Many Different Forms

Dual diagnosis comes in many different forms. Any combination of addiction (such as alcohol and/or drugs) and psychological or behavioral disorder (including anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, attention-deficit disorder and/or personality disorders, mood swings, trauma, insomnia, sexual compulsivity, and so on) can qualify an individual as having dual diagnosis.

High-Risk Patients

As you might assume, dual diagnosis patients are high-risk. In addition to coping with mental illness, the complications resulting from addiction may tip the scales, leading the patient to have suicidal tendencies, or to be prone to violent and self-destructive behavior.

Difficult to Treat

When a patient is admitted to a treatment facility – most often for substance abuse – and diagnosed with dual diagnosis, it’s often difficult to determine if the mental illness – depression, for example – is the result of the addiction or the cause of it. Depression is a symptom common to many conditions, so it requires a skilled practitioner to be able to ascertain the root cause of the mental illness and then to treat it.

Integrated Treatment Required

Recent studies have shown that the most effective treatment for dual diagnosis is treatment that is integrated and comprehensive. That is, both the addiction and the mental illness are treated simultaneously, not separately.
When treated in the same facility, or coordinated by a single facility, dual diagnosis drug rehab has a greater chance of success. By providing a comprehensive array of services in a central or single location, the patient’s progress can be more closely monitored and treatment adjusted as needs require.

Various treatment modalities and services are utilized in dual diagnosis drug rehab. These include – but are not limited to
- detoxification from the addictive substances, a combination of individual psychotherapy and group treatment, medication as required, education, an emphasis on healing the mind-body-spirit, helping patients understand and develop a commitment to the recovery process, 12-step work and group meetings, family therapy, and aftercare.

Unfortunately, not all drug rehab facilities are equipped to handle dual diagnosis patients. Not only must the facility have a psychiatric staff, but they also have to have an emphasis or specialize in treating dual diagnosis patients.
Treatment Takes Time

Another important point to understand is that there’s no quick fix for the dual diagnosis patient – either in the addiction or the mental illness. Improvement will not occur overnight, although it may begin to appear sooner in some patients than others. Improvement in mental illness may require months or years of ongoing treatment.

It’s also vital that treatment be tailored to the unique needs of the individual. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment for dual diagnosis patients, just as there is no single approach that works for any addiction.

Recovery from substance abuse and co-occurring disorder is possible. With appropriate treatment, measurable improvements do take place. Treating the whole person – and not just the addiction or psychological or behavioral disorder – is the only proven way to provide patients the opportunity to achieve lasting recovery.

An addiction is characterized by the person losing their ability to control the desire to use drugs or alcohol, and often results when the substance causes changes within the brain. Drug treatment programs can vary in style, length and costs, but all are designed to help the patient break the cycle of addiction. Because addiction brings emotional, psychological and physical elements, most addicts to drugs or alcohol will be unable to break the addiction on their own. Cravings can strike at almost any time, leading to relapse after relapse. Stress at home, with finances or in the workplace make recovery even more difficult.

Evidence-based programs may be the best choice, according to experts at NIDA, because their methods are based on scientific research toward recovery. Families should seek licensed professionals, especially those trained in dual-diagnosis (such as treatment for both mental illness and drug recovery).

Typically, a one-time addiction treatment is ineffective at breaking the addiction because drug and alcohol rehabilitation involves a series of relapses. A treatment program that involves several types of interventions, careful observation and lasts long-term is more effective. NIDA recommends a treatment program of no less than three months. Some addiction, such as opioids, may require lifelong participation to maintain abstinence.

Addiction is not a temporary problem, but a clinical disease requiring support from several angles. Aside from breaking the abuse cycle, treatment programs seek overall improvement in the person’s ability to function at home, with friends and family and at work. Relapse should not be viewed as failure, but instead sends the message that the patient needs additional treatments, or modified treatments, similar to recurring physical diseases. After-care programs are another element to inquire about, as treatment must continue on an ongoing basis for many recovering addicts.

Psychologically, drug treatments can use therapies that modify behavior, teach new ways to cope and help whole families approach the treatment together. Group therapy can also help promote recovery by creating peer support groups and accountability. When combined with prescribed medications, behavioral modification therapy can be very effective. Patients may want to seek treatment programs that can involve the whole family in group sessions.

Ultimately, the success of a drug treatment program, even when it combines multiple elements, may rest on the desire of the patient to recover and regain wellness. The best drug treatment programs recognize that addiction is a lifelong condition, and that recovery can also last a lifetime.

Treatment Doesn’t Need to Be Voluntary to Be Effective

Some people think, mistakenly, that treatment has to be voluntary in order for it to be effective. While it is true that if a person is highly motivated to overcome his or her addiction prior to entering rehab, treatment has a better chance of success, it’s not always true. How can that be? Let’s look at it for a minute.

Suppose your teenage son or daughter got a DUI or DWI, or was arrested for possession of marijuana or other controlled substances, and the judge ordered him or her complete an alcohol education program and/or drug rehab? Besides being a wake-up call that there’s something seriously wrong going on here, wouldn’t you, as parents, be secretly grateful that the decision to get treatment for your child was brought to the forefront? Of course, you could look at it another way and think that the judge was usurping your parental control, but that’s not the point. You still have a measure of control. You can look into private, non-profit drug or alcohol treatment programs and present those to the judge – in lieu of facilities or programs in their system.

What if the affected person is you or your spouse or partner? If you are the one with the mounting negative consequences of drinking or drug abuse, you most likely are in denial. You surely don’t have a problem. At least, that’s what you tell yourself. Denial, in fact, is the biggest reason why people don’t seek treatment when casual use of alcohol and/or drugs turns into abuse and then dependence. By the time they’re hooked, they’ve completely shielded themselves from the responsibility of their actions. As such, they a) don’t think they have a problem and, b) don’t see any need to get help for their non-existent (in their minds) problem. And, in this example, you are big-time into denial. Court-ordered drug rehab may be just what you need to take action to overcome your dependence.

But if you – or your loved one – doesn’t want or think they need to go into treatment, how can it be effective? While there’s certainly no guarantee that treatment will be successful, that the individual will once and for all give up drinking or drugs, it’s at least a good possibility. That’s true whether or not the person goes voluntarily. It’s what happens during treatment, and how the individual reacts to what he or she learns about addiction, changing behavior, coping with urges and cravings, and practicing skills that make a difference.

Does every person who’s ordered by the court to a drug rehab program come out clean and sober? While it would be great if this were the case, sometimes court-ordered drug rehab doesn’t “take.” This could occur for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the individual never committed to the program to begin with. It could be that the program wasn’t appropriate for the type of addiction the person has, or it didn’t last long enough, or it was perceived as a hardship, or many other reasons.
So, while court-ordered drug rehab isn’t a panacea for a problem with substance abuse or dependence, it may be the impetus a person needs to get started on the road to recovery.

Drug Rehab With or Without Jail Time

Going back to the example of a Hollywood celebrity or Washington politician who appears in court and is ordered by the judge to go to drug rehab, sometimes the ruling includes some period of time in jail as well. In the recent case of Lindsay Lohan, the presiding judge ordered 90 days in jail and 90 days of drug rehab. Similar rulings have come down for many others celebrities over the years.

Granted, some of these high-profile cases result in judges perhaps making an example of the celebrity and handing out stiffer sentences (which often are reduced due to overcrowded jails, reduced time for “good behavior,” or other reasons). That’s probably due to the public backlash over special treatment celebrities had received in the past, whereas the average citizen may have gotten a harsher sentence for the same crime or misdemeanor (DUI/DWI, possession, etc.).

Sometimes drug rehab is ordered and there’s no jail time required. This isn’t a treatise on the rightness or wrongness of sentencing, however. It’s just a fact. Different judges will look at situations differently and, depending on the defense attorney’s ability to plea-bargain or work with the prosecutor, much different rulings can occur for similar cases.

It could be argued that doing jail time would serve as a deterrent to using drugs or alcohol in the future, especially when coupled with court-ordered rehab. It could also be argued that an otherwise upstanding citizen who made a mistake could be traumatized by being incarcerated with hardened criminals, or even come out with more of a penchant for breaking the law by virtue of such association.

Perhaps this is all the more reason for those faced with appearing before the court for an offense related to drug or alcohol use to find out about effective treatment programs before sentencing so they can be presented to the judge as an alternative.

Advantages of a Private Drug or Alcohol Treatment Facility

Not all treatment facilities for drug or alcohol abuse or dependence are equal. The old saying, “You get what you pay for” is certainly true here. Chances are that a person who’s ordered to attend drug rehab and doesn’t have the means to pay will be sent to a facility within the system that may or may not be appropriate for the individual’s particular type of problem. The person may have to wait in jail until a bed is available at one of only a few facilities the system uses. So, while it may be true that if you can’t afford treatment, court-ordered treatment may pick up the tab, at what cost will this be to the individual in terms of expected outcome?

Your chances of an effective drug or alcohol treatment program increase when you attend a program in a private facility. If you have the funds available, this is definitely the way to go. Again, by researching the best facility for your particular problem and presenting it to the judge shows a willingness to work with the court. It will likely result in the judge approving the facility and, although you’ll be forced to pick up the cost of treatment, it’s a much better solution than going to a drug rehab program that may not be appropriate for you.

What to Look For in a Drug Rehab Facility

Let’s say that you’ve decided to be proactive and search for a drug rehab facility on your own before you appear in court with your lawyer. What should you look for? There are actually several considerations that are important:

• Cost – The cheapest facility isn’t the best one. This doesn’t mean that you can’t overcome your drug abuse or dependence by going to the least expensive facility, but the likelihood of the lower-rung (cost-wise) facilities offering multiple modalities, adequate staffing, and additional skills training, vocational assistance, recreational and leisure activities and other services decreases.

When you’re considering the cost of one treatment facility over another, also take into account the facility’s willingness to work with you on a payment program that you can afford. This may be a sliding-scale or ability-to-pay plan or the facility may offer various healthcare financing options that you can take advantage of.

Long-term treatment (beyond 90 days) programs cost more than 30- or 60-day ones. Although the court may order lesser time, you may be better served by looking into a long-term treatment program.

• Treatment Modalities – What types of treatment modalities are offered at the facility? Are there a range of different modalities that are available which may be appropriate?

The most effective treatment facilities use a variety of different behavioral and pharmacological approaches, including detoxification, counseling (individual and group), behavioral modification, medication, support groups, family therapy, and other services.

• Addiction Philosophy – Check into the treatment facility’s philosophy on addiction. Many treatment facilities operate according to a philosophy, based on medical research, that addiction is a progressive disease. Treatment should be tailored to the specific needs of the individual and there should be linkages with all segments of society important to the rehabilitation of the individual. Effective intervention and treatment can help break the cycle of addiction. Long-term support and follow-up are usually required or recommended.

There are also programs with a treatment philosophy geared toward specific audiences, such as women with children, pregnant women, and adolescents that have a less confrontational approach and have been modified from abstinence-based programs.
Some treatment facilities utilize a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach that emphasizes the harmony of mind-body-spirit in healing. Many rely on, or make strong use of, the 12-step philosophy originated by Alcoholics Anonymous and subsequently adopted by most other 12-step groups (Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous, etc.).
Find out what the treatment facility literature and website have to say about their treatment philosophy. This will go a long way toward reassuring you that one facility is more appropriate for you than another.

• Length of Time – What is the length of the treatment program at the facility you’re considering? Short-term treatment programs are 30- to 60-days in length, while long-term programs are 90-days or longer.
If you have multiple addictions or co-occurring substance abuse and a mental health disorder, a longer-term treatment program may be more beneficial.

• Aftercare – Once you leave treatment, this shouldn’t be the end of your involvement with care. See what type of aftercare program or services is available to you, either as part of the overall treatment program or as an extra-cost service.
Aftercare services may include continuing counseling on an individual and/or group basis, help to learn how to stay sober even in the midst of life’s stresses and challenges, and how to transition to effective and long-lasting sobriety, among other services.

• Follow-Up – Inquire what type, if any, follow-up is conducted once you complete treatment. Follow-up options may include community- or family-based recovery support systems.

Follow-up after completion of drug rehab is important – to you, since the treatment facility staff will be in touch with you to ensure your long-term sobriety, and to the treatment facility – in terms of their overall success rate.

• Verifiable Success Rate – Speaking of overall success rate, this is something that should greatly concern you. When you’re searching for a drug or alcohol rehab program to present to the judge, you want to be sure you’re looking at a program from a treatment facility that has a proven track record of effective rehab.

Location May Be Less a Factor

You may find it unusual that location isn’t one of the primary considerations for choosing a drug rehab facility. Why? The simple fact is that, while there may be many drug treatment facilities close to where you live, the one that is the most appropriate for you may be in a different part of the state, a totally different state, or even in another part of the country.

Of course, you need to check with your attorney to make sure that a treatment facility that’s outside the jurisdiction of the court fits with the court-ordered mandate. That being the case, your primary consideration relative to location should be how well the treatment facility meets your particular needs. What you want is a treatment facility that gives you the best chance for a successful rehabilitation – wherever that treatment facility may be located.

Other Considerations for Effective Recovery

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and other organizations, including the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), patients with stable family and work lives succeed far more often than those with fragmented or dysfunctional home and work situations.

There are other important factors which influence a person’s recovery. These include the opportunity for the person to develop life skills, create life structures, and access to constructive communities to support the individual following treatment.
Successful therapy demonstrates the need for programs which help to strengthen the patient’s families, communities, education, housing, and job training.

Look at Court-Ordered Drug Rehab as an Opportunity

You have two options: look at court-ordered drug rehab as an opportunity for you to get your life back, or rail against it and not learn anything from your experience. Sure, being mandated to do something isn’t what most of us want. But if you’re in the position of having to appear before the judge and your attorney tells you that drug rehab is likely to be forced on you, take the initiative and get the most out of this situation as you can.

Look at it this way. When your actions result in consequences, the measure of who you are as an individual is how squarely you face up to them, make the necessary adjustments, learn from your mistakes, and move forward. Maybe, in the end, going into rehab will turn out to be your best – or only way – to kick the habit.

As a person develops a drug addiction, their body becomes conditioned to need the drug. The brain and body essentially adapts to the foreign substance, and then becomes dependent on it. The drug addict not only does not feel “normal” without the drug, they feel desperate and experience cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and severe stress.

Drug addiction is far more than a bad habit. It helps to picture the physiological changes that occur after significant drug use over time as basic to the person’s nature. Once those changes have occurred, they are utterly dependent on getting enough of the drug to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.

Some drugs cause such dramatic changes in the brain, that it can take a year or more for the brain to begin producing sufficiently on its own such neurotransmitters as dopamine and endorphins. The drug basically took control over the production of those brain chemicals that allow a person to feel good. When the drug is removed, the brain has to relearn how it’s basic operating procedures. For this reason, many people who go to drug rehab are shocked to find that when they return home have a 30-day treatment program that they are depressed, sometimes severely, and just can’t feel “good.”

The fact that the brain has to essentially repair itself so that the person can again get normal feedback – feel joy when something great happens, content when they have a nice time with friends – without the drug. This is why it is critical in drug rehab to give the addicted person tools and strategies to continue moving through recovery regardless of these “feelings.” The drug will not solve the problem, just prolong it.

After drug rehab the addict needs to think of recovery from addiction as he or she would recovery from major surgery. You do not get a knee replacement and start jogging the next day. You do not have heart surgery and start taking the stairs at work the next week. Recovery takes time. A top drug rehab will make sure clients are informed about the process of recovery. The drug rehab will help develop an after-care plan that gives the recovering addict support and resources to keep sober regardless while the brain repairs itself.

Drug rehab is not a magic solution. Drug rehab is the first step in a life of recovery. The goal is to give you a dedicated period of time to detox, understand your addiction, and learn the tools and strategies that will help you through the struggles of the early months in recovery.
 

Obviously just as there are different types of people, there are different types of drug rehabs. They run the gamut from outpatient methadone clinics to state-supported facilities to high-end luxury rehabs by the sea.  When choosing a drug rehab, you will likely choose a place where you feel comfortable, so a long conversation with the admissions people or with previous alumni of a drug rehab will give you a sense as to whether or not it’s the right fit for you.

The largest group of drug rehabs are larger facilities that tend toward middle-class and some upper-middle-class clients. The facilities will be clean and safe, but not luxurious. You will likely have to share a room with one or more people. Sharing a room is pretty typical for rehab, but frankly you will not be spending much time in your room. You will sleep, shower, and change there. Most of the time you will be with groups, in individual therapy, or participating in yoga, equine therapy, or any other adjunct therapies offered by the rehab.

There are a growing number of luxury drug rehabs. These are often located in high-end communities such as Malibu, California. Some of these facilities become known for treating celebrities, but most of the clients will not be famous. They will be successful business people and leaders in their professions. These facilities often have private rooms or suites.

It’s important to remember that addiction is not a disease limited to one type of person or class of people. It affects rich and poor, college grads and trades people, young and old. If you think you will not relate to the people in rehab, you are likely very wrong. The thing you will all have in common, even if you are from different worlds, is addiction. Research has shown that peer-based recovery is the most successful, hence the long-term survival of 12 step programs such as AA. It’s still around 75 years later because it works.

If you are still unsure about the environment and people you will encounter at a drug rehab, ask to tour. You will usually get a feel for the place within a few minutes and in most cases, you will see it isn’t that scary place of myth.

The cast for season 2 includes former NBA player Dennis Rodman; famed Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss; adult film stars Jennifer Ketcham (aka Penny Flame), Kari Ann Peniche, and Kendra Jade; former Crazy Town member Seth "Shifty" Binzer; and actor Tom Sizemore.

In the preview, the residents arrive for the first day of sober living and meet the house manager, Jennifer Gimenez, who finds a speed pipe in Tom’s bag and must drug-test him. Dennis challenges Jennifer’s authority and refuses to sign the rules of the house, and an argumentative Kari Ann is allowed to stay after testing positive for methamphetamine. Dr. Drew arrives and explains to the residents what they can expect over the next 21 days of sober living.

Dr. Drew is the host of the nationally syndicated radio show “Loveline.” He is also board certified in addiction medicine, runs a private practice, and is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Keck USC School of Medicine.

“Sober House 2” premieres Thursday, March 11th at 10/9 c on VH1.

Reputation is Key

How do clients find out about the best luxury drug rehab treatment centers? It’s no secret that most do so by the reputation of the facilities themselves. There’s also word of mouth among private therapists and counselors, as well as media coverage of celebrity clients, even past attendance by the individual returning following a relapse. To use a phrase that seems to fit, there’s the best, and then there’s the rest. To the individual accustomed to only the best in life – furs, jewels, designer clothes, yachts, Lamborghinis, and multiple residences – the only drug treatment facility they would even consider is one that meets all their expectations. In other words, they want one that has the finest reputation – and track record.

That commitment to meeting client expectations is one of the attractions of the luxury drug treatment facility. Why? Because what really happens in those facilities is hard work. The staff and professionals at these facilities know that and recognize that anything they can do to ease clients’ minds and make them feel more comfortable while they’re in treatment is a step in the right direction. In essence, it’s one thing less for the clients to worry about.

What Does a Luxury Drug Treatment Facility Look Like?

Think, for a moment, of the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Where do they live? What types of creature comforts surround them at home and when they travel? Everything they do, everywhere they go, even the people they interact with, exude a certain level of exclusivity, class, and, yes, money. If you are in this league, you want what you’re accustomed to – all the time. That includes your stay in a luxury drug treatment facility.

Some luxury drug rehab facilities have been described as high-priced executive retreats, secluded private estates, or castles by the sea. Far from the medical institution-type look and feel, luxury drug treatment facilities and centers more resemble five-star hotels. It all begins with the first glimpse of the facility. Every attention to detail is evident in the exterior design, landscaping, and the immediate feeling of quietness, privacy and peacefulness. This first-class ambiance and décor continues inside.

Once the client steps through the door into the luxury drug treatment facility, the intent is to provide a safe, comfortable and relaxing environment in which to heal, to strengthen the inner self and learn to live a drug-free, sober life.

Typical Amenities Offered in Luxury Drug Treatment

While the following list is by no means all-inclusive, it does serve as a reference point for some of the typical amenities offered clients during luxury drug treatment. Some facilities have more of them available than others due to proximity to specific areas (ocean, mountains, wilderness), while others may be known for specific ultra-luxurious touches. In any case, the overarching reason for providing client with the highest quality features and amenities is to ensure that the individual concentrates on the necessary work to overcome the addiction that brought him there in the first place. Less stress over living conditions means greater peace of mind.

You might ask if these luxury amenities are included in the cost of the luxury drug treatment. The answer is: that depends on the facility, the type of addiction, length of treatment, type and quality of amenities, whether some are considered part of the treatment or add-on services. Generally speaking, however, the finest quality materials and furnishings are included in the luxury drug treatment facilities. Check with the specific facility you have in mind to find out what they include in their list of services and amenities.

• Secluded locations

• Intimate attention from leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation experts

• Guaranteed privacy

• Life coaching/recovery coaching

• In-depth psychological assessment

• Comprehensive plan to get the client back to a productive life

• Apartment suites with private entrances, some with ocean view (depending on facility)

• Secluded decks, private patios and sitting areas

• Private recovery suites (available)

• World-class, resort-style amenities (luxurious thread-count sheets, linens, scented soaps, toiletries, designer-style furniture and lighting)

• Flat-panel plasma TVs

• Fireplaces

• Full kitchens

• Full-time chef providing gourmet meals

• Full-time maid service

• High-speed Internet

• Personal trainer and gym

• Weekly massage

• Yoga and Pilates (may be optional)

• Garden, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, tennis courts

• Recreational activities such as rock climbing, hiking and more

• Weekly ocean excursions on private yachts (some locations)

• Beach access, close to the beach (some locations)

• Close to exclusive shops, boutiques and galleries (some locations)

• Weekend outings

Cutting-Edge Care

The best luxury drug treatment facilities provide much more than just style. What’s really important is the type of treatment, the caliber of the professionals involved, and the intimate, one-on-one attention that clients receive. Without leading rehabilitation experts and supreme attention to personalized care, all the fine amenities in the world won’t make a difference.

Each luxury drug treatment center has its own philosophy and uses multi-disciplinary treatment modalities. Some of these may include the following:

• Medically-monitored detoxification services (if necessary, to purge the body of alcohol and substances)

• Psychiatry

• Counseling

• Individual psychotherapy

• Family therapy

• Psychoeducational groups

• Group therapy

• Relapse prevention

• Stress management strategies

• Psychodrama

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT)

• Somatic therapy

• Experiential therapy

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Yoga/meditation

• Acupuncture

• Fitness and nutritional counseling

• Equine-assisted therapy

• Art therapy

• Spiritual development

Treatment for drug, alcohol and other addictions should focus on treating, not just the symptoms, but the whole person and the total condition.

How Long Will it Take?

Each person’s addiction is different. Your own tolerance, habit, type of addiction, length of addiction, whether or not you have multiple addictions (drugs, alcohol, gambling, sexual, etc.) or co-occurring addictions (drug and/or alcohol and mental health disorder), family history, general physical and emotional health and a number of other factors all come into play. During the initial assessment and screening, all these will be taken into account so that the professionals can develop a customized treatment plan based on your wants and needs. As such, your timetable will be completely independent of any other client.

Your progress will continue to be monitored and adjusted according to your readiness for more challenges. Some clients with shorter history of addiction or addiction to milder substances may go through treatment and into recovery faster than those suffering from a long-term addiction or a tougher-to-overcome addiction such as heroin. But even that is a generalization. Again, each person is different.

Be prepared to put in the time and do the work necessary to accomplish your goals – learning how to live drug- and addiction-free. Learn about the disease of addiction while you learn about yourself. Understand the underlying causes that drive your addictive behaviors, and gain the all-important tools that will help you in recovery.

Luxury Drug Treatment Comes with a Price

Naturally, the more exclusive the facility, the more expensive the treatment will be. Those with stellar reputations (such and such celebrity went there and kicked drugs and alcohol, etc.) are harder to get into and, therefore, may seem even more desirable to the potential client.

Clients who check into luxury drug treatment centers usually aren’t concerned about the cost. But don’t be deterred if this is the type of treatment that you feel will most benefit you. There is always a way to find the type of treatment you need. You may just have to search a little longer. If price is a consideration, then, contact the luxury drug treatment facility and inquire about payment plans, financing, or other options. Some residential luxury drug treatment facilities may offer outpatient programs or intensive treatment workshops that may be appropriate for your needs. These may be in conjunction with private psychotherapy, 12-step group meetings or other individual and/or group counseling sessions.

Ultimate Consideration – How Well Does it Work?

More than price, more than amenities, location, world-class chefs and services – what you need to consider most of all is how well does the luxury drug treatment program work? What is the track record of the facility in treating the type or types of addiction that you have? That’s all that should ultimately concern you. If you’re a compulsive gambler who also drinks, does the facility specialize in treating both addictions? If you have a sexual compulsivity or addiction, does the facility have certified sexual addiction therapists (CSATs) on staff? Also factor in the type and variety of aftercare programs available once you leave treatment and are in recovery.

No matter how luxurious the drug treatment center, how well they treat you and how well you do while you’re there, eventually you will leave and re-enter your world. If you hope to overcome the temptations, the stresses and cravings that are bound to appear, you need continuing assistance and support. Another measure of how well the luxury drug treatment program works is the quality of the aftercare support it provides.

In the End – Choose Recovery

Weigh all your options, whether that’s the location and exclusivity of the luxury drug treatment facility, number and type of amenities, its reputation, track record, credentials of the staff, and aftercare. Narrow your list to the few facilities that most appeal to you. Make an appointment and visit them, and ask all the questions you need to ensure that you’re satisfied. Then, make the choice to choose recovery. In the end, that’s the only decision that matters because it’s the one that can change your life forever.

Should you stay close to home or go far away?
Are you dependent on insurance or can you afford private pay?
Do you want individual therapy?
Do you want to see a psychiatrist?
Do you need any specialized clinical services?
Will you be able to stay in contact with your job or family?

Let’s address these considerations one by one.

Should You Attend a Drug Rehab Close to Home?

This is actually probably the least important consideration. A drug rehab should be chosen based on the clinical program and the ability to address any specialized issues you may have. Limiting yourself to a location close to home may preclude getting the best treatment for your addiction.

Being far from home can also have certain benefits. It creates a feeling that you are truly focusing on recovery and healing and you will not be distracted by what’s “just down the street.”

In the end, the choice of location should be based on what program has the best clinical services and track record for the treatment of addiction and any underlying diagnoses such as depression or anxiety.

Insurance-Dependent or Ability to Pay Privately

If you are dependent on health insurance to fund your treatment, the best thing to do is contact your insurance company and get a full explanation of your benefits. They may also have a list of approved treatment providers. Many plans only pay for outpatient treatment – and will only pay for residential drug rehab if the outpatient treatment fails. They want to focus on the least expensive forms of treatment first.

If you are able to pay privately for care, figure out your budget. This way you can contact the different drug rehabs and find out if they are within that budget. Some drug rehabs will offer some price consideration if you are very serious about your treatment, although this usually depends on demand at that particular rehab.

Do You Want Individual Therapy?

Drug rehab programs vary in how much individual therapy they offer. Most offer group therapy with a limited amount of private therapy. If individual therapy is important to you, make sure you are offered this on a regular basis – twice a week is a good place to start. Generally you will also have to participate in group therapy, but the individual sessions can enhance the effectiveness of these sessions.

Do You Want to See a Psychiatrist While in Rehab?

If you have a psychiatric diagnosis such as depression, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, or ADHD for example, this will be more critical in your decision-making process. It will be essential that you have access to board-certified psychiatrists while in treatment.

Do You Need Any Specialized Clinical Services?

Do you have a problem with spending? Have you been a victim of trauma and suffer from PTSD? Do you feel your sexual behavior is out of control? These are all specialized issues that require individual attention. A top drug rehab will offer at no extra charge to you access to specialists who can treat these particular issues or any others you may want to address. When speaking with the intake specialists at the drug rehab ask about dual diagnosis and specify what clinical issues you will need specialized services to treat.

Can I Stay in Contact with Work and Family?

Although your primary focus needs to be on addressing your addiction, it is very possible to fit in time each day to check e-mail, make phone calls, and connect with your job and family. Usually special times are set aside for these types of activity, but double-check with the drug rehab you are considering to find out their policy.