Perhaps you have been struggling for years with your teenager’s addiction and simply haven’t been able to find the best rehab that is right for them. Or perhaps you recently discovered drugs in your teenager’s room and want to do some preliminary research on rehab for teens before speaking with your son or daughter. Regardless, considering drug or alcohol rehab for your teenager is a valuable step in their long-term recovery. Some questions you may ask include: “How can I find a teen rehab near me?” or “How to choose a rehab center for my teenager?”
These are valid concerns and questions to have, as no two rehab centers operate the same way and with the same standards. Some may focus on a specific gender or focus solely on one specific treatment, such as treatment for alcohol abuse. Some may accept certain insurance policies whereas others may not. Further, no two clients require the same treatment. As such, it is important to understand the needs of your teenager and to match them up with the offerings of a legitimate teen rehab treatment center. To determine this, the answers are not necessarily found in online rehab reviews about top rehab centers, as many reviewers may lack objectivity. Moreover, the online rehab locators designed to find nearby teen rehabs can be influenced by advertisers. In other words, the health and well-being of your teenager may not be their number one priority.
Given such a challenge, how do you find a reputable teen rehab near me? The answer is to do your own independent research and due diligence, asking rehab centers specific questions to learn which one is right for your teenager. The goal of this article is to provide you with the tools to make an informed decision.
What Does My Teen Need from a Rehab Center?
Before typing in “Teen Rehab Near Me” into Google and conducting research on rehab for teens, it is essential to first take a step back and understand what exactly your teen is struggling with and what type of help they need. Once you understand their needs and those of your family, you can better choose a teen rehab center which will fulfill these needs. Below are some questions that parents should consider regarding the possibility of rehab for their teen.
- Does your teen need a drug or alcohol detox?
- Is your teen willing to go voluntarily to inpatient rehab?
- What length of care are you and your teen comfortable with?
- Does your teen possibly have an underlying mental health issue that they are self-medicating with drugs and alcohol?
- Is your family open to 12-step rehabs, or strictly looking for non-12-step rehabs?
- Is it important for you to find a gender-specific program, so your teenager is only in treatment with other males or other females?
- What does your health insurance policy cover in terms of drug or alcohol rehab centers?
- How far is my teenager and family willing to travel for treatment?
By knowing the answers to these questions, you will have a better idea of the type of rehab facility you are looking for when conducting your due diligence. Also, take the time to speak with your family physician or friends with experience in these matters. Such insight will help you clarify your needs and the needs of your teenager. It may also be an opportunity to seek a teen rehab referral from your physician for a facility he or she may already be familiar with.
The Importance of Reputation When Choosing a Rehab for Teens
The question of accreditation and licensing is essential in finding a reputable rehab center for your teenager. Accreditation organizations, such as The Joint Commission for Behavioral Healthcare, help healthcare organizations “transform their programs by meeting rigorous performance standards.” Accreditation and licensing do not necessarily mean the rehab center is perfect, but it is a sign of quality, safe care. However, some states do not require accreditation, thus some quality rehabs may not have accreditation, yet still provide high quality care for their clients. It is important to research what the standards are for your state and ensure the rehab center you are considering has the recommended licensing or inquire about the gap in licensure.
For your reference, some of the accreditation organizations for drug and alcohol treatment include the following:
- Commission on Accreditation and Rehabilitation Facilities
- Council on Accreditation
- Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program
- Joint Commission for Behavioral Healthcare
- National Committee for Quality Assurance
In addition to accreditation and licensing of the teen rehab facility, it is also important to review the credentials, education, and work history of the staff that will be treating your son or daughter. Such educational experience may include getting their master’s degree or doctorate in Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy. Further, their credentials may include being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Or perhaps you want to ensure there are medical personnel on staff including board-certified psychiatrists (MD) or Registered Nurses (RN). By researching the professionals at various teen rehabs, you can get to know the people who will be working with your teen. Newport Academy, for example, has a section on their website titled “Meet the Team” in which parents can review the backgrounds and credentials of the clinicians. You want to ensure you feel comfortable with the people who will be caring for your teen, making sure they will be in good, safe hands while in the rehab for teens.
Questions About How to Choose a Rehab Center
Beyond accreditation, it is important to find out what is rehab like and how does rehab work at various treatment centers. This can give insight to compare different rehabs to figure out which one may suit your daughter or son best. The best place to start would be on the rehab centers’ websites. Often, they provide detailed information on the types of treatment offered, various therapy approaches, and locations. However, sometimes reviewing these websites may be overwhelming if you lack experience in drug and alcohol treatment and the various terminologies around it. At TeenRehab.org, we understand this concern of parents, and we are here to help. Thus, we have put together a list of ten questions to ask any teen rehab which you are considering for your son or daughter. The answers to these questions should give you valuable insight into what life is like at rehab and how rehab can help your teenager on a lifelong path to recover.
Ten Questions to Assist in Vetting a Teen Rehab Center
- Does your rehab offer treatment specific to teens as an independent population?
- Does a multidisciplinary team offer treatment services?
- What is the client-to-counselor ratio at your teen rehab?
- Do you use evidence-based practices at your teen rehab?
- Do you have gender-specific programs? Are males and females treated separately?
- Do you provide mental health services? Do you treat co-occurring disorders?
- Do you offer medical detox or other medication-assisted treatment therapies?
- How long is rehab within your program? Can the length of stay be tailored to clients’ needs?
- Do you offer family support? Is a family program part of the treatment plan?
- How long have you been providing treatment for addiction and alcoholism?
By asking these questions of a potential treatment center, you will get a good understanding of what happens at rehab. In addition to the above treatment related questions, you will also want to ask about health insurance coverage and overall cost expectations.
Teen Rehab & Long-Term Recovery
Ultimately, alcoholism and addiction are fatal diseases if left untreated. If caught early, however, these dangerous conditions can be treated successfully. When it comes to rehab, finding the right rehab in the right location for your teen could make the ultimate difference when it comes to your child’s long-term recovery.
Hopefully this article has assisted in answering your questions of “How can I find a teen rehab near me?” or “How to choose a rehab center for my teenager?” In summary, conducting research to discover what is rehab like at various facilities through due diligence and vetting combined with an understanding of what your teenager needs is key to finding a long-term positive outcome.
Photo courtesy of Newport Academy
