Free Checklist
40 Questions to Ask
Before You Commit
Pick a center the way you'd pick a surgeon. Print this, take it on every call, and don't apologize for asking.
Licensing & Accreditation
These are the floor, not the ceiling. A facility that fails any of these is a hard pass.
- Are you state-licensed? Can you give me your license number?
- Are you accredited by JCAHO (The Joint Commission) or CARF? What year were you last surveyed?
- Do any staff members have active complaints with the state licensing board?
- Can I verify your accreditation independently online before I commit?
Treatment Approach
- What clinical model do you use (12-step, CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed, MAT)?
- How is the treatment plan personalized — or is it the same for everyone?
- Do you treat co-occurring mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar)?
- Do you offer or support medication-assisted treatment (Suboxone, Vivitrol, methadone)? If not, why?
- How often will I have one-on-one therapy with a licensed clinician?
- What does a typical day look like? Can I see a sample schedule?
Staff & Medical
- Is a medical doctor on staff? On-site or on-call? How quickly can I see one?
- Are nurses on-site 24/7 — or only during business hours?
- What credentials do the counselors hold (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LADC, peer recovery specialist)?
- What is the staff-to-patient ratio?
- Will I see the same therapist for my whole stay, or rotate?
Cost & Insurance
If they refuse to give you a number, that is a number.
- What is the all-in cost for a typical stay at my level of care?
- What is included? What costs extra (medications, lab work, transportation, family therapy)?
- Do you accept my insurance? In-network or out-of-network?
- What will I likely owe out of pocket after insurance?
- Do you offer sliding scale, scholarships, or payment plans?
- If I leave early, what is the refund policy in writing?
Detox & Safety
- Do you provide medically supervised detox on-site, or refer out?
- How do you handle severe withdrawal (alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids)?
- What is your protocol if I have a medical emergency at 2am?
- How do you screen for and prevent contraband?
Family & Communication
- Can my family contact me? How often? When?
- Do you offer family therapy or family education sessions?
- Will my family be updated on my progress (with my consent)?
- Are visits allowed? How are they structured?
Aftercare
The 30 days after discharge are when most relapses happen. A center without a real aftercare plan is selling you a vacation.
- What does your discharge plan look like — is it a real plan or a printout?
- Do you connect me with outpatient therapy, sober living, and peer support before I leave?
- Do you offer alumni programs or check-ins?
- What is your relapse policy if I come back?
Red Flags — Walk Away If You Hear These
- Pressure to admit today, before insurance is verified.
- Refusal to put pricing in writing.
- Promises of a "guaranteed cure" or "100% success rate" — recovery is not a guarantee.
- Vague answers about staff credentials or accreditation.
- Asks you to sign a contract that prevents you from leaving against medical advice.
- Offers to fly you across the country and pay for the flight (patient brokering — federally illegal).
- Won't give you a tour, even virtually.
Don't want to make these calls alone?
Our specialists ask these questions every day. They can shortlist 2–3 verified centers that fit your situation, run insurance, and stay on the line while you ask. Free, no signature.
Informational only, not medical advice. Always verify a facility's licensing and accreditation independently with your state and with The Joint Commission or CARF.