Just as every individual is unique, every addiction story that a person bears is one of a kind. This is, perhaps, why choosing a rehabilitation program for a loved one can be such a trying decision for families to make. It’s hard enough to see your son face to face with addiction, but with all of the facilities out there, with all of the promises that they make to prospective patients, the search for help can feel overwhelming. Addiction treatment options vary significantly today— inpatient versus outpatient, long-term versus short-term, group versus individualized counseling… How will you ever know which path is right for your loved one?

The fact is, there is no “one size fits all” model for drug rehabilitation programs. And while there exists no single formula for successful treatment, there are key components that only a successful program will enact. You can discover these qualities simply by asking the right questions. A reputable treatment center for drug addiction will answer you, honestly and confidentially.

1.    What is the treatment philosophy of the rehabilitation center you are considering?
When researching a prospective rehabilitation facility, you want to be sure that their treatment philosophy coincides with your own personal requirements and expectations of a program. More significantly, does their approach to treatment fully embrace the specific needs of your loved one? Many of the best rehabilitation centers adhere to the classic 12-step model of recovery, while others supplement with medical or scientific methodology in approaching addiction treatment. Think about what is most important to you. In choosing a rehab facility, research how they define addiction, and how they define success. As a family, ask what these mean to you. What you decide together will guide you forward.

2.    What is the length of this prospective program?
Every addiction is different, and ultimately, its intensity will give you the most insight in determining what duration of treatment is most appropriate for your son. While there are some individuals who can improve by attending meetings and counseling sessions on their own, most of those facing addiction require more extensive support. Drug addiction leaves a lasting impression on the brain, and it takes significant time to rebuild all that was damaged when a person was using. As a result, professionals believe that recovery can only truly be reached with a minimum of ninety days of consistent treatment. How long do you believe it truly takes for a person to achieve sobriety? Because while we often want to opt for the quickest route to recovery, we have to remember that the most successful method is usually the one that concentrates on the road ahead, to build the greatest success in the long run. A long-term drug rehab program allows for progressive healing of the mind and body, helping recovering addicts to recognize their potential and to realize a future.

3.    What is the staff to resident ratio? 
You want to be sure your son is getting the attention he deserves, because his addiction is uniquely his own. Ask each prospective treatment facility how many staff will be a part of his progress, and how each of them will serve in helping him reach his true turning point. In residential drug rehabilitation programs such as Turnbridge’s, support staff work very closely with patients, ensuring an ever-present and positive model in each resident’s life.

4.    Is the rehabilitation center in a safe environment? 
Wherever you choose for treatment, be sure that the facility is located in a safe and secure environment, free of any outside influences that may lead to relapse. At the same time, it is important that the surroundings of the treatment reflect in them a positive outlook, and pose a comfortable place in which a person can thrive. A setting built for success will bring about the best in an individual. Rather than isolating a patient in a hospitalized, confined environment, an efficient treatment program will provide, under watchful care, space for each resident to flourish. Turnbridge, for example, is integrated into the vibrant community of New Haven, inspiring our residents to return to an active, productive life beyond treatment.

5.    Does this program teach life skills that support sober living, beyond detoxification?
No matter how well an individual does in a program, there will always exist outside influences that can lead him to relapse once he leaves. Whether it is an old party scene, drug-using friends or dealers, even job-related stresses or every day frustrations, there are unavoidable triggers that will tempt a recovering addict back into his previous lifestyle. To keep his head high and focused on complete success, he will need to know how to deal with these social pressures. A thorough treatment program will teach him alternative solutions to problems, without resorting to drugs.

6.    Will my son be able to continue his education? 
Addiction treatment should never have to interfere or interrupt a person’s education. Ask any potential treatment centers how they support ongoing education, and what specific opportunities will be offered to your son as a resident. Will his previously earned credits still apply when continuing his education after treatment? Can his coursework be incorporated into his schedule? At Turnbridge, we understand that education is an important and healthy part of a young adult’s life. As a result, our treatment program sees that both educational advisors and tutors come together with each resident to assess his academic status, enroll him in courses appropriately fit for his goals, and help him excel in each opportunity that arises during recovery.

7.    Will he interact with others? Participate in sober activities?
While recovering from addiction, one can feel scared, alone, and vulnerable when partaking in activities without their old “blanket” of drugs or alcohol. What was once their solution to an uncomfortable situation is now unobtainable, and it can be difficult to replace their old habits with healthy alternatives. Treatment programs, therefore, should incorporate fun and sober activities for residents to join in on, to further establish a platform on which new relationships can grow. Integrating recreational activities into a daily schedule allows for residents to build lasting relationships while participating in the things they enjoy, as a community. In order to keep a person engaged in his recovery, he needs to see that the process can be enjoyable, and that he is not in this alone. At Turnbridge, our residents are in the same age group, in this program for similar reasons, and all carry that same hope for recovery. This is the foundation.

8.    Will he build connections to maintain a sober network after rehab?
Building relationships is an essential part of the recovery process, as it is these meaningful bonds that will persist long after one graduates his treatment program. We believe that these long-term, positive connections are of the most valuable kind of support, creating a sober community for one to trust in during and following the rehabilitation process. This network forms a steady bridge between sober, residential living and the reality of maintaining a sober life outside of treatment. At Turnbridge, young men graduate our program only after they’ve built up this bridge, meeting with therapists, speaking with support groups, and forming relationships with doctors, schools, and vocational programs that they can continue to communicate with beyond rehab. With this integration, any concerns or anxieties associated with preserving a successful, sober life are alleviated.

9.    Will his treatment be tailored to him and his needs as an individual?
No single treatment works for everyone facing addiction. In order to return to productive functioning, a treatment program should adhere to an individual’s specific situation—his medical and psychological backgrounds, his legal and social situations, his age and his drug of choice. Of course, every rehabilitation facility has its own program at the core of its treatment approach, but the best treatments are able to alter this program individually, taking into account the needs of each patient and what blend of therapies will be most beneficial for him. A combination of therapies and services, as we enact at Turnbridge, allow us to tailor treatment to each of our patient’s needs—whether it be medical, social, or emotional. A thorough program will be able to provide any service his needs demand, making his journey as comfortable as it can possibly be.

10. After obtaining all of these answers, ask yourself this final question: will your son be comfortable here, at this chosen treatment facility, through each phase towards recovery?

Does this program offer services that meet his needs, suit his character, and give him hope for a sober future? Rehabilitation is an investment of time, money, and heart, but it can promise the most rewarding future. With a little patience and research, you will make an informed choice. This decision begins the next phase of his life, and you should be confident in your choice of an addiction treatment program. If you need more information, or simply want to get some of these answers today, call Turnbridge at 877-581-1793. We are here and happy to resolve any of your questions, and to get your loved one started on this journey towards recovery.