Find Your Perfect Rehab

How to Choose a Rehab Center

Once you’ve made the decision to seek treatment for an alcohol or substance use disorder, you’ll need to choose a program that will meet your needs. Here are some key things to consider.

Before selecting a treatment program, seek help from a qualified and unbiased medical professional. This person should have experience referring people to addiction treatment and be able to help you identify your needs.

Look for a rehab center with a range of treatment options. Programs that offer only one or two treatment types may not be able to customize care to your specific needs. Programs that offer a variety of evidence-based, proven therapies may be better equipped to meet your changing needs as you continue in your recovery. Look for programs that offer mental health counseling and therapy, medication treatment, and tailored options for each patient.

If you are also experiencing mental health challenges, it’s also important to find a program that can provide treatment for those specific conditions. Your mental health can contribute to substance use disorders, and vice versa.  

Rehab Center Checklist

Here is a list of what to look for in a rehab center. 

• Care is overseen by independent medical practitioners, such as physicians or nurse practitioners, with specialized training and experience in treating substance use disorders. Experienced, full-time medical staff should be available to meet your recovery needs. 
• A range of effective treatments are available, not just one. These may include different professional therapy options as well as medication treatment. 
• The program has the availability and time for effective clinical treatment sessions.
• Treatment is available for other medical conditions you may have, such as other mental health conditions.
• The program provides continuing care and support after inpatient treatment is over.
• Patients are not automatically kicked out of the program if they resume substance use (a "relapse").
• The program is licensed or accredited. You can check program accreditations on our treatment locator. 

Ultimately, the question isn’t “What’s the best rehab?” but rather, “What’s the best treatment for me?” Work with a qualified clinician to use the guidance here to make the right treatment choice for you and start your recovery today.