Finding Treatment for Drug or Alcohol Addiction
If you think you or someone you love needs to go to rehab, do some research and look for quality, evidence-based addiction programs in your area.
Making the decision to enter treatment for drug or alcohol addiction is an important first step on the road to recovery. Once you or your family member has decided it’s time to get help, deciding where to go—and getting there—is the next step.
- Learn about your treatment options. Do some research about the types of addiction treatment in your area. You can call addiction hotlines, research inpatient or outpatient rehabs near you and find out which facilities are in your plan’s insurance network. If you’re not sure what type of treatment is right for you, speak to a doctor or treatment professional.
- Have a discussion about starting treatment. If choosing a rehab facility for yourself, talk to a doctor about your options or call to speak with one of the admissions navigators at our treatment facility in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. If concerned about a loved one, talk with them about their alcohol and drug use and offer your support in helping them get the care they need.
- Coordinate travel to the facility. You may want to enlist the help of a trusted friend or family member to help ensure you get to rehab. Some rehab facilities will help plan your travel or coordinate safe transportation to and from the facility. If you’re worried about a loved one, offer to travel with your loved one to the treatment center.
Choosing a Rehab Facility
Here are a few key factors to keep in mind when comparing addiction treatment centers:
- Location — Some people want to remain close to home. For example, Texas residents may prefer a drug and alcohol rehab near Dallas or another city in the Lone Star State. For others, going out of state is a better option, and helps them start their recovery in a new environment.
- Accreditation and licensing — Quality treatment programs will advertise their licensing and accreditations they have from agencies like the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).2
- Staff credentials — Effective addiction treatment centers have experienced and credentialed employees from a wide range of disciplines, with extensive expertise in addiction and mental healthcare. At Greenhouse, we have an experienced and compassionate staff of medical professionals (doctors, nurses, health techs), mental health experts, addiction counselors, nutritionists, and other specialists.
- Recovery services and therapies — There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment, and the most effective treatment plans are personalized to address the individual needs of each patient and their treatment goals.3 It’s important to choose a facility that offers a comprehensive range of services to support recovery, from therapeutic modalities to aftercare services, as well as flexible access to that care.2 At Greenhouse, we provide medical detox, inpatient rehab, and outpatient addiction treatment, as well as telehealth and sober living, offering a full range of options to accommodate every patient.
- Accommodations and amenities — The facility you choose should provide an environment that supports physical and mental healing, especially if you are living there 24/7. When contacting a facility, ask about its recreational amenities and activities, as well as any specific accommodations you may require, like private rooms or smoking areas.4
Therapies Learn About Therapies Used in Addiction Rehab
Because addiction is a complex disease that affects many different areas of a person’s life, treatment programs typically incorporate a range of therapeutic interventions and services to address a patient’s medical, social, occupational, family, and legal needs.5
The evidence-based therapies used in addiction treatment are the result of research and scientific studies showing they can help reduce the negative effects of addiction on a person’s brain, behavior, and overall well-being.6,7
For example, studies show that medications for opioid use disorder can help curb cravings for opioids, ease, and, in some cases, eliminate opioid withdrawal symptoms, and protect against relapse.8
Research on behavioral therapy indicates that people who respond to stress by using substances can be taught alternative, healthier ways of managing stress and ultimately reduce substance use.5
Consider Specialized Programs for Addiction Treatment
Some rehab facilities offer specialized programs for addiction treatment, and tailor programming according to sex, race, culture, religion, profession, and other demographic subgroups.
For example, at Greenhouse Treatment Center in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we provide:
While it can be incredibly difficult and stressful, talking to a loved one about getting help can remind and reassure them that they are not alone. Here are some tips for starting the conversation:10,11
- Educate yourself about addiction and treatment options. Understanding what addiction is, its impact on your loved one and those who care for them, and how treatment may help can prepare you for the conversation.
- Write it down. Tough conversations can be emotionally charged for everyone involved. By writing down what you want to say beforehand, it can help keep what you want to say clear, concise, and to the point.
- Practice empathy. Many people struggling with addiction feel a great deal of negative emotions, including shame, remorse, and guilt. You can demonstrate empathy and show them that you are not judging them by using “I” statements, asking open-ended questions, and letting them know you’re in their corner. Avoid angry confrontations and threats like interventions shown on popular TV programs.
- Choose an appropriate time. When it’s time to talk to your loved one about getting into treatment, have the conversation when they aren’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol and when both of you have a level head.
- Offer your support. Helping a family member or friend with addiction requires emotional and logistical support — especially when talking to them about getting treatment. You can help your family member or friend by looking into different types of addiction treatment, ways to pay for rehab, and how to start the admissions process.
- Be sure to take care of yourself, too. Practice self-care and stress-reduction strategies to help yourself cope with your loved one’s addiction in healthy ways.
Even if you’ve noticed the signs and symptoms of drug or alcohol abuse in yourself or someone close to you, it can be difficult to know there’s a problem. Many of us think we have our drinking or drug use “under control” or that we can stop whenever we want.
Denial and rationalization often go hand in hand with substance use, and despite the fact that substance use disorder is a treatable condition, many people who need help don’t talk to their doctors about their alcohol and drug use or seek out treatment.12,13
In fact, according to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 41.1 million people age 12 and older needed substance use treatment in the previous year, but only 6.5% (2.7 million) received substance use treatment at a special facility.14 Among the 38.4 million people with SUD who did not receive treatment, the vast majority—97.5% (or 37.5 million people)—did not feel they needed treatment.14
However, addiction is a progressive disease that almost always gets worse without some form of treatment,6,15 and most people struggling with addiction require long-term or repeated care to fully stop using drugs or alcohol and sustain lasting recovery.8
Starting the admission process represents a pivotal stage in a person’s path to recovery.
When you begin the process, the facility’s treatment team will help you determine what level(s) of care you or your loved one will need. A large part of this decision will be based on an intake assessment of your health and addiction history including:4,9,17
- Your medical and mental health history.
- Your substance use and withdrawal history.
- Any previous experience in treatment.
- How much support you have and whether your home life is stable.
- Traumatic experiences.
- Occupational status, legal issues, or other psychosocial factors.
At Greenhouse Treatment Center, our admissions navigators are available around the clock to answer any questions and help you get started. Call to learn more about our programs and using insurance to pay for rehab.
You can also easily check whether our rehab facility in Grand Prairie, Texas, accepts your insurance by inputting a few details into this simple and secure .
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