A question that I am very frequently asked is how go about locating local addiction treatment help.
In all honesty, I would not trust an Internet search because there is a lot of bad information and huge advertising budgets out there. The one solid recommendation I make is to use the addiction treatment locator provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration which is a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
If the treatment center is licensed, or certified it will be listed here. You simply click on the map; enter a radius from your zip code and you will see an amazing amount of drug rehab services located in your area with a brief synopsis of the services offered.
Here is that link: Click Here Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the post. I totally agree with how to find, but I also think an internet search works wonders as well. Getting an idea from any type of search is a good thing because the addict is looking for help.
As I always say, there is no right or wrong way as long as you get there.
Yes it is a good idea to get yourself the information you need for drug rehab in your area. In talking to the different centers you will learn which program is best for you and it will also help you in knowing what other questions you need answered in order to get to the right program you need.
Hey Bill, I’m glad you wrote about this. It’s exactly this problem that is leading me to try and develop a treatment referral service that actually screens providers before allowing them to become part of the directory. While objective, the problem with the SAMHSA database is that is is not regularly updated and carries very little actual information about the facilities themselves.
No doubt though, internet searches often simply lead people to the expensive places on there.
Adi Jaffe´s last blog ..VOTE FOR All About Addiction!!! We need you votes for this Health Blog contest!!!
Thanks for the link, I was searching for this.
Smsha is the best addiction treatment centers resource available as you said.
Yes, that is correct, if an addictions treatment center is licensed it can be found on the US Department of Health and Human Services locating thingy.
But not every center that is licensed is good. For example there are many drivers licensed, but lots of them have no clue about driving.
Same is true for addiction treatment centers. Some may be legal, but that’s all there is. They can’t help anybody and make things worse.