Finding the help you need for you, a loved one or a client should not be the hard part. Freedom Institute is here to guide you.

Despite the rise of virtual treatment programs, many people still need in-patient residential care to start them on the road to recovery. Yet, it has become increasingly difficult to find the right program for a loved one, yourself, or if you are a mental health care professional, your client. In the past 10 years, the number of residential treatment programs (RTPs) has increased by approximately 300%, and more seem to open every month. Outside the state of New York, obtaining a residential treatment license has become relatively easy, particularly in California and Florida. As fast as facilities are opening, however, many are closing as well. Inexperienced new owners who don’t really know what they are doing are here and gone from one week to the next. 

Freedom Institute has nearly 50 years of experience supporting individuals, families and clients in identifying the treatment programs that will best support their unique needs for overcoming substance abuse issues and underlying mental health concerns. We provide this service through an initial comprehensive clinical assessment to best understand the clinical needs and wants of the person, and understand what will work for them. From there, our clinical staff consults as a team and often in conjunction with outside providers to identify the best treatment path. 

When searching for a residential facility to recommend for a particular person, it is critical to have an understanding of what the individual wants and needs to help them achieve and maintain sobriety and what sets apart the wheat from the chaff.  We gathered our clinical team to hear their thoughts on the salient criteria and questions to ask when seeking the right treatment options, whether inpatient or outpatient.  Here is what they said:

1. Ask about the treatment modalities the facility provides. Is it 12-Step based, evidence-based? Do they offer DBT, CBT, a combination of treatment modules?

2. Does the center offer family education or a family program? Do they offer family therapy and is that done with a separate family therapist?

3. Is the program in a location your family or loved ones could get to if they have an on-site program?

4. Do they have a detox program on site or do you need to be detoxed at a separate facility?

5. What are their aftercare options? Do they offer an alumni program?

6. How long has the program been in operation?

7. Where is the program geographically located? How do you get there and is it feasible to travel there independently or do they offer a transportation option?

8. Rural setting? City setting? This may dictate experiential activities which are important in a program.

9. What kind of licensing do they have? Are they licensed to treat what they say they treat?  Is their license in good standing in the state in which they are located?

10. Does their website provide adequate information regarding their services?  Are there staff bios that detail experience and credentials?

11. How many beds are in the facility and what is the average daily census?  What is the staff-to-client ratio? Do they have private rooms? Shared rooms?

12. Is the staff made up of licensed professionals, and are they in good standing with their issuing body?  (Again, this can be confirmed on the issuing state government website.)

13. Does the clinical staff have advanced degrees and specialty training in the clinical offerings that are advertised?

14. Do they have an Addiction Psychiatrist on staff, or at least in a consulting capacity? 

15. When and how often are clients seen by psychiatrists?

16. How much does the program cost and what does that include?  Are there additional costs for certain types of services? 

17. Is the facility In-network for insurance? (Be specific about the name of the policy.) Many websites advertise “Insurances Accepted”.  This does not mean that they are actually In-network.  Verify in or out-of-network coverage with the insurance provider and with the treatment program directly to understand the costs.

18. What is the typical length of stay? Are there step down programs / or different levels of care?

19. Is the facility gender-specific or does it provide gender-separate programming?

20. What is the average age range of clients?

21. Is there age-specific programming (e.g. Adolescents, Young Adults, Adults, Seniors)?

22. How often will a client have individual therapy?

23. What specific groups are offered and how often do they meet?  (Ask for a copy of a sample schedule.)

24. What is the average size of therapy groups?

25. When clients are not participating directly in individual or group sessions, what else are they doing with their time?  What sort of experiential therapies do they offer?

26. Does the program treat underlying trauma, and if so, how?  (It is good to get specific on this, as trauma is the “Pandora’s Box” of mental health treatment and requires special care and clinical expertise.)

27. How are co-occurring mood disorders treated? Can the facility handle other co-occurring disorders?

28. Do they have full-on programs for process addictions such as compulsive gambling, sexual addiction, food addiction and eating disorders? 

29. What is their policy on Medication Assisted Treatment?

30. Lastly, and perhaps the most important advice: Ask around. Do research. Ask trusted colleagues or friends who may have. Ask the facility’s admissions department if you can speak with an alumni and/or alumni family.  Often when you’re trying to get someone (or yourself) into treatment, there’s a sense of urgency.  It is important not to let this push you into a poor choice. Making the right choice for residential care can mean the difference between life and death.

If you need help, call Freedom Institute at 212-838-0044 or email us at info@freedominstitute.org