What Should I Look For in an Outpatient Treatment Center for My Client?

Your client must receive long-term addiction care to sustain recovery when dealing with cravings, burnout, and navigating a new lifestyle.

There are many options for providing long-term care for your client, such as outpatient treatment. Knowing what treatment options are available will be vital to ensuring that you refer your client to the right place. Sending them to an outpatient program that does not meet their needs could damage your client's trust in you and their trust in mental health and substance use providers. 

Three Questions You Should Consider When Choosing an Outpatient Treatment Center 

Assessing the needs and preferences of your client and the reputations of any outpatient treatment centers you are considering will be essential when deciding what outpatient program you recommend to your client. The three things you should consider when choosing the best long-term care treatment program for your client are:

#1. What Are the Needs of My Client?

Not all outpatient treatment centers will provide the resources your client needs to continue their journey to sobriety successfully. For example, you may have a client suffering from a substance use disorder and may also be experiencing comorbidity with a mental health condition or a substance use disorder. In this instance, known as a dual diagnosis, it is vital to research outpatient programs that are qualified to treat all of your client's illnesses holistically. 

Additionally, during your time with your client, you may have determined that specific therapies such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), groups session, or various other modalities are more successful for treating your client. 

Sober Living Homes

Outpatient programs offer the freedom of allowing patients to return to their everyday lives, but sober living homes provide a more controlled environment free of drugs and alcohol. Sober living homes have staff on-site to help your client with cravings and help keep them accountable. 

If you believe that your client will need extra assistance to stay sober, a more monitored program like a sober living home would be better. 

#2. What Are the Preferences of My Client?

Your client has more than likely set boundaries with you or has been vocal about modalities, beliefs, or practices that they do and do not want in their treatment plan. Choosing a facility that may not respect their choices could demotivate them while recovering. Some questions to consider when understanding your client's preferences are:

• What are their religious or spiritual beliefs?

• Are they open to holistic practices or medicated assisted treatment (MAT)? 

• Do they have any dietary restrictions that need to be accommodated?

• Are they comfortable living with people of the opposite sex? 

• Can they afford to go out of state, or would they prefer to stay close to home? 

• Do they want to live by themselves or with other people committed to their sobriety?

Avoid placing your client in a box while they are recovering. Instead, finding an environment where they will feel comfortable rediscovering themselves without judgment will be vital to their recovery. Understanding your client's needs from their perspective will help you identify an outpatient program that will meet them at their level and give you a better chance of providing your client the long-term care they need.

#3. What Are the Reputations and Credentials of the Outpatient Treatment Centers You Are Considering?

Many facilities have claimed to be five-star treatment programs for those dealing with substance use disorders. Some facilities have staff lacking credentials, treatment plans that are not evidence-based, and various other issues that cause them to go defunct. Unfortunately, these outpatient treatment centers still pop up occasionally, doing irreparable damage to patients and the providers involved. 

This is why it is crucial to thoroughly research the reputations and credentials of the outpatient addiction centers (and their faculty) that you are considering. To identify a quality treatment facility, look for the following:

• The facility is fully accredited.

• The facility has full-time and licensed staff equipped to treat people dealing with substance use and other patients who may have a dual diagnosis.

• The facility uses evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), DBT, MAT, and other modalities that have been scientifically proven to improve the well-being of those suffering from substance use disorders. 

Ensuring that your client goes to an addiction center with the staff and resources to support them properly is necessary for their recovery. Although there are bad actors that prey upon vulnerable individuals, following these steps will help you identify treatment centers that care about your clients and their recovery. Taking the time to research will set clients up for lasting success. 

The Forge Recovery Center Is an Outpatient Addiction Center Which Knows How Much You Care About Your Clients

We also understand that after your client makes the hard decision to get sober, the best you can do as a provider is to ensure you set your clients up to continue their success. There are many outpatient facilities and programs that are available to your client. Knowing which facility will give your client the best chance of continuing their journey of health, happiness, and peace can be tricky.

The Forge Recovery Center is a fully accredited facility with expertly trained staff to deal with substance use and dual diagnoses. With a strong track record of success, we can help your client reintegrate into a mainstream lifestyle with support, compassion, and accountability.

For more information, call The Forge Recovery Center today.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

June 8, 2022