Q&As FOR THERAPISTS WITH ADDICTION SPECIALTIES
Below you’ll find 10 recommended questions to ask therapists who have a specialty in addiction. We also offer “best case” answers to listen for. These Q&As will help you find a provider with signs of higher-quality care that is a good fit for your situation.
When you call a therapist, you may wish use the 10 Questions worksheet [PDF - 201 KB] in the Toolkit. It can help you keep track of the questions and capture the answers.
1. Availability: Are you accepting new patients? We’re exploring several options, and if we choose you, how soon could treatment begin?
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2. Costs and insurance: Can you help me estimate the cost of treatment? Will insurance cover these costs?
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3. Credentials: I found your name in a directory of therapists who treat alcohol and drug addiction. Can you tell me briefly your background and your credentials?
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4. Full assessment and personalized plan: Will you start with a complete assessment and diagnosis? What does that involve?
what-is-your-treatment-approach-for-aud
5. Treatment approach: Can you tell me about your treatment approach for people with alcohol problems?
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6. Medication-assisted treatment: Do you refer patients to physicians for medication assisted treatment? In what situations would you do so?
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7. Support for other mental health and medical issues: If there are other mental health or medical problems, how do you help clients address them?
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8. Expectations: What do you expect of your patients and their families during treatment?
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9. Managing relapse: What do you do if a patient has a relapse while in treatment?
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10. Recovery support: What about after the course of therapy? Are ongoing recovery support services available?
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Additional tips
Treat this process just like you would approach any other health care decision. Do your research, ask questions, and use your best judgment. See Step 3—Choose quality care for suggestions on putting all the pieces together.