How to Choose a Rehab Center: What to Look For, What to Avoid

A rehab center should be licensed, accredited, have a positive industry reputation, and offer a full continuum of personalized care. Learn about the factors that constitute quality treatment so you can find the right facility for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• The right facility can make all the difference in recovery success rates.
• Clients should look for various characteristics when choosing a facility that’s right for them, including the services offered, the environment, a continuum of care, personalized treatment, licenses, accreditations, and insurance verification.
• Red flags to look out for include a cookie-cutter approach, vague language around licensing and accreditation, a hard sales push, suspiciously low prices, and success guarantees.

Table of Contents

• What Levels of Care Does the Treatment Center Offer?
• What Treatment Approaches Do They Provide?
• What Licenses and Accreditations Do They Have?
• Do They Offer a Continuum of Care?
• Do They Accept Health Insurance Coverage?
• What is the Rehab Environment?
• What Red Flags Should I Look Out For?
• Choose Capital Recovery for Effective Rehab Results
• FAQs

Introduction

Given the high rate of relapse among individuals treated for substance use disorders, quality care matters. But those unfamiliar with the industry may wonder what to look for in a rehabilitation facility. Reputation, licensing, accreditation, levels of care, and services offered matter.

A woman talks to her therapist, and finds out how to choose a rehab center

This article will review all aspects of recovery treatment to help you connect with a provider who’s right for you. The search can be difficult, but when you start with New Hampshire’s Capital Recovery, you will find all you need in one comprehensive treatment program.

What Levels of Care Does the Treatment Center Offer?

Addiction treatment is typically offered in levels of care. Each level can be a primary form of care or a step down from a more intensive level. It’s important to connect with a clinic that offers various levels of care, allowing you to find a starting point that’s right for you, or continue through the levels with one provider.

Capital Recovery offers various levels of outpatient treatment, as follows:

• Detox Services: Often the first step of the recovery journey, we administer detox with a medically supervised approach to reduce the risk of complications and ensure optimal comfort. This method has been shown to yield positive results for opioid use disorders and other dependency issues. Our oversight also prevents relapse, ensuring a successful first stage of healing.
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Clients attend therapy sessions for several hours a day, 5-6 days a week, then return home. This level of care is recommended for those who require structured oversight but have stable home environments.
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment: Sessions are typically 3 hours long and are offered 3-5 days a week; ideal for clients who need structured care but can adhere to treatment without daily oversight.
• Traditional Outpatient: Clients attend shorter sessions, typically 30-45 minutes long, once or twice daily for ongoing emotional regulation.
• Supportive Housing: Housing is available for clients who need extra assistance transitioning to daily life.

What Treatment Approaches Do They Provide?

The treatment providers should use a combination of proven methods, which have been shown to get results in drug rehab journeys. Each should be personalized to the individual’s lifestyle, goals, and stage in the recovery process. They may include:

• Evidence-Based Therapies: Providers often integrate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing, all of which have proven success rates in addiction recovery. CBT is particularly well-reviewed and contributes to high recovery rates when combined with pharmacotherapy.
• Holistic Approaches: Yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and other mindfulness techniques may be incorporated into care to promote overall wellness.
• Medically-Assisted Treatment: Medical detox may be used to reduce the risk of complications and withdrawal symptoms in the early stages of recovery. Medications may also be prescribed later in the treatment process to reduce cravings and for emotional regulation.
• Dual Diagnosis: Co-occurring disorders are common in recovery treatment, as many patients use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate mental health issues. Many treatment centers offer a dual diagnosis approach, simultaneously treating addiction and underlying disorders to ensure lasting recovery. The best rehabs target a wide range of SUDs and emotional conditions.

What Licenses and Accreditations Do They Have?

The best New Hampshire clinics will be licensed and accredited, as follows:

• Licensing is a must. All facilities should carry a state license provided by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NHDDS) Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS) that matches the facility type.
• Accreditation: Facilities that are accredited meet a higher bar. Common accreditations for drug rehab programs include the Joint Commission, which ensures treatment centers meet high operational standards, and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities (CARF), which evaluates clinics based on staff quality, clinical care, and personalized approaches.
• Staff Credentials: Qualified staff may include a master ‘s-level licensed drug and alcohol counselor (MLADC), a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC), a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW), a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC), and a licensed psychologist.

Do They Offer a Continuum of Care?

Recovery is typically an ongoing journey that spans from detox to rehab and beyond. The clinic should offer a full continuum of care, addressing the physical bonds of addiction through detox, the mental aspects of dependency through therapy sessions, and continue to provide aftercare support through resource recommendations, check-ins, alumni services, and supportive housing.

Do They Accept Health Insurance Coverage?

According to SAMHSA, 80% of people with an SUD don’t get the help they need. Cost is often a barrier.

The right rehab will work with major insurance providers to make care more affordable. They will take your insurance information and conduct a complete verification in advance, so you know exactly what you pay before you commit to treatment.

If you don’t have insurance, they will review other payment options that can make care more affordable.

What is the Rehab Environment?

The rehab environment is an essential factor when choosing the right treatment center. Consider the following factors when choosing a facility that feels right:

• Luxury vs. Homey: While luxury amenities, like fitness centers, gourmet meals, and private rooms, may seem ideal, they are also costly. However, there are plenty of traditional rehabs, like Capital Recovery, that offer a home-like, soothing environment, conducive to healing.
• Nearby vs. Far Away: Some people like to travel for care to gain a new perspective and remove themselves from the triggers of daily life. Others prefer to stay close to home so they can schedule treatment around work and other daily responsibilities.

What Red Flags Should I Look Out For?

Here are some red flags that indicate a rehab facility may not offer the care quality that supports lifelong recovery:

• No Verifiable Licensing or Accreditation: Any legitimate facility will immediately inform you of its licensing and accreditation. If the program can’t provide this information or is vague about licensing, walk away.
• Guarantee of Success: Unfortunately, recovery success is never guaranteed. Any facility that makes sweeping claims or promises 100% recovery rates is likely not representating their facility honestly.
• Pressure to Commit Immediately: A reliable facility will present treatment options and allow you to review what’s available on your own time. High-pressure sales tactics often indicate dishonesty, and the facility may resort to other un-ethical practices to drive sales.
• One-Size-Fits-All Treatment Approach: A personalized approach is key to long-term success in ongoing recovery. Providers that offer cookie-cutter services are problematic.
• Unusually Low Cost Without Explanation: Some facilities may offer extremely low-cost services with no clear explanation, such as insurance, sliding scale, or grant funding. It’s worth asking why their prices are so low. They could be cutting corners on other aspects of quality care.

Choose Capital Recovery for Effective Rehab Results

There are several factors to consider when choosing recovery treatment. Capital Recovery offers everything you need. We provide a full continuum of outpatient care, including holistic, evidence-based treatment delivered by licensed professionals. Our facility is licensed and accredited, providing a homey feel in a cozy farmhouse environment.

Contact us when you’re ready to start your treatment journey.

FAQs

How do I know if a rehab center is legitimate?

Look for state licensure through the NH Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS) and national accreditation from CARF or The Joint Commission. Verify that clinical staff hold active NH licenses through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Ask about the treatment approaches used, the staff-to-client ratio, and what aftercare planning looks like. A legitimate facility will answer these questions openly and without pressure.

Can family members be involved in treatment?

Yes, and family support is strongly encouraged at most reputable programs. Addiction affects the entire family system, and involving loved ones in the treatment process can be an important part of recovery. Ask any facility you’re considering about its family programming and how it facilitates family involvement.

Does insurance cover rehab in New Hampshire?

Many private and public insurance plans cover at least some level of addiction treatment. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) requires most insurance plans to cover substance use disorder treatment at the same level as other medical care. Consider calling both your insurance provider and the facility’s admissions team to understand exactly what is covered before enrolling.

What is the difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab?

An inpatient rehabilitation facility offers 24/7 residential care. Outpatient rehab allows clients to live at home while attending treatment sessions during the day or evening. The right level of care depends on the severity of the addiction, the presence of co-occurring conditions, the home environment, and other individual factors. A clinical assessment can help determine which level is most appropriate.

What is dual diagnosis treatment?

Dual diagnosis refers to the presence of both a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder. Treatment addresses both conditions simultaneously rather than treating them separately. This is considered the standard of care because untreated mental health conditions significantly increase the risk of relapse.

Sources

1. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. “Bureau of Drug & Alcohol Services (BDAS).” https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/bureau-drug-alcohol-services-bdas
2. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. “Substance Misuse Treatment Services.” https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/health-care/substance-misuse-treatment-services
3. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. “Drug & Alcohol Services Training & Licensure.” https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/health-care/drug-alcohol-services-training-licensure
4. NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. “Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals.” https://www.oplc.nh.gov/board-licensing-alcohol-and-other-drug-use-professionals
5. NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. “FAQs for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors.” https://www.oplc.nh.gov/faqs-licensed-alcohol-and-drug-counselors
6. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. “NH Drug & Alcohol Treatment Locator.” https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/alcohol-tobacco-other-substance-misuse/nh-drug-alcohol-treatment-locator
7. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorder.” https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options
8. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “MAT Overview.” https://www.integration.samhsa.gov/clinical-practice/mat/mat-overview
9. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).” https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/private-health-insurance/mental-health-parity-addiction-equity
10. U.S. Department of Labor. “Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity.” https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations/laws/mental-health-and-substance-use-disorder-parity