| It is often difficult, given the acute | | | | the past, ask what alternatives they offer. |
| turmoil individuals and families find | | | | There are equally or more effective models; |
| themselves in when seeking help, to sort out | | | | |
| what makes for an effective program. Nearly | | | | 5. What is their success rate? Reputable |
| all will declare themselves to be uniquely | | | | programs will tell you that they don't know |
| suited for meeting the needs of whoever is | | | | for sure since all programs rely on |
| calling. It isn't true. | | | | self-reports that are notoriously inaccurate. |
| | | | Programs should also be willing to give you a |
| There are, however, reasonably objective | | | | straightforward statement of how they define |
| questions you can ask that will help you to | | | | success - which in many cases amounts to |
| increase your chances of selecting a program | | | | little more than "was not noticeably |
| that can help: | | | | intoxicated while here". |
| | | | |
| 1. What are the qualifications of staff? | | | | 6. If you are considering in-patient, what |
| While Ph.D. and Masters Degrees do not | | | | are the provisions for aftercare? Behavior |
| guarantee quality, they usually indicate | | | | change is a difficult process that can't be |
| higher standards. Conscientious counselors, | | | | accomplished in thirty days. The duration and |
| and programs, seek to acquire and increase | | | | quality of the follow-up will probably be |
| skills. A lack of degrees and other | | | | more important than the initial stay. |
| credentials is cause for concern; | | | | |
| | | | 7. If you decide that outpatient is more apt |
| 2. How many of the staff members refer to | | | | to meet your needs, and budget, how flexible |
| themselves "recovering"? Despite assertions | | | | is the program? Rigidity isn't inspiring. |
| to the contrary, research has found no | | | | |
| benefit to clients in having recovering | | | | 8. What types of clients does the program |
| individuals as counselors. Effectiveness come | | | | treat? Those who claim to treat a wide |
| from empathy: the ability to listen, care and | | | | variety of conditions and "addictions" |
| motivate; | | | | probably don't treat any of them very well, |
| | | | and neither problems, nor clients, are |
| 3. Are any members of the staff themselves | | | | equally amenable to treatment. Look for |
| former clients? This is a very big red flag. | | | | specialists, settings, and methods you feel |
| Former clients who are unable to remain sober | | | | comfortable with. |
| outside of their treatment setting are | | | | |
| unlikely to be of much use in helping you to | | | | 9. Will they refer you to other possibilities |
| do so. The facility's hiring also indicates a | | | | if you ask? Good programs know that they are |
| possible aversion to new ideas and models. | | | | not appropriate for everyone and will want to |
| Again, expansion of skills points towards a | | | | help you find a good match either |
| quality program, while constriction indicates | | | | philosophically, geographically, or |
| otherwise; | | | | financially. |
| | | | |
| 4. What are their programs based on? Most | | | | While reassuring answers to these questions |
| treatment providers rely on a 12 Step/AA base | | | | won't guarantee success, it will help to |
| known as the Minnesota Model where it | | | | prevent you from wasting time, money, and |
| originated over thirty years ago. If that | | | | effort. |
| doesn't appeal to you, or hasn't helped in | | | | |