Choosing an Alcohol Rehab in Ohio

01 / 07

Match the Level of Care First

Outpatient, residential, and inpatient alcohol levels are matched to the need for more or less support at various stages of recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Outpatient treatment is a good choice for people who don't have complicated physical, mental, or social issues. These problems may be present with someone with AUD. However, they are not so severe that an outpatient program can adequately handle them.

Inpatient care is the most intensive level of care and requires 24-hour supervision. Residential programs provide a highly-structured environment for recovery but allow more flexibility than inpatient. Outpatient services typically include counseling sessions with a substance abuse counselor or medical doctor who specializes in treating addiction.

Outpatient care allows people to live at home while receiving treatment. It's a good choice when someone doesn't need intensive supervision or monitoring because their symptoms are mild or moderate.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) publishes standards on this topic. The ASAM Criteria cover six areas of assessment:

• Acute intoxication and/or withdrawal potential
• Biomedical conditions and complications
• Emotional, behavioral or cognitive conditions and complications
• Readiness to change
• Relapse, continued use, or continued problem potential
• Recovery environment

Find out if the provider can explain how he or she matches treatment level to the results of an assessment. The treatment should match what you need. In other words, your needs will drive the selection of which services you receive and where. If a provider suggests a level that doesn't fit with the ASAM Criteria, it may mean the provider is not familiar with ASAM standards.

02 / 07

Checking OhioMHAS Certification

Ohio certification of behavioral health services means that a program meets basic standards of quality as defined by state law and regulations. It does not necessarily mean that all of the services offered meet standards established for accreditation by national compliance organizations. Accreditation is a voluntary process which ensures that programs are meeting nationally accepted standards for quality care.

It's important to note that certified programs must maintain their status by demonstrating compliance with established standards and regulations on an ongoing basis.

County boards contract only with providers certified by OhioMHAS to deliver services in order to ensure the quality of care provided to county residents.

National accreditation sits beside Ohio certification as an additional source of quality assurance. You can search OhioMHAS's website to determine if a provider is certified. Additionally, some treatment providers hold national accreditations. However, they set standards for high-quality care and conduct regular onsite reviews to ensure compliance.

03 / 07

Markers of Evidence-Based Care

Evidence-based alcohol care usually includes four or more core components:

1. Health professionals with advanced degrees and specific training in treating alcohol use disorder
2. Treatment plans based on a thorough assessment of each person's needs
3. Individualized treatment plans that reflect the results of assessments
4. Evidence-based treatments
5. Continuing recovery support

When seeking alcohol addiction help, look for these signs of higher-quality care:

1. The provider has the right credentials to treat your condition.
2. The treatment program is evidence-based. That means it's based on scientific research and proven by large studies of thousands of people.
3. The provider assesses you for other conditions and needs that should be addressed during treatment.
4. The provider designs a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, preferences, goals, and resources.
5. The program provides evidence-based treatments in addition to counseling.
6. Treatment takes place in a safe environment, away from people or situations that may trigger drinking.

When choosing an addiction treatment program, look for one that offers the following:

• A thorough evaluation and assessment of your needs
• Personalized care based on your specific situation
• A variety of evidence-based therapies
• Continued recovery support after you complete your initial treatment

04 / 07

Questions Worth Asking Before You Enroll

Availability, medicines, and aftercare plans belong at the top of your list of questions. They are the three main areas to focus on when considering a program's ability to help you stop using. For each question, ask for specifics about how the facility will address them. Here are some examples:

Can I enroll in treatment today or tomorrow?

Will I get a thorough evaluation that looks at my overall health, including mental health and physical concerns?

What medicines are used and what can you tell me about their safety?

How long have you been using these medicines? What is your experience treating people like me?

How will you address the ongoing issues of relapse prevention?

What kind of support or recovery services will be available to me after I finish my initial treatment program?

Ask about the quality of care provided by the program. It's a good idea to ask whether the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF accreditation means that the facility has met certain quality standards set by experts in the field.

Before enrolling in an alcohol program, ask some of these key questions:

• How will my progress be monitored?
• Who will be overseeing my care? What are the staff qualifications?
• Are medications used to treat alcohol use disorder?
• Does it offer different levels of care (e.g., outpatient, inpatient)?
• Is this program accredited?
• What does the cost include?
• What is your policy on medication-assisted treatment?

05 / 07

Warning Signs of a Weak Program

Warning signs of a weak alcohol program include:

1. No licensing or certification
2. Poor staff training
3. A lack of accreditation
4. Promises of perfect health after treatment
5. Lack of FDA approved medication for addiction treatment
6. Refusal to treat with medication

A good alcohol rehab has the following qualities:

1. Staff who are licensed, certified, and trained in the latest evidence-based methods for treating substance use disorder (SUD)
2. An accredited program or facility
3. A treatment plan tailored to your unique needs based on a thorough assessment of your condition
4. The availability of FDA-approved medications for AUD treatment
5. Long-term care that includes ongoing counseling and recovery support

Treatment programs vary widely in price and quality. Quality treatment should include medication management, counseling, supportive therapy, and education about AUD. A quality program offers a combination of services matched to your needs. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may also be available. The use of FDA-approved medications can help you stop drinking or reduce the amount that you drink. These medications are not addictive, but they are only part of the overall care plan.

When choosing a provider, look for licensing and accreditation. This means the program has met certain quality standards set by the state and national organizations. Ask about what treatments they offer. If a treatment doesn't use evidence-based approaches, such as counseling or medication-assisted treatment, find another provider.

• Programs that rely on brokering and marketing are less likely to provide quality care.
• Programs that focus on providing care for specific problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, or anger issues may help in the short term. However, programs that focus solely on one type of mental health problem to the exclusion of all other disorders are less likely to be effective. If you have more than one problem, you need a treatment provider who will recognize and treat them all.
• Programs promising results based only on faith, religion, or spirituality should be avoided if they do not offer evidence-based behavioral counseling as well. If you want spiritual care, ask for it from clergy of your own faith or a chaplain at the facility.
• Programs that focus on treating one substance to the exclusion of all other substances are less likely to be effective. This includes programs claiming to treat alcohol and drug problems separately. The two often occur together, and in these cases, treatment should address both at once.

06 / 07

Marketing Claims About Rankings and Luxury

Marketing claims about rankings and luxury rooms and amenities are red flags. The quality of treatment is what matters, not the setting. The quality of care received at a facility with less than optimal facilities will be better than that provided by a high-end facility with low-quality care.

Some marketing claims regarding rankings, luxury, high-quality treatment, and celebrity endorsements should be met with skepticism. These claims do not mean a program is offering evidence-based care.

For example, "sober living" homes that are marketed as luxury residences or resorts may simply be sober houses with nicer rooms and amenities. They still only offer the basic services of sober living.

Some programs claim they have celebrity endorsement or testimonials about their effectiveness from celebrities. These claims should also be met with caution. A celebrity's positive experience with one program does not mean another program will provide the same quality of care. Similarly, rankings that appear on a provider's website do not necessarily reflect quality of treatment or outcomes.

Expensive alcohol programs are not automatically better, but neither are the cheapest. The quality of care is what matters most when deciding on a treatment program. When making this decision, be wary of marketing claims that make a particular program seem superior to others.

One-size-fits-all alcohol rehab promises deserve your skepticism, too. There is no cure for AUD. It's a chronic condition that can be managed with support over time. The most effective treatment plans are tailored to an individual's needs.

07 / 07

Checking Official Directories First

FindTreatment listings and Ohio board information are helpful for assessing the quality of treatment offered at each program. For example, you'll want to find out if an Ohio board provides any oversight, as this could be an indicator of good practice. Additionally, you can use these directories to see if a facility or provider is licensed by the State of Ohio.

Ohio CareLine can connect callers toward local resources if additional services are needed.