At Villa Kali Ma, we have an opinion about what creates the ideal environment for women’s recovery. Our programs reflect our experience-validated approach of combining clinical and holistic modalities to help women address traumatization and mental illness alongside substance use.
But every woman is different, financials are a factor for most people in this world, and addiction is a tricky beast, so we understand that each person must find their own right environment. In this post, we will share our thoughts on how to navigate the landscape of available options.
Choosing an Addiction Treatment Center
A treatment environment needs to be a safe, professional space in which the healing process can take place with maximal support and minimal interference from non-therapeutic factors. For that to be so, the integrity and quality of services provided must be high.
No treatment environment is perfect. The most well-trained, experienced professionals on the planet are human beings, too. All humans have wounds and blind spots. In all healing environments, relational patterns play out in a way that may feel far from what we would wish for, speaking both from the client role and the provider position. Healing takes place in the unscripted terrain of human relationships, no matter how you slice it.
Acknowledging that caveat, a treatment environment has the responsibility to maintain a high standard of ethics. This is achieved and maintained through rigorous training, ongoing education, certification, and a culture of continuous improvement. There are standards and best practices that help facilities maintain a clean, healthy culture, in which staff and clients are supported to bring out their best.
One unfortunate side effect of the opioid crisis and the rising demand for treatment has been the development of a more profit-minded interest in the business of running a rehabilitation facility. An overly financial motivation can cloud the high standard of ethics and psychological support for staff that is required to operate a professional treatment facility. Be on the lookout for the possibility of a shady business, as some unfortunately do exist.
Do your own research. Visit the facility, meet the staff, and sense into whether this is going to be a safe and productive healing environment for you. Recovery can take many shapes and forms, so be as empowered as possible when finding the right setting for you.
Here are some key considerations, and areas of potential red flags, to think about.
Accreditation, Licensing and Certifications
Three quality seals can help you distinguish whether a facility merits consideration: accreditation, licensing, and certification.
The Joint Commission (https://www.jointcommission.org/) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (https://carf.org/) are two independent, not for profit organizations that offer accreditation for rehabilitation facilities.
Though not a guarantee, some safeguards are in place if a facility has been granted accreditation by either or both of these organizations. CARF and the Joint Commission grant accreditation based on standardized measurements requiring demonstrations of effectiveness, quality, and value.
In addition to accreditation, look for state licensure. Licensure is a separate process and a minimum requirement to ensure that a facility operates legally.
Finally, when looking for rehabilitation facilities online, look for certification through a third party provider called LegitScript, a consumer-protection channel that prevents fraudulent advertising.
Clinical Staff Credentials and Licenses
Check for licenses and credentials that guarantee staff have been appropriately educated and certified.
Clinical staff, such as therapists, psychologists, and social workers, are required to be licensed by a state board (or else working towards licensure under the supervision of a licensed clinician). In addition to clinical staff, there are other kinds of treatment specialists and support staff, with a variety of types of accreditation.
There are many wise, compassionate people working in addictions facilities who can help you even though they have not had the privilege of extensive formal education, so use your discernment and common sense when looking at the staff page.
Multidisciplinary Treatment Team
Addiction is best treated with a multidisciplinary approach, through several different kinds of services. Support should be provided not only by clinicians (social workers, therapists, psychologists, counselors, and so on) but also by nutritionists, bodyworkers, yoga teachers, art therapists, activities facilitators, and so on.
Look for a multi-disciplinary team, that will be able to address many facets of your recovery process simultaneously. This way you will get the most out of your stay, planting many seeds that can sprout and take greater root later on when you’re on your own again.
Use of Evidence-based Practices
A good rehabilitation facility will have a strong core treatment team made up of clinical professionals specialized in the methods known to be most effective with addiction. Look for modalities like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Family Therapy, and Trauma-Informed therapies.
You may not know that experiential therapies, such as expressive arts therapy, nature-based therapies, and other action-oriented (versus talking based) groups and therapies are considered best practices for treating addiction. If a facility offers many different kinds of activities and experiences, this is a good sign. For a list of best practices in addiction treatment, read here (https://www.naatp.org/addiction-treatment-resources/treatment-methods).
Mental Health Services
Many, but not all, treatment facilities address co-occurring mental health disorders. It is generally most effective for women to work on mental health symptoms together with stopping addictive behavior.
This is so that palpable relief from painful thoughts and emotions happens simultaneously with achieving sobriety. Some facilities are specifically equipped to address traumatization in its own right, as is the case with Villa Kali Ma.
Treatment Success Rate/Outcomes
If a facility claims a success rate, check for data or metrics shared that supports this claim. Addiction outcome studies are long range endeavors, and recovery is a challenging field. In general, be aware of a salesy tone; there is nothing in this world that makes recovery easy, only easier.
Insurance
Make sure that the rehabilitation you’re considering will be most affordable for you by looking for a facility that’s in-network with your insurance.
Medical Detox or Medication-assisted Therapies
For some substances, it is necessary for your own safety to undergo medically supervised detoxification before you will be able to start participating in treatment programming. Some facilities have medically supervised detoxification services on site (or close by), and some will require that you detox in the hospital or an unaffiliated outpatient clinic before you can begin. It can be nice to just enter treatment without having to take that separate step, so a facility that offers medically supervised detoxification as a part of the program can be an advantage.
Specialized Programs
At Villa Kali Ma, we are big believers in gender-specific care, which is why we offer a facility specifically for women. Gender-specific care is one example of a specialized program, tailored to a segment of the population. Depending on your situation, it may be smart to look for a rehabilitation environment tailored to your experience.
Rehab Program Length
Addiction recovery is not the same for everyone. Some people need more time, and some people move more quickly through a program, for a variety of reasons. There is no way to know in advance for certain. Estimates can be made based on the severity of your condition or the complexity of issues that need to be addressed, but how your recovery unfolds necessarily remains to be seen. Anywhere from one month to six months are common lengths of stay.
Good rehabilitation facilities typically suggest a minimum of thirty days of high intensity treatment, with extensions possible if needed. The higher intensity phase should be followed by a gradual lessening of intensity and frequency of services. Look for a “stepping down” program such as Intensive Outpatient following Inpatient, and/or an aftercare program.
Post-treatment Recovery Support
Although addiction treatment is where most people get the seed of their recovery firmly planted, it is always necessary to follow treatment up with several months or years, of ongoing support.
There is a long transitional phase that follows treatment during which people require support to stay sober, so you may want to look out for what kind of post-treatment support is offered by the facility, once you graduate.
Family Support
People who engage in family therapy work with even just one or two positive family members have a significantly higher chance of stabilizing their sobriety than people who are isolated without family support. Therefore, look for a rehabilitation facility that offers family therapy, family education programs, and other ways to involve your loved ones in your treatment.
The Test of Time
You may want to consider how long a treatment facility has been in operation. A rehabilitation that has just opened its doors may be struggling to gain its footing still, while others have more years of experience under their belt.
What Else Should I Know?
You may want to write up a checklist, of personal topics that would matter to you. Depending on your needs, here are some considerations:
-What is the healing philosophy of this facility? What methods and modalities do they rely on?
-Where is the facility? Close to home or far?
-If far, is the location desirable to me?
-What is the facility like? What kind of environment?
-What kind of climate? Does it have access to nature, a garden, or another kind of setting that’s appealing to me?
-What kinds of activities will I be able to participate in, outside of treatment hours?
-What do reviews say?
-Do I like what they say about themselves on the website?
-Do I like the faces and the bios of the treatment team? Do they seem kind, safe and knowledgeable to me?
-Do I like or resonate with the way they talk about addiction, struggles, and recovery?
The programs Villa Kali Ma offers
At Villa Kali Ma, we offer programs that reflect our experiences with what really works most powerfully to help women recover from addiction, mental health disorders, and trauma. Our approach rests on healing modalities that address the role of the body (exercise, nutrition, yoga, acupuncture, somatic therapies and bodywork), as well as the best known clinical methodologies for changing deep patterns of mind and emotion. We are equipped to address traumatization through a variety of trauma therapies. Finally, we acknowledge the unique spirit of each woman, providing chances for healing experiences with nature, creativity, mindfulness, and connection in community.
