4 Ways to Know if You Can Really Trust Your Drug Rehab Recovery Program

Drugs and alcohol control the lives of an estimated 21 million Americans, according to the 2012 Natural Survey on Drug Use.

Of that 21 million, less than 2.5 million individuals receive treatment through drug recovery programs each year, leaving over 18 million individuals in an altered psychological, drug addicted state.

Very few individuals find their way back from drug and alcohol addiction without entering a formal rehab facility where they can benefit from monitored withdrawal in a professional medical environment.


Whether inpatient or outpatient, rehab facilities vary according to need. Some rehab recovery programs are gender or age-specific. Some focus on specific addictions, such as heroin or Fentanyl, while other drug recovery programs offer generalized services.

The different methods of operation help the patient feel more comfortable in a rehab setting specific to their needs. In these facilities, patients receive what is termed addiction treatment therapy.

Addiction treatment therapy is designed to condition or reprogram the brain so that a patient can recover from destructive thoughts and behavior patterns that have defined his or her life.

Someone asked the question 'can you really trust your drug rehab recovery program.' The program is not the focus...YOU are. If you're not resolved to beat the habit, no program can help you--no matter how good it is. 

So the new question is 'can you really trust yourself to get the intended benefits from your drug rehab recovery program?' Here are 4 ways to know if you can trust your program to be on top of their game.

1. Do they have Art and Music Therapy as part of their rehab regimen?

Art therapy is a common way for patients at rehabilitation centers to express feelings, communicate personal failures and allow one to get to know one's true self. If the patient can express his or her true self, then art therapy will have been a success. Activities involved in art therapy are sculpting, painting, dancing, drawing, acting, music and poetry. Learn more about art therapy.

Music therapy or "expressive" therapy is a medium by which patients can feel and be comfortable doing what they love and also fortify their natural talents and transfer that energy to other areas of their lives to aid in their recovery. Benefits of music therapy are:

• increased motivation to become more engaged in treatment 
• develop independence and decision-making skills 
• resolve conflicts, leading to stronger family and peer relationships 
• express oneself verbally and non-verbally 
• explore feeling and issues such as self-esteem 
• develop coping and relaxation skills

See full music therapy benefits list here.

2. Are there round-the-clock doctors and nurses on the clock at in-patient facilities?

• Some under-funded facilities have barely enough resources to keep the lights on. Their hallways resemble horror movie scenes where there isn't a person in sight...but you know there should be. 
• You are not obligated to any one facility. You have the right to an evaluation visit before joining a drug rehab recovery program to make sure they have all the trappings of a modern medical facility. Some withdrawal symptoms can be serious.

3. Was your first interaction with the staff pleasant, strained or rude?

• Understaffed recovery centers have overworked people. And overworked people are exhausted and easily agitated. If this is the case, you don't want to subject yourself to an impatient and unfocused environment.
• Mistakes are made where employees are understaffed, overworked and underappreciated. They are unable to focus, which is dangerous to a recovering addict. The last thing you need is to have access to drugs from which you're there to detox.
• The object is the keep the patient as calm and relaxed as possible. Daily interaction with rude and impatient staff is not a good mix.

4. Are outdoor activities included in the treatment process?

• Sunshine and fresh air are wonderful healing mechanisms that are built into nature. Being able to go outside is paramount to recovery. 
• Feelings of anxiety are natural withdrawal symptoms. Being confined to a dreary existence is similar to being imprisoned. One of the subconscious reasons people become addicts is to "escape". 

This should get you thinking in the right direction when considering a recovery program to help you kick your addiction. Remember, just because you have an addiction problem does not mean you don't deserve the best care when seeking treatment.

If these four items are built into the program, then it's worth considering. If any one of these four is missing, keep looking.

Researched and compiled by the blog author.
Copyright © 2015 by Peggy Hatchet James