Guide in Choosing a Rehab Center in the Philippines

Having trouble deciding which rehab center in the Philippines suits you or your love ones condition? Here are some tips.

You suspect that one of your family members are suffering from addiction problems, and upon having him or her sent to one of the DOH-accredited drug testing facilities, you find out that your worst fears have materialized – one of the people closest to you is an addict. The physician recommends that the person be sent to a rehabilitation center, but you have some doubts on whether or not the rehabilitation treatment would be effective. You are a bit baffled on what are the steps you should do in choosing an effective rehab program for him. How do you know which rehab center gives the best treatment? And how can you tell if it is appropriate to the drug dependent’s level of addiction?

Rehabilitation centers in the Philippines all follow a specific guideline in order to operate with accreditation, but their programs and methods of treatments may vary in many ways. All of them, however, follow a sequence of detoxification and rehabilitation, which enables the victim to be comfortable throughout the treatment.

In choosing the right rehab center to treat a person’s addiction issue, one must always keep in mind that the goal of getting someone rehabilitated is not just so they could overcome their addiction temporarily, but to completely turn away from the things that they used to be addicted to and at the same time start afresh without having to live with guilt and condemnation. It is vital for a drug dependent’s recovery to walk into a whole new world once he leaves the rehab center. These guidelines will help you choose the right rehab center for you or for your loved ones:

1. The Detoxification and Rehabilitation Programs

The first thing that you should research about a rehab center is the programs that they employ to treat addiction cases. Each rehab center has their own method of treatment, even though many of them follow the same system. One treatment program may work for a particular person, but may not be effective for another. Addiction level differs for each patient, requiring different solutions.

A person with psychiatric disorders as a result of extreme drug abuse will need a different detoxification and rehabilitation approach from a person with mild symptoms. The duration of the program is also considered in choosing a rehab center as there are patients who requires longer treatment than others.

Why when sending someone to a rehab center, you must first understand the kind of needs that the victim has – physiologically, psychologically, and emotionally. A good rehab center would also focus on a person’s spiritual needs, as most Filipinos’ mindsets are directly affected by their spiritual beliefs. It is also essential that the program incorporates a lot of family therapy sessions, as the addiction victim feels more comfortable when in the company of his or her family.

2. The Period Between Detoxification and Rehabilitation

You should also consider the length of time it takes for an addiction victim to undergo rehabilitation once he/she finishes detoxification. Most experts agree that the sooner rehabilitation starts after detoxification, the better. This way, the potential of the victim falling in drug relapse is minimized, and the chances of getting him or her to turn away from the addictive substances becomes greater.

3. Facilities and Equipment Used By the Rehab Center

Facilities and equipment are also important, as they provide a comfortable and enjoyable environment for an addiction victim, thus making his or her rehabilitation more effective. Accredited rehab centers normally have arts and recreational facilities, chapels, comfortable rooms, clean dining halls and classrooms. These are the things that you should look for when being toured inside of a rehab center. You should find certifications and permits displayed somewhere public, which ensures you that the rehab center has undergone numerous testing and has been accredited to operate properly. The center should also be secured and should not put any patient from any harm or risk.

If the rehab caters male and female patients, it should have a separate dormitory or with separate comfort rooms.

4. The Staff – From the Psychiatrist to the Nurses

Finally, when you have time, talk to the staff. The psychiatrist is one of the most important factors in an addiction victims’ treatment, as he or she is the one that guides the victim all throughout his or her rehabilitation. It is not enough for the psychiatrist to simply be certified; have small talk with the psychiatrist so that you will find out whether his or her personality and methods would effectively help the addiction victim. Medical staff should also have certification in addiction medicine, and they should be available 24/7. The rehab should provide the patient a secured facility and environment and staff members that are dedicated and each has the comprehensive professional knowledge in dealing with addiction.

5. Aftercare Programs and Continuous Monitoring

It is not the end of the person's journey after his release from inpatient rehabilitation programs. Support from the family members is extremely needed for the patient who just came out from the rehab. It cannot be denied that the person after rehab has all the apprehension and anxiety of what problems he has to face outside the rehab.

When a person goes back home from rehab, he finds himself vulnerable to the outside environment in the absence of supportive people inside the rehab. He is prone to backslide to the old world where he came from. He may be back to socializing again with old acquaintances where alcohol and prohibited drugs are offered once again to him with no hesitation. There are lots of temptations for this person to relapse.

Rehabilitation is one of the most effective means of treating addiction cases, but each addiction victim has his or her own needs and personalities that will need to be specifically attended to. Choosing the right rehab center will not only help speed up the rehabilitation, but it will also ensure a more effective and permanent solution for the victim.