How to find a high-quality addiction treatment center

70 million Americans struggled with substance use in 2023. But here’s a number that’s even more alarming: In that same year, 95% of people who needed drug rehabilitation services didn’t receive the care they needed.

The availability of treatment isn’t the only problem—the quality is too. Addiction treatment mills (facilities that prioritize profits over patient care) run rampant, making it increasingly difficult for people to find the level of care they need and deserve.

There is some good news, though: There are high-quality addiction treatment centers out there.

8 criteria for a high-quality addiction treatment center

Now for the logical next question: How do you recognize and find them?

There are established characteristics that indicate a high-quality addiction treatment center, and this can serve as a checklist of sorts when evaluating options. These criteria were defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Let’s take a closer look at each of the eight criteria that can help people find legitimate treatment options that will truly support their recovery journey.

High-quality addiction treatment centers…

1. Have accreditations

As American Addiction Centers explains, accreditation is a reliable signal that an addiction treatment center goes above and beyond state licensing requirements to adhere to “certain policies, guidelines, and standards of practice and care set by a respected third-party organization in the addiction and mental health treatment industry.”

Some of the most relevant accreditations to look for are:

• The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
• The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval

While it’s wise to look for the other criteria on this list as well, a Joint Commission or CARF accreditation indicates that an addiction treatment center is legitimate and first-rate.

2. Use evidence-based behavioral therapies

High-quality addiction treatment facilities will also use evidence-based therapies—meaning they use research-backed approaches that have proven effective in clinical studies. These can include:

• Talk therapy: Also known as psychotherapy, talk therapy consists of structured, one-on-one conversational sessions with a mental health counselor that include relapse prevention strategies
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A form of psychotherapy that focuses on ways to help you change unhelpful or unhealthy ways of thinking
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT): A form of psychotherapy that teaches people to move away from negative thought patterns that can trigger a relapse
• Contingency management (CM): Behavioral therapy that rewards people for making positive behavioral changes
• Motivational interviewing (MI): Counseling focused on identifying the patterns and habits the person wants to change and enhancing their internal motivation to do so
• Brief interventions (BI): Short, focused counseling sessions aimed at increasing motivation to change risky behaviors

If an addiction treatment facility can’t answer questions about its treatment approaches in detail, it’s a red flag that the center doesn’t have a structured process or guiding philosophy.

3. Offer medications for addiction

While counseling and behavioral therapies are a key part of addiction treatment, medications are another important piece of the puzzle. According to the NIDA, medications can help treat withdrawals, curb cravings, and prevent relapse.

Different medications are helpful for different types of addictions. For example, Methadone is commonly used for people who are struggling with an opioid addiction while Naltrexone can be helpful for those dealing with an alcohol addiction.

The NIAAA advises steering clear of addiction treatment centers or therapists who outright reject medications as part of the treatment and recovery process.

4. Attend to mental health and physical health needs

Addiction is complex and multi-faceted—and it impacts a person physically, mentally, and emotionally. A high-quality addiction treatment center will address all of those needs. Put simply, they focus on the whole person and not just their addiction.

This usually involves a comprehensive assessment early in the treatment process, which should also include steps like:

• Testing for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, STIs, and other infectious diseases
• Evaluating a patient to determine if there are underlying mental health conditions

This due diligence allows a treatment facility to provide more personalized and effective patient care.

5. Provide readily available treatment

Lack of access is a major problem in substance use treatment. In one study, researchers found that only 54% of the residential addiction treatment centers they contacted had a bed immediately available. For facilities that maintained a waitlist, the average estimated time before a bed opened was 28 days.

Once people determine they’re ready for and willing to participate in treatment for their substance use disorder, it can be a fleeting window—making it an urgent matter. And that means 28 days is far too long to wait. A high-quality treatment center seizes the opportunity and offers rapid access to care.

6. Personalize treatment plans for each patient

Substance use disorder isn’t one-size-fits-all—so treatment shouldn’t be either. In fact, treatment is most effective when it’s successfully matched to an individual’s unique needs.

For example, some people might require detox and inpatient care while others benefit most from outpatient options. Or, different medications can be helpful for different people.

A first-class addiction treatment center won’t wedge people into the same path and program. Instead, the facility will gain a deep understanding of a person’s needs and build a targeted treatment plan from there.

7. Provide long-term care and continuous monitoring

Overcoming a substance use disorder isn’t a quick or easy fix. In many cases, it requires continuous effort. High-quality treatment centers are there for the whole journey—not just the first step.

These facilities and providers will monitor the patient for a longer period and adjust treatment plans when necessary. Studies show that longer-term treatments often yield better results.

8. Offer recovery support services

Substance use disorder can touch every aspect of a person’s life, which means they often need help beyond addressing their immediate addiction.

A high-quality addiction treatment center not only provides long-term treatment in the form of counseling, coaching, or support groups but also resources to help with other needs like housing, employment, family therapy, parenting classes, and even legal services.

Treating the addiction itself is important. However, high-quality treatment facilities recognize that solely addressing the addiction and then putting people back into the same life circumstances increases the chance of a relapse. So, they take a holistic view and help people with their varied needs.

Substance use care with Carrum Health

When a person decides they’re ready to pursue treatment for a substance use disorder, it’s an overwhelming time. And, unfortunately, many shoddy treatment options prey on people’s desperation and their vulnerable emotional state.

That’s where Carrum Health comes in. Carrum exclusively partners with addiction treatment centers that meet the established criteria for high-quality substance use treatment. Partnering with Carrum will help you eliminate the guesswork and connect your members with superior treatment facilities that serve as reliable, supportive partners on the journey to recovery.

Learn more about Carrum’s valued-based substance use treatment program.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. No material is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.