Tips on your search for substance abuse treatment providers

Photo: Stanislav Butygin

Whether an individual has decided to seek substance abuse treatment or is otherwise compelled to do so, this report offers some tips on the search for competent substance abuse treatment.        

In the larger populated areas of Nevada there generally are multiple organizations offering treatment services that one can choose from.  On the other hand, treatment in the rural areas is either limited or non-existent.  Regardless, anyone seeking substance abuse treatment should ask some questions of the treatment provider.

Inquire about the counselor's credentials.  Ask about their experience and education. Nevada requires that a certified counselor possess a bachelor degree in an approved field as well as have met supervised experience hours, passed a national exam and a state oral board.  A licensed counselor must have a masters degree, the supervised experience hours, passed an advanced national exam and the state oral board.  A certified intern can be anywhere on the continuum towards certification.  They must be clinically supervised, preferably with an on-site supervisor.  Counselor interns with minimal experience and education should not be conducting counseling services primarily solo.  Ask about meeting the supervisor; if that request can't be met, red flags should be going up.

Inquire about the clinic's state certification to provide treatment services.  The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency certifies substance abuse treatment organizations to operate in Nevada.  Unless the clinic is a new startup, the better clinics will have been granted a two year certification.  If the certification period is less than two years, the clinic did not fare well in their last audit.

There is no guarantee that a treatment provider passing muster on these issues equates to competent treatment but these tips can assist one in being a discerning consumer.