TIPS

Some tips for orienting people that are seeking professional help.

1. Ask for references. Inform yourself with a trust worthy doctor about the place you are thinking of committing your child. Also seek other professionals from the area and gather more information. Patient references that have already been treated at the place can also help, as long as they have not been indicated by the hospital or clinic itself- if the treatment isn't serious, nothing will prevent a show from being performed to convince friends and addicts of the efficiency of the treatment.

2. Find out about the details of the treatment. Commitment time, type of medication, physical activities, occupational therapies, clinical assistance, number of weekly sessions and duration, group therapy, etc..

3. Visit the location. Look at the rooms, bathrooms, cafeterias, courts, patios, nurses’ office, TV room and everything else there is to see. Verify the hygiene and the spirit of the patients and employees. If this is denied, realize an effective change of clinic or hospital. This is not only your right as a family member, but also a right as a consumer.

4. Make regular visits. Receiving family members is fundamental for the addict’s rehabilitation process. However, some forms of treatments believe that these visits should not be immediate so that the patient can adapt better. This argument is understandable is this period is equal to or less than 15 days. If not, not matter how convincing the allegations may be (visitations may be bad for the treatment; the patient may become extremely violent from one moment to the next, he might beg the family to give him some medication, drug, etc.) demand to see him, and, if the denial persists, remove him from the clinic or hospital.

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