First, ask about fit: “How do you evaluate my current substance use, physical health, mental health, medications, living situation, responsibilities, and goals?” You are not asking the caller to diagnose you immediately. You are checking whether the program gathers enough information to discuss fit responsibly. A careful answer should acknowledge limits and identify when another qualified professional must be involved.
Second, ask about delivery: “What does the proposed approach involve in practice, who provides it, and how often is it reviewed?” A treatment name alone does not tell you whether it is offered, appropriate, competently delivered, or relevant to your situation. Third, ask about monitoring: “How do you define progress, document concerns, and revise a plan?” Progress may not follow a straight line, so listen for a process rather than a promised result. Fourth, ask about alternatives: “If this setting is not a fit, how will you explain other options or help me locate them?” SAMHSA provides national treatment locators and encourages consultation with qualified professionals. Those resources can widen your search without requiring one facility to be right for everyone.
- Ask what information is collected before a fit decision is discussed.
- Ask how an individual plan is selected and who reviews it.
- Ask how services described during the call are delivered in daily practice identified by the facility during direct review of current operations . . . . . . .