It’s one thing to decide you need help in dealing with your addiction. It’s quite another to take the first step in that process. So, it is not surprising that so many people are hesitant about calling a rehab treatment center when they need help. A big part of the fear is the unknown. Not knowing what to expect can raise stress levels, cause anxiety, and even stop people from taking the necessary steps towards resolving their addiction.

What follows is what you can expect along with what you need to know when calling a rehab treatment center. This will help you make the best-informed decision about what to do.

Who Answers the Call?

You will first speak to when calling a rehab receptionist who will transfer the call to an admissions or intake specialist. On occasions the admissions specialist will answer the call directly. Keep in mind that while the specialist is here to help, they are also trying to build business for their company. This is especially true if you called a hotline that refers a treatment center for a fee.

So, while most intake specialists have ethical standards, keep in mind that the information they provide to you will be biased towards getting you to their treatment center. To help overcome the bias, you will need to answer their assessment questions and ask a few of your own.

Initial Assessment When Calling a Rehab

This is not a check-in assessment which is much more in-depth. This is an initial assessment that determines the type of care that you may receive, what issues may complicate coming to the facility, and any other information that determines what program you will experience.

In other words, the type of addiction you have will determine the type of treatment program you will experience. If your addiction falls outside of the programs available at the treatment center, then you should be referred to another center that specializes in the treatment that you need.

A few questions that you should ask include details of the treatment that will be performed, the facilities that are at the center, and what additional therapies may be available. You are trying to find the best match in terms of your needs and what the center provides.

Assessment Questions When Calling a Rehab

Each residential treatment center asks its own version of basically the same questions. This includes age, location, race, gender, religion, medical history, family history, and substance misuse history. Once you are through answering their questions, you should as a few of your own which includes the following.

Cost: Each center has its own costs which are normally covered by insurance. However, there are out of pocket costs and some centers may not take certain types of insurance. So, be clear on what you have to pay before proceeding.

Waiting List: How long will you have to wait before getting in for the treatment that you need?

Core Program: What is the core program used which the treatments will be based. This is important to discover which you may be comfortable with.

From that information, you should determine which facility is right for you. That’s why it is best to be prepared when calling a rehab treatment center.

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