If you or someone you love has a problem with drugs or alcohol and you are thinking about rehab as an option, there are a few things you really need to ask. This can be a distressing time for people and when you are upset and under pressure the ability to ask the right questions sometimes just flies out the window. Often people are more concerned with getting a single room and when they have access to their phone than with the qualifications and experience of the staff.
Some treatment centres even have figureheads on their websites who are not part of the daily program and counsellors who you only see once or twice a week. You need to find out who the therapists, psychologists and AOD practitioners are and who delivers the daily program. Asking these questions is imperative if you can’t visit the centre and are considering the option of rehab abroad. Going to drug and alcohol treatment in Asia comes with some attractive advantages including no waiting lists, great clinical care at a fraction of the cost, lovely luxurious facilities and great weekend excursions. BUT ask
the right questions!
1) 24/7 medical, onsite nursing care and assessment
This first thing people should check is access to 24/7 medical care and whether there is an onsite nursing team. Make sure that there is a medical assessment performed by a doctor who is familiar with addictions and psychiatric medicine when you arrive and that a comprehensive psychosocial assessment done by one of the qualified counsellors. There should also be an assessment done before arrival by a trained professional, so that the team is prepared. Good treatment outcomes are all about preparation and planning.
2) Check qualifications and experience of staff
On this note, you should check the qualifications and experience of the clinical team and make sure they have a good understanding of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, in the treatment industry these are often referred to as co-existing disorders. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, it’s also important to find a program that can provide treatment for those specific conditions. Mental health challenges can trigger substance misuse or the symptoms of abuse can masquerade as depression anxiety or even bipolar. Experienced clinicians are needed to tell the difference.
3) Where the rehab centre and what is it like?
One of the first things people ask is not about medical care or the therapy but about the surroundings of the centre and what it is like. Parents and loved ones always want to know that the facility is in a quiet area far away from temptations and that there is nearby accommodation should they choose to come and visit. This is especially the case with drug and alcohol rehabs abroad. Additionally, the first question most people needing treatment ask about is either about detox medication or what the rooms are like and if the food is good!
4) What is a holistic program?
When rehabs talk about a ‘holistic program’ which just about all of them do, check what this means for them. In a good rehab this should mean a couple of things. On a one level it means a balanced timetable of different activities covering the psychological, physical, emotional, social and spiritual spheres of recovery guided by qualified practitioners. For example group therapy, yoga, gym, peer support, one on one counselling and fun excursions. Also be aware of hidden costs that may occur from the use of practitioners not included in the upfront price given by the centre.
5) Client centred and MORE THAN 12 Step
On the other level ‘holistic’ means that the therapeutic work covers the past present and future of the client’s story. Good drug and alcohol treatment is about a collaborative process between the providers and the clients and is not a one size fits all model. This means the providers need experience of many different models, not just 12 step facilitation.
So find out if the program provides a wide range a variety of evidence-based therapies which means therapies that have proven to be effective in scientific studies. These include things like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Person Centred Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Experienced clinicians blend the best elements of different approaches to suit you and your changing needs.
6) Support for family members
Often the initial call is made by parents, husbands or wives and they are so wrapped up in trying to help their family member they forget about themselves. Most good rehabilitation centres run a family program or work with loved ones so that they know what to expect when the person comes home after treatment. This might include work around relationship contracts and setting healthy boundaries or simply some education around what substance misuse and addiction.
7) What happens if things don’t go according to plan?
This might sound obvious but ask if the rehab has western standard policies and procedures for things like admission and discharge, emergencies, complaints and work health safety. You need to know that there are protocols in place for how the rehab deals with things. For example what happens if someone drinks or uses drugs while they are in treatment? What happens if they leave? What happens on discharge? Asking for a list of clients responsibilities is also a good thing to do.
8) Effective aftercare
Another important thing to ask is how aftercare is facilitated and does it work? Some rehabs have aftercare programs that sound amazing but do they facilitate ongoing recovery? What can they offer you and your loved ones in practical terms and will this work for you?
If you are looking for drug and alcohol treatment abroad, asking the right questions can help to make sure that you go to the right centre. It also ensures that you feel comfortable and understand the process that you are about to enter into. Ask the Sivana team anything at all, we are only too happy to help.