Sept. 21, 2017
“Are all Rehabs the Same?”
Wellness in Treatment
If you think that all rehabs are the same, then you are mistaken. Some people know this from firsthand experience after being at more than a few treatment centers. However, if you are a first time client, or a loved one looking for the “right” place to go, looking for a rehab can be overwhelming.
So how can you figure out if a rehab is good for you just from the website or a phone call? You often can’t. A lot of rehabs employ third party call centers, and they have never actually been to the rehab you might be going to. They are given information and do the best they can in answering questions, but how can they really know what you need?
If at all possible, ask for a tour of the facility before a loved one attends. Be sure to speak with the staff, and if the directors don’t have time for you, it’s a tell-tale sign that they most likely will be hands-off with your loved one. Get a “feel” for the place. Ask if they are accredited with any organizations. Ask about the percentage of people on staff in recovery themselves.
If you are a client and want to know if you will be safe and receive the necessary treatment, it is best if you have a notepad with you when asking questions over the phone. Because the percentage of people are usually intoxicated at the time of calling is high (pun intended), the questions are usually about if the place takes their insurance and if they have an open bed. They forget to ask about other things that might be important after a few days of detox.
There are a few things to think about before going to rehab that might make you chose one over the other. Rehabs have different cell phone policies- some places allow them but most don’t. Some rehabs are the same when they provide 12-Step based assignments, as other’s will use different approaches. A few rehabs allow animals, but many don’t.
Rehabs often include holistic approaches, like acupuncture, yoga and equine therapy. It will depend about services offered which may make a difference to you.
Some rehabs concentrate on a strict nutritional and exercise focus, while others stay middle of the road. Each company has a view of what wellness in treatment means to them, and it is always nice to find a fit for you or your loved one.
Rehabs should have policies in place when it comes to financial obligations, rules, and should provide you with a schedule. Some rehabs are large, others “boutique” style 6 beds. Some focus heavily on the individual treatment plans of each client. Some places have large group sessions. Some rehabs concentrate on a specialty, like using neurofeedback for trauma.
Location is also a factor. If a rehab is in the mountains, they might include hiking. By the ocean, it will probably include beach activities.
Bottom line is that obtaining wellness mostly means that you will get out of what you put in. If you don’t do the work it doesn’t matter what rehab you are in, as long as it is safe and drug free.
At Changing Tides, some things to note is that we utilize the beach and the ocean for activities. We have a small, six bed detox and RTC, an intimate IOP, and a sister sober living house. We are 12-Step based but open to Refuge Recovery and other models. There is a completion certificate given after a client meets certain criteria. We assign a therapist who follows the client through all phases of care. We have a weekly “theme” which the groups adhere to. We have a relaxed positive environment within strong boundaries. We focus on treating the individual and we have a strong staff who care.
We are a rehab which is the same as some others in respect to protocols, but we differ with our high level of caring and individual treatment towards wellness.
rehabs
