Choosing the Right Rehabilitation Center for a Loved One

| A Guest Post by Amber Speck |

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Selecting the right rehab center for a loved one can be a major challenge, no matter how old they are or where they are in life. Of course, you’ll want to work with your loved one to make sure you can find a center that works for their needs, and everything from the location to the cost should be taken into consideration. Because addiction can come in many forms and can occur with more than one substance, it’s crucial to make sure your loved one has all the support they require from their healthcare provider and/or a therapist while they receive treatment, and that they have access to tools that will help them stay sober.

It’s also important to talk about any mental health disorders your loved one may be living with. Anxiety, depression, and PTSD can all have an effect on addiction, and the similar symptoms among them can make them more difficult to diagnose separately. Keeping communication open with your loved one will help you figure out the best way to assist them.

Here are some of the best tips on how to help a loved one choose the right rehabilitation center.

Find out what health insurance covers

If your loved one is a senior who served in the military, keep in mind that about 7 percent of the veteran population suffers from an addiction, and many times those addictions are co-occurring with PTSD. Together, they can make it difficult to seek treatment, so it’s important to learn all you can about your loved one’s health insurance to find out whether certain treatment options will be covered. Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans can be a boon, with companies like Anthem covering dental, vision, preventative care, and prescriptions under their Advantage plans.  But some veterans may find it tricky to navigate coverage and whether they should use it or their veteran’s benefits. In most cases, they may only use one or the other, and only at specific care facilities. Read up on Medicare and what it might cover to help your loved one make an informed decision.

Learn more about the rehabilitation process

Making the decision to go to a rehab facility is never an easy one, and it can be stressful and scary for many individuals. Taking the guesswork out of the process will help quite a bit, so learn everything you can about the different types of facilities and what kind of care your loved one can choose from. There are many options, including inpatient, outpatient, and detox programs, and they come with different rules and treatment, so do a bit of homework and help your loved one understand what to expect.

Make location a factor

While there are many factors to consider when choosing a rehab center, one of the most important is the location. Some facilities don’t allow visitors, but others do, and if your loved one chooses an outpatient program, it will be important to find a center that’s relatively close to home. Do an extensive search online to find the best center to fit your loved one’s needs, and make sure they understand the rules before making a decision.

Consider post-care

Spending time in a rehabilitation facility is only the first step in getting help. Your loved one will need support and may require treatment even after the rehab visits are done, so it’s important for them to talk about a plan with a doctor or therapist. Sit down with your loved one and have a conversation about what their needs may be, and think about how to help them succeed. At the very least, they will need a stable place to stay, a schedule that keeps them focused and away from bad influences, and a healthy regimen that will allow their body and mind to heal.

Choosing the right care facility for a loved one who is living with addiction can take time. Try to be patient as you learn about the process and about the options available. This will help you make an informed decision with your loved one, so they can get the best care possible.

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Please be sure to check out Amber’s website @ WriteAboutRecovery.com to learn more about her and her amazing journey through recovery and sobriety. Be sure to read more posts from Amber on her blog!

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