10 Factors You Need To Consider When Choosing A Detox Program In 2022

Choosing a detox program is not easy.

Though it must be said that no part of detoxing is easy. 

The issue with choosing a detox program is that there are so many variables to consider. How do you know a scam from a legitimate program? And even among the legitimate programs, how do you know what will work for you? No one wants to dedicate themselves to a program they can’t do.

But even more than that, no one wants to dedicate to a program that is hurtful to them. People are apprehensive towards detox programs because they are worried that they will be judged, lectured, or even held captive in a detox facility until they meet some standard of behavior.

That is not the case, but it is hard to believe that if you do not know what to expect. We are here to try and clear that up by going over the 10 things to consider when choosing a detox program.

1. How the Program Aligns with Your Beliefs

In practice, this is not the most important factor of a detox program. But in theory, people are a lot more comfortable giving a program a try if they know it is built around a worldview similar to their own. Mostly this means determining if you want a religious program or not. 

The issue with religious programs is that they can easily veer into “faith healing” scams. But the advantage of them is that overcoming addiction is a highly internal process. You can have all the medical treatment you need and still fail to shoulder the emotional burden.

Whether you choose secular or sacred, the right choice is going with whatever agrees with how you view your own addiction.

2. What the Program Does for You Medically

Some people are just not going to be able to deal with detox without medical intervention. This can mean medication for withdrawal symptoms, intervention for seizures, and much more. 

The more severe your addiction, the more medical assistance you will need.

3. The Living Accommodations of the Program

Related to the medical assistance the program can render, you need to be aware of whether you will want to (or need to) get a residential detox program. These are advantageous for people who need frequent assistance or accountability.

4. The Accessibility of the Program

It doesn’t matter if your program is the greatest in the world if it takes place in the North Pole. You need a program you can access easily while still going about your day-to-day life. 

Pick something that makes it easy to get to and from work. This can mean picking a program that is a short drive away, or at least gives you access to public transportation.

5. What Sort of Addiction You Have

As far as practical concerns go, this should be at the top of the list. You are not going to have a very fun detox if you are at an alcoholics’ facility while you suffer from heroin withdrawal. 

This seems straightforward but remember to look at whether or not they both accommodate people who have your addiction as well as supply them. It does you no good to make use of a detox program that does not actually have the medical supplies to treat your addiction.

6. Think About Therapy

We alluded to this earlier, but a good portion of the battle for control over your addiction is internal. A person has to balance cravings, guilt, and determination. That is a lot, and it cannot be done alone. There are lots of different kinds of therapy to help you. 

Some people prefer solo therapy, others prefer group therapy. You can even get therapy of varying degrees of anonymity if you do not want to share your identity.

7. Look at Their Reputation

So far, we have mostly talked about the different things you need. But it is also important to consider what is going on with the detox center you are interested in. 

If they have a bad reputation, then it does not matter what features they claim to have. They will offer the most enticing sales pitch in the world, promising the sun and the moon, but if you read that they are abusive or negligent, then assume that it is the truth and avoid them.

8. Options Afterwards

Another important thing a detox program should offer is follow-up care. Detox is just the first step to recovery. You have to think long term about what sort of medical assistance and counseling they might be able to offer you further down the line.

9. How Long the Program Takes

This should not be considered in isolation, as a longer program is not always better, no more than a shorter program is always better. What matters is not just how long a program is, but how long you need it to be. This is mostly dependent on how intense your addiction is.

10. Your Budget

We saved this for last because it is the most unfortunate thing that can get in the way of getting proper treatment. Luckily, most detox programs are designed to be affordable. They know that their main market is people that can barely hold down a job.

Just be sure to not overpay, and don’t pay for anything that requires repeated payments. There are detox facilities that will try to get you paying all year round if they can.

Conclusion

Here is one thing you have to understand: Helping people get over drugs is not exactly a growth industry. If a person really wanted money, they would invest in real estate or technology.

Most detox programs are there to help you. It is hard to believe in this highly profit-driven world. And even those that just want to help have to charge for their assistance in order to stay afloat. 

But if you know what you need, then you can find the right detox program easily. Head to Ascendant New York to learn more about these kinds of programs.