6 Ways To Find The Best Detox Center For Your Client

What makes a good detox facility?

When you are looking to place a client struggling with substance use disorder (SUD), you must take their unique needs into account. No two people need exactly the same treatment plan, and no single detox center is perfect for everyone.

Before finding a detox center for your client, there are a number of things to consider.

Need A Drug Detox Center? Here are 6 Things To Consider

Some elements of SUD treatment are mandatory, whereas others depend on your client's specific needs. Here are six factors to consider when looking for a drug detox center:

#1. Full Assessment Upon Intake

When your client enters a drug detox center, they should receive a comprehensive assessment of their mental, emotional, and physical health. Doctors and nurses should document the presence of any mental illnesses. They should question your client on all substances used, the potency, the frequency, the duration, and the severity of the addiction.

Multiple mental evaluations can help identify the patient's problems, including the Addiction Severity Index and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.

By performing a full evaluation, a detox center shows they understand the complex nature of SUD. It shows they have your client's best interests in mind. It also gives them a clear picture of what level of treatment your client needs.

#2. Specialization in Types of Substance Use Disorders

There are many forms of addiction, and general care is not sufficient for SUDs because they present in unique ways. Each SUD also induces different withdrawal symptoms. This necessitates a range of care options and specialization.

When finding a drug & alcohol detox facility for your patient, ensure potential facilities treat your patient's specific substances of choice. Treatment for the wrong addiction can actually cause harm in the long run. 

#3. Medical Detox vs Social Detox

Does your client need medical intervention for their SUD? If they want medication-assisted treatment to ease withdrawal symptoms, they need a medical detox center. In this setting, they will receive around-the-clock care from doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals who can administer medications to make withdrawal safer and more comfortable.

Social detox centers offer zero medication, but they still provide patients with 24-hour social and mental support during the withdrawal process.

Keep in mind that some people do not have a choice between detox models. Only people with mild SUDs should participate in social detox. People with moderate to severe SUD risk their lives by choosing a lower level of care with social detox.

They may need medical intervention for potential life or death situations like seizures or suicidal ideation.

#4. Family and Significant Other Involvement

Social support usually creates better outcomes in addiction treatment. If your client has support from their family or significant other, look for a detox center that allows them to be involved in the client's treatment program. Something as simple as visiting hours can help the client feel less alone. Example: If the client and their loved ones can even just eat lunch together, it'll create some semblance of normalcy.

This is crucial because a person can feel out of control during withdrawal.

While it is more common in rehab programs, some detox programs do offer family therapy. This could bring your client closer to their loved ones, mending some of the damage from addiction. Ultimately, it should be up to the client.

Determine how much family involvement they want and try to cater to their desires.

#5. Staffing Practices

Not all facilities meet high standards. One of the quickest ways to discover the quality of a facility is to look at its staffing practices. Each facility should include doctors, nurses, therapists, and at least one psychiatrist. Staff members should all hold up-to-date, regional licensure for their position. If the staff does not meet basic qualifications, they may not be equipped with the skills to effectively treat your client. 

Consider the ratio of staff to patients. You want a low ratio, such as one staff member to every three patients. This helps the detox process in two ways; first, it means staff will exhibit lower levels of stress. As a result, they will be more capable of performing top-level care. Second, a low ratio makes it more likely that the staff will meet your client's needs. Clients will not need to fight for attention. If there are changes in anyone's withdrawal symptoms, staff will notice much sooner. 

#6. Insurance Coverage and Payment Plans

If your client has health insurance, try to find an in-network detox center. This will provide the best coverage. It will mean the lowest copays and deductibles. Clients won't spend their whole treatment duration worrying about the financial impact of a ridiculously expensive hospital bill, meaning they can focus on the healing part of detox. 

If your client does not have health insurance, look for facilities that offer reasonable payment plans. Make sure they do not charge interest. Your client might only be able to pay a minimal amount, and the cost might bury them if the bill accrues interest every month.

DetoxNearMe.com Helps You Find the Right Detox Center for Your Client

Helping your client find the right detox center can be a challenge. There are many factors to consider; only six are offered here, but all are important for their best chance at long-term sobriety. You cannot dismiss any one factor in favor of another. All of them impact the client's long-term sobriety.

When your client is ready to start treatment, you need access to the best detox facilities. That’s why we created DetoxNearMe.com, the internet’s largest collection of detox center listings. Finding the right detox center for your clients’ needs, histories, and locations is as easy as logging on.

Help your clients start the road to recovery with DetoxNearMe.com today!