New Year, New You – How To Pick The Best Rehab

It’s a perfect time to finally get treatment for an addiction. A new year, a new life. But how do you pick a rehab? Do you go through the public health system or opt for a private drug rehab centre?

Choosing a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility for a loved one struggling with addiction can be an overwhelming task and working out which treatment facility is right for your loved one might seem just too difficult.

To make your life a little easier, check out the top things to consider when choosing a rehab.

Quick admission

Getting a loved one to agree to entering a rehab can be very difficult; so when your loved one experiences a moment of clarity and sees reason, quick admission can be vital. Queensland’s public health drug and alcohol services are in huge demand – often with long waiting lists. Typically for entry to a public service you may be looking at anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months for admission.

The Hader Clinic Queensland does not have a waiting list, so you can have your loved one admitted to residential treatment within 24 hours of contacting us.

In-house detox

Another potential reason to choose a private rehab rather than a public one is the detox process.

Queensland public rehabilitation centres will not admit patients prior to undergoing detox. Detox services are available through public health service, but, if you don’t have private health insurance, you will have to undergo detox through Queensland Health’s Hospital Alcohol and Drug Service (HADS), where there are limited beds available, and if you are lucky to get a bed, you have to hope there is availability in a rehab centre directly upon completion to minimise the risk of relapse prior to admission.

The Hader Clinic Queensland provides in-house detox, with our own GPs, counsellors, therapists and support staff and upon completion of detox, clients begin the rehabilitation treatment immediately.

You should make sure to ask a private rehab about their detox approach. Detoxing from drugs or alcohol can be a harrowing experience, so you want your loved one to get the best care possible. Medical and psychological monitoring around the clock, readily available support staff and, if necessary, use of medication to ease the early stages of withdrawal are part of any effective detox plan.

Accreditation and licensing

If a private rehab centre is not officially accredited and licensed, you should think very carefully about choosing it.

Official accreditation means an independent assessor has thoroughly examined a rehabilitation facility and deemed it effective, efficient and up to the national standard of operations.

The Hader Clinic Queensland is the only private drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Queensland with accreditation from The Australian Council of Healthcare Standards (ACHS).

Approved provider

Ask your rehab if they have been approved by the Australian Government to be an approved provider of residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation services for the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA).

The DVA issues health cards to veterans, their war widow(er)s and dependants to ensure they have access to health and other care services.
White and Gold DVA Health Card holders can undertake a residential addiction rehabilitation treatment program at an approved private rehab for no cost, with immediate admission with a doctor’s referral.

The Hader Clinic Queensland is an approved provider of residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation services for Australian Government Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) patients and therefore can provide White and Gold DVA Health Card holders with immediate access, at no cost, to the residential treatment program (doctor’s referral required).

Recovery rate

It may seem obvious, but don’t forget to check out the long term recovery rate of any private rehab you are considering. That way you can make sure your loved one has the best chance to get better. If a rehab won’t tell you this, or doesn’t display their recovery rates publicly, ask yourself “why?”

The Hader Clinic’s most recent audit revealed that 74% of patients completing the 90 Day Addiction Treatment Program and aftercare program have remained drug and/or alcohol free.

Multidisciplinary treatment plan

Addiction is a multifaceted issue and requires what is known as a multidisciplinary approach. An effective and efficient rehab should provide medical treatment (i.e. during detox), mental health services, physical therapy and addiction counselling; and have qualified and accredited staff to provide these services.

The Hader Clinic Queensland’s addiction treatment model comprises five areas of treatment; physical, emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual. It includes Detox, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Individual Counselling, Group Therapy, Family Therapy, Addiction Education, 12 Step, Exercise, Meditation, Art Therapy and Therapeutic Community.

Dual diagnosis treatment / mental health

Substance abuse issues often co-occur with a variety of mental health issues and addiction treatment has been proven substantially more effective when addiction and mental health issues are treated alongside each other – an approach known as integrated treatment or dual diagnosis treatment.

It is essential to make sure your chosen rehab offers a dual diagnosis program to treat addiction and mental health issues at the same time.

The Hader Clinic Queensland are mental health and addiction specialists. Therapists and counsellors work closely with dual diagnosis residents to determine if one problem led to the other. We create personalised treatment plans that address both issues without causing new problems to arise.

Aftercare and relapse prevention

Recovery does not end when you complete a residential addiction treatment program. In fact, returning to ‘reality’ brings its own challenges, where you are surrounded by all the triggers of your addiction.

You should make sure the rehab you choose for your loved one offers comprehensive aftercare and relapse prevention programs to help them adjust to regular life without drugs or alcohol.

The Hader Clinic Queensland offers transitional housing to everyone completing the addiction treatment program, as well as an open-ended aftercare and relapse prevention program including regular counselling sessions, family therapy and group therapy.

Treatment duration

Most rehabilitation facilities offer a variety of durations for their addiction treatment programs, 14, 30 and 90 day programs are commonly seen.
You should carefully consider the duration bearing in mind how likely it is to achieve successful treatment for addiction – an often complex illness involving mental health issues.

Clinical research proves there is a greater chance of long term recovery from addiction when treatment is undertaken for a minimum of 90 days.

Short programs might sound enticing as a “quick-fix” but they are more likely to result in relapse.

The Hader Clinic Queensland provides both a 30 day and 90 day addiction treatment program and both can be extended if required. Our assessment team will discuss your addiction and mental health history and determine which program duration is suitable for you.

Family services

Addiction is not only hard on the addict, but also on their family. Family’s are often “broken” at the time of treatment with relationships badly damaged.

For successful treatment it is important that your rehab has programs in place to address these issues, both for the addict and the family members.

Your loved one can benefit hugely from family involvement in the recovery process, and so can you.

When choosing a rehab, ask them if they have a family program and if so, what is involved.

The Hader Clinic Queensland has an integrated family therapy program. Our family therapy provides family members with professional and supportive counselling sessions with a therapist who understands the pain addiction can cause others. An expert therapist will work with members of the family to help their personal trauma and recovery. Family group nights are also held (with online access for anyone who cannot attend in person) to bring families together for education, help and to create a new ongoing support network.