All About the Treatment Admissions Process

It’s an emotional time when you realize that you need treatment for a substance abuse problem or co-occurring disorder. There are so many questions that come to mind and so many details that need to be worked out: Inpatient or outpatient? How long will treatment take? How much will it cost? What about transportation? What will the treatment process be like?It can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, help is out there—usually just a phone call away.

Once you reach out for assistance, trained admissions coordinators will begin immediately gathering information that will allow them to help you make the right treatment decisions.

“If there is one thing that I would tell someone who is struggling to get clean, it is to know that they are worth the struggle and that there are many people that will love them until they can love themselves. There is hope and anyone can recover. It’s not easy, but it is possible.”—Brian, HeroesInRecovery.com

You may still be wondering if treatment is really necessary. An assessment by an unbiased professional can be a great way to understand your needs. In some cases, these can even be done by phone. Staff can also assess whether your current level of care is sufficient or you need to seek a higher level of care. They can also check your insurance info to confirm what will be covered, set up transportation to treatment and answer other questions you have about the process. The goal of recovery is to set you on a path of holistic health including physical health, at home, your purpose and your community, and when you look at recovery in those terms, it may seem less overwhelming and more appealing.1

Admissions counselor talking to woman

Removing the Mystery Surrounding Treatment

Even with all that help, you may still be feeling unsure when you arrive at treatment. What’s going to happen first? How does the program work? It’s perfectly natural to be a little nervous, but there’s nothing mysterious about the process. Everyone admitted to a treatment program starts out at admissions. Routines vary from program to program, but it’s typical to meet with an intake specialist for an assessment to determine the complete range of issues you’re facing. While you may have sought treatment for an addiction to one substance, there may be other secondary substances that are contributing to the problem. There may also be underlying mental health issues—from trauma or anxiety to depression or PTSD—that have gone undiagnosed. An honest account of what you’ve been using and to what extent can also help determine if detox is needed or what types of medication may be necessary to help you through the initial stages of withdrawal.

Information Gathering With a Higher Purpose

The goal of any worthwhile assessment is to determine what is going on with an individual and to formulate a plan for treating those issues and achieving overall health. In order for the staff to create a program that will address your individualized needs, it’s important to be transparent. The patient specialists do not need to know every detail of your history, but you do need to answer each question accurately. However, each member of our team is caring and compassionate and will listen to your story without judgment. Their goal is to simply gather information for a higher purpose. It is understandable to have trouble trusting people to accept you where you are if you have felt ostracized by loved ones because of your addiction; however, we want to work with you to restore those relationships beginning with honest conversation with one another.

A Healthy Outlook

In treatment, no one is interested in judging your past. We’re eager to help you create a positive plan for your future.

Remember, a high percentage of treatment staff has been right where you’re sitting, and professionals who don’t have a personal history of addiction often come from a family of origin where addiction was present. There is nothing you can tell them that will cause them to not care for you,and by being straightforward, it helps staff to get to the root of how to help you as quickly as possible.

It’s never too early to evaluate your own treatment goals. You’re going to be working hard dealing with issues you have not battled before. Therefore, the beginning is a great time to assess your goals and any concerns you may have with moving forward in your health.2 As you begin thinking about what you want to get out treatment, you’ll be able to help shape your treatment plan and track your progress.

Confidentiality Is Key

The OaksWhen you turn to a treatment provider for help, that’s a sacred trust, and you should feel that they are committed to doing all they can to assist you in finding the help you need and leading you to the path of recovery. The information you provide is also completely confidential. They won’t share anything you tell them with family members or friends without your explicit consent. To reach out in a time of need can make someone feel extremely vulnerable, so you need to know that your interests are being protected.

Battling an addiction often leaves a person weak and exhausted. Keeping the problem from others can become a full-time job, and physical and emotional health usually takes a backseat to substance abuse. While admitting there is an issue and seeking treatment is scary, it can also be a relief to come clean and ask for help.

If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction or a co-occurring disorder, call us today at our toll-free helpline. You are worth it, and we want to help. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can provide information on treatment programs, help with insurance and answer questions about the treatment process.


1 “SAMHSA’s Working Definition of Recovery Updated.” SAMHSA. 23 March 2012. Web. Accessed 24 July 2017.

2 Susman D. “How to Set Achievable Personal Recovery Goals.” Psychology Today. 2017. Web. Accessed 24 July 2017.

 

 

Articles posted here are primarily educational and may not directly reflect the offerings at The Oaks. For more specific information on programs at The Oaks, contact us today.