This Is Nothing Less Than A Critical Decision

 

The selection of a treatment facility is one of the most important decisions a person will ever make for themselves, or on behalf of someone else.  Surprisingly, most people ask fewer questions prior to making this critical decision than they do when buying a home entertainment system, or ordering dinner.

Contrary to the many little "snap-shot" articles you find in newspapers, magazines and even on government web sites, there are far more than "ten questions you should ask about treatment."  As we said, this is a critical decision you're making, and even if your choices in a facility are limited, at least you should be able to prove to the provider that you know what you're talking about.  So read this tutorial in its entirety and you will know what you're talking about, because it's the most comprehensive, the most current and the most relevant you'll find anywhere.  (We're not bragging, but a fact is a fact and we're proud of that fact.)

 

"Treatment" Varies In Methodology, Philosophy, Quality & Effectiveness

We tend to toss the word "treatment" around like it's this static, finite noun that's always the same no matter where it's conducted or who's conducting it.  "He needs treatment."  "She just completed treatment."  "That kid needs more treatment."   "She tried treatment and it didn't work."  If we assume that all treatment is the same, then we'd have to assume that all people delivering the treatment are the same, and all the people seeking treatment are the same.  Obviously, that's just not true.

The fact of the matter is, treatment programs vary in philosophy, in approach, and quite frankly, in effectiveness.  And don't make the mistake of thinking that the more a program costs, the better it must be.  Some of the most expensive treatment programs in North America are an absolute joke, and are more concerned with profits than helping people become addiction-free.  Of course, that's just our opinion.

On the other end of the scale, there are many facilities that have to beg for their funding just to stay open, yet they are fantastic places and staffed by people that genuinely care about every person that walks through their doors.  Unfortunately, they are in a minority of treatment providers.  Like it or not, on one level or another, treatment is a business.  And for some facilities, that's all it is.

Pay Attention To The People

We believe that you should conduct your assessment of treatment facilities the same way you would for any other organization you're "hiring" to perform a service, and that means paying close attention to what their staff are like.  Everything from how they answer their phone, to how they conduct themselves during your discussions with them is an indication of what their people are like.  And this is important, because in our opinion, the quality of staff is 50% to 75% of the "healing equation" when it comes to treatment. Treatment is a learning exercise, and it's just like in school - you can have the most brilliant teacher in the world, but if they're "distant," unfriendly and incapable of communicating, what good is their brilliance?  Five years after you're finished treatment, it's just like five years after graduating high school.  As much as remembering what you learned, you'll remember who you learned it from.

And this is particularly important when you're talking about kids and young adolescents in treatment.  The most important factor for them is making a "connection" with at least one of the staff members of the facility.  Someone, in the eyes of the young person in treatment has to have the credibility to break through the attitude of "everybody is full of B.S. and the world sucks."  If that doesn't occur on some level, all the "treatment" in the world won't help long-term.

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