Written By: Peter Marinelli of The Archway Foundation

Seeking treatment for addiction can be a difficult process. Although the addiction sufferer needs to be helped, they are usually reluctant to “go in” to a facility for help. So often the decision to place the addict in treatment is up to loved ones including where to send them.

Now there are legitimate concerns here as to who is going to be most helpful and which facility will the addict be lost in the big wheel filled with many other clients.

Furthermore, some may be aware of the underbelly in the treatment center industry which often is purely profit motivated thereby making this decision a scary one. Because of this reason, I started a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to offer quality addiction treatment to individuals regardless of the financial barriers they may be experiencing. This has allowed our organization, The Archway Foundation, to put our patient care before profits.

Overall, however, I can say from many years of experience that so many of the professionals in the industry are hardworking, caring and truly want to help.

Some points to consider:

First, this decision should not rest on the shoulders of the addict/alcoholic as they are not thinking clearly at all.

Finding a facility away from home is always a better choice so the addict can have space from the toxic environment, people, places, and things. Although this may be hard to digest in some families the addict needs to get away from the family environment as well.

Asking the facility if the family will be involved throughout the treatment process is an important question and a needed service. Individual counseling is also key here for the addict as well as families.

How successful is the facility at “blocking” the client if they want to leave against medical advice. How long will they be in treatment and what is the after-care plan?

Some of the upside to treatment is simply stabilization. The client will be medically detoxed, and if they are taking medications, those will be evaluated along with exploring if there are any mental health issues that accompany the addiction and those will also be addressed as well.

Pricing varies; however, insurance will cover the cost depending on the insurance carrier. Admission professionals should be able to assist families in navigating what specific levels of care their insurance will provide.

In an individual does not have insurance, there are still options to receive help. There are free resources available for people suffering from addiction. There are also many scholarship opportunities for those experiencing financial barriers to receiving proper care.

Families are encouraged to seek help as well, whether it be therapy and or Al-Anon

While in treatment, clients will get an opportunity to address many unresolved issues in their life, including trauma and as well as learning about the disease of addiction. One can’t work on a solution if they don’t know the problem.

In conclusion, seeking treatment for addiction is a challenging but essential step towards recovery. While the decision may initially rest on the shoulders of loved ones, it’s crucial to find a facility that prioritizes the patients’ needs above the bottom line.