consisting of outpatient counseling or attending a peer-support group for up to one year or more.
9. Depending on the youngster’s needs, the program should include academic classes, vocational training, social-skills training, physical education and other services intended to aid his reentry into society.
10. The program’s administrators should be willing to discuss financial arrangements.