| Copyright 2005 | | | | stop or train station nearby? ? What are your |
| | | | working hours and days? ? Do your staff |
| At the beginning it is important to know that | | | | members speak my language? Are there |
| drug addiction can be conquered with rehab. | | | | bilingual staff members? If I?m deaf, do they |
| It takes hope, determination and treatment by | | | | know sign language? ? How will your programs |
| skilled specialists. It is a difficult task, | | | | help solve my addiction problem? ? Am I |
| akin to steadily climbing a hill with a heavy | | | | eligible for your programs? ? Are the |
| load, other physical hardships and constant | | | | applicable programs covered by any funding |
| fear. But the good news is that reaching the | | | | agencies (like insurance, Medicare or |
| top of the hill is a 100% certainty! | | | | Medicaid)? ? What will I have to pay for |
| | | | myself? ? Could you give me patient |
| Emergency Help | | | | references so that I can ask them about their |
| | | | experience with you? |
| First and foremost, if at this moment you are | | | | |
| in a state of crisis, call any of these | | | | Do not consider centers whose answers were |
| numbers NOW for immediate help and guidance: | | | | indifferent, rude, hazy, unsympathetic or |
| | | | poorly worded, and in this way arrive at a |
| ? The U.S. Department of Health and Human | | | | shortlist of centers. You will have to visit |
| Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health | | | | centers on the shortlist to further evaluate |
| Services Administration's Center for | | | | them, so keep the size of the shortlist |
| Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) (800) | | | | within practical limits. |
| 662-HELP | | | | |
| | | | When you visit a center to check it out, here |
| ? National Institute on Drug Abuse Hotline | | | | are the aspects you should consider (it is |
| (800) 662-4357 | | | | advisable to take a family member or close |
| | | | friend with you so that you will have more |
| ? Cocaine Anonymous (800) 347-8998 | | | | than your own opinion to consider when making |
| | | | your evaluation of the center): |
| ? National Help Line for substance abuse | | | | |
| (800) 262-2463 | | | | ? Do the staff members treat patients with |
| | | | respect and compassion? ? Do the staff |
| Finding a Rehab Center | | | | members respect differences in culture? ? Are |
| | | | the premises clean? Are the fittings in good |
| If you are not in a crisis situation, you | | | | repair? ? Are there necessary facilities for |
| should find a nearby quality rehab center by | | | | patients such as adequate medical |
| emailing or phoning the Commission on | | | | specialists, medical drugs and equipment? |
| Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities | | | | Here are questions to ask of staff members in |
| (?CARF?). Their email address is , their web | | | | the center you are visiting: ? What programs |
| address is carf.org; their telephone numbers | | | | are available here? ? Once I sign up, how |
| and postal addresses are: | | | | long does it take to start? ? Could I see a |
| | | | schedule of activities connected with my |
| CARF International 4891 E. Grant Road Tucson, | | | | program? ? How will the services be |
| AZ 85712 USA (520) 325-1044 or toll-free | | | | customized to my particular situation? ? What |
| (888) 281-6531 voice/TTY (520) 318-1129 fax | | | | type of residential accommodation do you |
| | | | have, if my program requires it? ? What part |
| CARF Canada 10665 Jasper Avenue, Suite 1400A | | | | will I play in configuring my program? ? How |
| Edmonton, AB T5J 3S9 Canada (780) 429-2538 | | | | can my family and dear ones be involved in |
| voice (780) 426-7274 fax | | | | the program? ? What facilities do you provide |
| | | | for patient complaints and corresponding |
| CARF-CCAC 1730 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Suite | | | | program correction? ? Do you provide |
| 209 Washington, DC 20036 USA (202) 587-5001 | | | | transportation if required? ? Is personal |
| or toll-free (866) 888-1122 voice (202) | | | | nurse or orderly care available in case I am |
| 587-5009 fax | | | | physically incapable of attending to basic |
| | | | needs? |
| In the unlikely event that CARF does not know | | | | |
| of nearby rehab centers, go back to the | | | | Finally, address the issue of quality by |
| emergency phone numbers and ask them for this | | | | asking these questions: |
| information. | | | | |
| | | | ? Could you show me examples of how your |
| Types of Rehab Programs | | | | programs have succeeded? ? Do you consult |
| | | | former patients when revising or expanding |
| Rehab programs are offered in many formats. | | | | your programs? ? How are you involved with |
| They can be inpatient (long or short stay), | | | | your community? ? What are the qualifications |
| outpatient or residential. The nature, | | | | of your staff members? ? Could I please see |
| severity and stage of the affliction usually | | | | your accreditations? Based on the answers, |
| determine which one is most suitable. | | | | the most suitable center will most likely be |
| | | | self-evident, and you would have made a |
| Rehab programs administered in licensed | | | | highly informed decision. |
| hospitals are always better than those | | | | |
| administered at home because in a hospital | | | | Conclusion |
| all treatment must meet rigorous standards. | | | | |
| | | | I hope and pray for your successful |
| Evaluating a RehabCenter | | | | rehabilitation and again assure you that |
| | | | although your situation may seem hopeless |
| The first step in evaluating a rehab center | | | | now, your feelings are typical; there is |
| is to telephone them and inquire about their | | | | hard data to prove you CAN resume a normal, |
| services. Here are some suggested questions: | | | | happy life, and that is just what you are |
| | | | going to do. |
| ? What are the programs you have available? ? | | | | |
| How long have you been operating? ? In which | | | | Good luck, and may triumph soon be yours ! |
| geographical area are you? Is there a bus | | | | |