1. Make a list - First make sure you have all of the information necessary for the addict. This includes age, drug of choice, and length of addiction. These may be questions asked when you first call for information. If there is more than one drug being used, it is important to mention that in the first meeting or on the phone.
2. Know the addict - You may be the best person to judge if you are not the one with the addiction. Mental illness is important for any facility to know about because that can affect treatment if it is not dealt with up front. Any special needs should be discussed right away so the facilitator can tell you if their program is suited to treat the addict or not.
3. Age matters - When looking for treatment for a friend or family member, it is important to tell the facilitator the age right up front. Adolescent patients and the elderly need different types of care and knowing the age is important for a facility so they know if they are best suited to treat your loved one or friend.
4. Know the drug treatment program - It is best to talk to people who run drug treatment programs that already have a good reputation. You do not want to be stuck in a facility that does not have the proper tools necessary to treat either you or your loved one.
5. Ask about the staff - You should know what kind of professionals a facility has on staff. If the staff is not experienced dealing with addicts then you may want to make another choice of facility. Certification is important here because you do not want to be submitted to treatment from a counselor who does not know what he is doing.
6. Ask about the program - Make sure the facility you call has a program that meets your interest or the interest of the drug user. You do not want to put your loved one or yourself in a 12-step program if it is something you've used before and it didn't work for you. There are many alternative programs available and you can easily find a program that will suit your needs or the needs of your loved one.
Finding a drug treatment program does not have to be difficult. In fact, it can be the best decision you have ever made.