Lisa, I've worked in rehab all my life, for the last 30 years. Here's my opinion.
1. An important deciding factor in whether you have a "good" rehab experience (and its a "good" rehab experience if you stay clean when you get out) are the qualities and characteristics you bring to rehab. What is the quality of your participation in rehab? What is your degree of commitment to the treatment and to staying clean? What are the plans you make while in rehab about living your life in when you're out of rehab. All too often people think the change process has little to do with themselves. No. Just the opposite, the more positive/useful characheristics you bring to rehab, the more likely you are to stay clean even if the rehab program you attend is not the "best."
2.) Do not expect online websites to be able to evaluate rehab programs for you. The online website only gives you a referral not a recommendation. Now if the website provides an opportunity for patients who went through the program to give their reactions/opinions then you can get some evaluative data about the program quality through this venue.
3. Here are some questions you can ask a rehab program when call. These questions will help you evaluate the program. How many counselors have advanced degrees? How many counselors are independently licensed to treat addiction/alcoholism? If you can visit the rehab facility pay attention to nonverbal factors. These factors also convey the quality of the program. Are staff dressed professionally? What is the condition of the furniture/walls/desks/floors? Is the place clean. Make sure you visit the dining area and inspect it for cleanliness. Do the staff behave professionally and make you feel honored by the time you leave?
4. Is the rehab program publically funded by state/federal/county money or is it privately funded getting reimbursements from private insurance companies. Private facilities often (but not always) are of higher quality because they cater to patients who are higher functioning. Publically funded programs tend to cater to patients who cannot pay because they don't have jobs or dont have very good jobs. In a publically funded program staff are often occupied with helping people find homes, get jobs, find shelter or transportation. I know this sounds judgmental and please realize it is not a rule that applies to all rehab centers.
4. Ask the rehab facility how often you will meet privately with your counselor. The more you meet privately the more individualized your treatment will be.
5. Ask the rehab facility how large their therapy (not lecture) groups are. The smaller your therapy group the more attention you will get. The larger the therapy group the more likely you will be to get attention; the smaller the therapy group the less attention you will get. The ideal group size is 8-12 people according to research and my experience.
6. Does the rehab have a "family program" This allows family and friends to be educated which enhances your treatment and your future recovery.
7. 99% of the rehab programs are based on the 12-steps of AA. This is great if you are suited for AA. Rehab programs are poor at accomodating patients who cannot align themselves with AA. I generally deal with these types of patients in my private practice where I can function independently of rehab philosophy.
My best to you, EP
