You can obtain referrals to residential treatment facilities in your area by calling the U.S. government’s alcoholism/addiction hotline at 1-(800)-729-6686. This opens your search for a residential treatment facility to those operating locally rather than just the larger national nonprofit organizations that operate residential treatment facilities throughout the nation but may not have one near you.

Hundreds of residential treatment facilities are sponsored locally and adapted to meet local needs. 400 residential treatment facilities throughout the United States and Canada are members of the Therapeutic Communities of America (TCA). Look for this designation as a seal of approval when choosing a residential treatment facility for treatment of alcoholism or drug addiction.

If you happen to locate a residential treatment facility through a different source than those we’ve covered just be certain that its primary purpose is to treat substance abuse. Residential treatment facility is a fairly generic term in the U.S. and Great Britain that is also applied to residential treatment facilities whose goal is to treat mental illness as opposed to specifically treating alcoholism or drug addiction.

In addition to ensuring the primary goal of the residential treatment facility is the treatment of alcoholism and more drug addiction, to ensure the residential treatment facility has a valid state license and is Ron by professionals who were licensed by the state.

When you visit the residential treatment facility in person, keep your eyes open for signs indicative of the poorly run residential treatment facility such as lack of cleanliness or unfriendly staff. And if the majority of patients you observe seemed generally unhappy that could also be a warning sign.

Don’t be afraid to talk to the staff and patients to gauge their opinions of the residential treatment facility you are considering. This is an important decision. Remember you will be entrusting the treatment of your alcoholic or drug addicted family or friend to this facility so be do what you can to be certain you’re making the correct decision.

There’s also a decent chance that your alcoholic/addict could be pressured into entering a specific residential treatment facility by a person such as a probation officer, a judge, or the substance abuser’s employer. The Phoenix House says that the majority of applicants are referred in this manner in addition to being referred by schools, doctors, social workers, psychologists, and friends who have heard of the Phoenix house through word of mouth.

In extreme cases it’s possible the alcoholic/addict may even enter a residential treatment facility as a prison inmate. Residential treatment facilities are still relatively rare in American prisons but their popularity has grown tremendously in recent years. What’s better scenario for treating an alcoholic/addict and after their self-destructive behavior has landed them in prison and they have some time on their hands?