What Are Signs You Can Trust a Treatment Center?

After struggling with the challenges that addiction may bring, deciding to seek out help is a significant decision that will alter the rest of your life. However, it is not enough to simply say you want to get better. You need to actively seek out the best options for your healing and recovery. This should start by searching for the right treatment program for you. The program you choose should be accredited with the proper licensure and a good fit for you. It should also be reliable, trustworthy, and have credible reviews that show it truly helps its clients get sober and maintain sobriety long-term. 

A Variety of Specialities

When you begin researching various treatment facilities, you will notice that some treat certain addictions while others treat different addictions. When looking at facilities, make sure that they are highly rated in addiction treatment, often including medical detox programs and various treatment programs such as residential, day treatment, intensive outpatient, and outpatient. This way, you can ensure the facility is top-rated in this area and provides top-notch programs needed for those struggling with addiction.

Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment

Many individuals that struggle with addiction may be coping with underlying mental health issues as well. It is crucial to make sure the facility you are considering also treats co-occurring disorders. It is not enough to treat the physical aspects of addiction. Without uncovering the root of the problem and learning proper coping mechanisms for certain mental health disorders, you are more likely to relapse and return to treatment in the future. Being treated for addiction and a co-occurring disorder is more likely to set you up for success in long term recovery.

An Individualized Program

No two experiences in addiction are alike, just as no two recovery journeys are alike. For this reason, it is essential that the facility you are looking at offers truly personalized treatment that fits your needs. This way, you will be set up for success on your terms and have your needs met to facilitate healing.

Treatment Modalities

Many of the top-rated facilities that treat addiction have a combination of traditional and experiential treatment modalities. This can include a mix of therapies, health and wellness, drug and alcohol testing, and more. All of these should be evidence-based to ensure client success when undergoing treatment. 

Types of Therapy Offered

Treatment centers for addiction should have various therapies available that will fit the needs of different individuals. There are many types of therapies that you may experience while in treatment to ensure you heal completely, and the facility should have a wide selection of options. These therapy sessions should be one-on-one and group settings to allow proper spaces for sharing and learning. Some types of therapy you should look for are:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy
  • Holistic therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Somatic therapy

Exercise and Nutrition

Recovery is not all about therapy. Learning necessary life skills, such as exercise and nutrition, will boost your recovery significantly. These will help your body heal physically after years of abuse and improve your overall mental health as you fuel yourself with necessary vitamins and minerals. Any highly rated treatment facility should have an extensive exercise and nutrition program to help clients feel good naturally and find further healing.

Aftercare is Included

Recovery does not end when you leave a treatment facility. You will spend the rest of your life fighting to stay sober from drugs and alcohol. A trustworthy and credible treatment facility should include an aftercare plan in its program. This should consist of outpatient care or sober living to help you transition from treatment back into everyday life. Make sure the program includes this or can help you make the arrangements once you leave their facility.

What to Stay Away From

Just as it is essential to know what to look for in a treatment facility for addiction, you should also know the red flags of the facilities to stay away from. Going to the wrong facility can do more harm than good, often causing you to relapse and need further treatment in the future. Take these with a grain of salt, as they do not necessarily indicate a bad treatment center. However, if a treatment center has any of these, it should be researched further:

  • Not responsive. If a facility is not getting back to you to answer questions, it is most likely not a good fit. Top facilities will get back to you promptly.
  • Offering a cure. While a cure for addiction would be nice, it doesn’t exist. Healing from addiction requires ongoing treatment. 
  • Rapid detox. Rapid detox is dangerous and can lead to further consequences. Make sure the facility takes its time with detox to ensure proper healing.
  • A guarantee. While it would be reassuring to know you will be 100% successful at a facility, there is simply no way of knowing. A facility should encourage success in recovery.


At Northstar Transitions, we understand that deciding to get help for addiction is a daunting and significant step in your life. For this reason, we want to make the recovery process more straightforward. By offering evidence-based clinical practices, various treatment modalities, and having expert staff on our team, we know we can help you find healing and happiness in your newfound sobriety. Many treatment centers make false promises and show flashy pictures. However, at Northstar Transitions, we have worked exceptionally hard to ensure our clients are set up for long term recovery even after they leave us. We have succeeded in taking a client out of their element, resulting in authentic healing interactions. If you are unsure where to start looking for a treatment facility, give us a call today at (303) 558-6400. We can answer any questions you may have and help you find what works best for you and your family. Join our community and find your happiness in recovery today.


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