NIAAA unveils Alcohol Treatment Navigator

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health, unveiled a new online resource to help people recognize alcohol abuse and get the quality care they need and deserve.

Alcohol use disorder affects more than 15 million adults in the United States, and yet, less than 10 percent of diagnosed individuals receive treatment or the type of care that best fits their needs, according to NIAAA. “A big reason for that, we believe, is that people with alcohol use disorder often don’t know where to turn for help,” said NIAAA Director George F. Koob, PhD, in a statement. “The Alcohol Treatment Navigator offers a comprehensive strategy to help people search for professionally-led, evidence-based alcohol treatment, which should improve their chances for success.”

The Alcohol Treatment Navigator includes:

• An overview of alcohol use disorder
• A description of different kinds of professionally-led treatment options
• Step-by-step instructions for searching several existing online directories of treatment providers
• Ten questions to ask a provider, and 5 signs of quality to listen for
• A downloadable toolkit to help organize and simplify the search process

10 Questions to Ask a Potential RehabOne of the many valuable tools on the site is its worksheet of “10 Questions to Ask Alcohol Treatment Programs.” These questions are designed to help you or someone you love verify any information found on the Internet and to give you a clear picture of the program’s approach to alcohol addiction treatment. “Pay attention to the way the program staff interact with you and how you feel when you are talking to them,” notes NIAA. “If staff provide complete answers to your questions, take time to understand your situation, and demonstrate a concern for you, thatʹs a good sign!”

1. Can you tell me about your treatment approach? What levels of care and other services do you offer?
2. How do you decide what a personʹs treatment plan will include? Do you start with a complete assessment and diagnosis?
3. What arrangements do you have to address other medical or mental health issues while someone is in treatment?
4. Are you able to arrange for someone to prescribe a medication to treat alcohol use disorder if it is appropriate?
5. Is the treatment program licensed and accredited? Can you tell me about the qualifications of your counseling staff?
6. What do you expect of your patients and their families during treatment?
7. What do you do if a patient has a relapse while in treatment?
8. What about after treatment? Are there ongoing recovery support services available?
9. Can you help me estimate the cost of treatment? Will insurance cover these costs?
10. If you turn out to be the best option, how soon could treatment begin?

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