Why Accreditation Matters when Choosing a Drug Rehab Facility

If you or any of your loved ones are seeking treatment for a substance use disorder, you might see hundreds of online ads that promise miracle results. How do you know when a treatment center is reputable?

Media stories about fraud in Florida drug rehab facilities abound, so this is an important decision. With so many options for addiction treatment, you can narrow the choices by looking at facilities that are fully accredited.

What Is Accreditation?

In addition to fulfilling state licensing requirements, many addiction and mental health treatment programs also undergo the process of accreditation. Accreditation for a rehab facility means that the program has participated in a lengthy evaluation process to prove that it meets certain standards in therapy practices and client care.

When a rehab facility seeks accreditation, an industry-respected third-party accrediting body will evaluate the facility, staff and processes in place. Once approved, the treatment center will earn a seal of recognition and accreditation from a respected organization in mental health and addiction treatment.

Major Accrediting Bodies

Two of the nation’s largest rehab accrediting bodies are the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO. A majority of treatment programs that seek accreditation do so from one of these two organizations. According to the latest National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, more than half of reporting rehab facilities did not seek accreditation from these agencies, instead relying only on state licensing boards for regulation.

CARF is a nonprofit accrediting body for addiction treatment facilities. The organization accredits a variety of programs, including youth and community programs, addiction case management, residential programs, respite services and numerous mental health programs. The Joint Commission is the country’s largest accrediting body for medical facilities and hospitals. In addition to rehab facilities, it accredits physicians’ practices, home health care providers, hospitals, nursing facilities and mental health treatment facilities.

The Benefits of Choosing a Fully Accredited Florida Drug Rehab

Facilities that meet the requirements of accreditation have demonstrated that they are committed to being among the best addiction treatment programs available. Some of the benefits of choosing an accredited Florida drug rehab include:

• Safe, therapeutic environment
  • An accredited facility has proven that it has a strong commitment to patient safety and the provision of services that will help foster recovery.
• Insurance reimbursement
  • Often, third-party payers such as the government and private insurance companies will insist that a rehab program is accredited for service reimbursement.
• Commitment to care
  • Accreditation confirms that all aspects of a program meet quality standards beyond what state or local regulations require.

When you or a loved one arrive at an accredited Florida treatment facility, you should have a sense of confidence that the program treats its clients with dignity and respect. Since accredited programs are held to a higher standard of care than most state licensing rules, you will find that these facilities use thoughtful personalized programming combined with evidence-based practices.

Accredited by The Joint Commission, Orlando Recovery Center offers comprehensive Florida addiction treatment resources for those experiencing a substance use disorder. Contact Orlando Recovery Center now to learn more about our programs and discuss your options for admissions.