When someone is considering entering a addiction treatment center there are a number of different aspects of the facility to think about. A potential patient might want to make sure that there are enough staff members to cater to each person in the program and that they offer the kinds of amenities they are looking for. One of the most important things to consider though is whether the treatment center feels safe and secure.
People in recovery need to feel safe so that they can experience enough comfort to focus on healing. You might think that people with addictions don’t care much about their own welfare but the reality is that they are very vulnerable in this time and need to feel at home. Some facilities focus more on safety and security than others so it is a good idea to look at their standards regarding patient safety and health.
A patient’s idea of what feels safe to them can vary but mainly it involves feeling free from harm and don’t have to worry about triggers. One of the major reasons people choose inpatient treatment is because they want to be away from any possible temptation. A facility that is very strict about keeping drugs out of the treatment center will be safer for every patient.
The following are some of the most important safety measures to consider when selecting a treatment center:
- Ensure the safety of patients
- Providing a therapeutic environment
- Adherence to regulations and compliance
- Protect the confidentiality and privacy of patients
- Taking steps to prevent self-harm
- Be prepared for emergency situations
- Educational and training programs
- Guidelines for preventing relapses
- Prevent unauthorized access to the facility
- Follow all safety precautions strictly
What Makes a Drug Rehab Center Safe?
There are a few things that you should look for in your treatment center to make sure that is safe and completely free from triggers.
Medical Assisted Detox Facility: Safety can mean different things but a facility should be equipped and responsible for the health of their patients. That means having medically assisted detox and doctors available should there be any sort of health issue related to withdrawal.
Ask your treatment facility about their staff members and their medical background to make sure that they are capable of handling any health issues that should arise. Drug use can cause unexpected health problems to come up and having trained staff on hand can ensure each patient’s safety. You will want to be comfortable and content knowing that if something should happen you will be okay.
Drug/Substance Free Environment: Another issue related to physical health is the facility’s ability to prevent any triggers or drug use from occurring in the treatment center. Some patients may find ways to sneak in substances and it is crucial that the program does routine room checks and searches to quickly find and remove any possible drugs. Each patient needs to be completely free from temptation or the possibility of drug use.
Prevention of Self Harm:Staff also need to be aware of any patient’s tendency to self-harm or engage in destructive behavior. The drug treatment center needs to be able to prevent and remove any dangerous items like razor blades or other objects that could be used for self-harm or for harming someone else. Patients need to feel that there are no environmental dangers that pose a threat to their own safety or everyone else’s.
Some of the core advantages of safety and security in treatment centers:
Ensuring Patient Safety:
It is essential that patients feel safe and secure during their treatment. It is likely that the patient becomes vulnerable during the detox process and faces physical and mental challenges. Those treatment centers that are concerned about patient safety ensure that their patients are protected from self-harm, as well as meeting their physical and emotional needs.
Patient confidentiality:
For many patients protecting their privacy is very crucial and it’s their right to keep their medical history confidential. You can be sure that your privacy is protected in the treatment center which guarantees patient safety and security.
Prevent unauthorized entry:
The treatment center is responsible for preventing unauthorized entry. In doing so, they can prevent the entry of illegal drugs, ensure patients’ safety, protect their privacy, prevent theft, control damage, and, most importantly, comply with government regulations.
Emergency Assistance:
When patients require emergency assistance, their support staff is always available to assist them. Whenever a natural calamity or medical emergency occurs, they have support systems in place that respond very quickly and keep the situation under control.
Tools for Safety at a Facility
Some things to look for in making sure that a facility feels safe can be certain equipment, rules, guidelines and contracts that the patients sign. It is a good indication of the safety of a treatment program if they ask you to read and sign a contract with rules regarding items you can bring in and patient conduct while staying there. Patients that don’t adhere to these rules should face some type of consequences to ensure that everyone follows the regulations of the facility.
An alcohol rehab facility should also have a built-in security system that prevents any substances from entering the program. They will need to have locking systems and security devices that make it difficult to enter and leave without being seen. Video cameras should be used in all common areas so that staff is aware of patient activities and any possible breach of the contract.
It is also crucial for each treatment center to have security guards and staff that are able to break up any physical conflict that occurs between patients. Security guards and physically imposing staff can help keep order and help patients feel safe in case there should be any arguments or fights in the facility. These and other staff members should also do regular personal searches on patients in addition to room searches.
There are a lot of things to think about when it comes to treatment center safety and security. As long as you feel that a program as proper rules in place and enough equipment and staff to make you feel secure then it might be a good fit for you. When you feel safe and secure in your environment you are likely to be much more successful in your recovery efforts.
