SAMHSA quality guidance supports asking about licensing, accreditation, evidence-supported care, medications when clinically appropriate, family involvement, and continuing-care planning. Ask each program for current, specific answers. Do not infer accreditation from a license, evidence-supported care from a therapy label, or medication access from the phrase “detox.” Also ask how the program protects privacy and obtains consent before involving family or other supporters.
Create a comparison table with facilities as rows and these columns: public record, current program description, individual assessment process, scope limits, escalation process, licensing and accreditation, evidence-supported care, medication review when clinically appropriate, family involvement, continuing-care planning, availability, cost and payment verification, and unresolved questions. Each cell should contain the answer, source, date, and status. A blank cell means not established, not “probably yes.”
- Can the facility identify its current licensing and any separate accreditation without treating them as interchangeable?
- How does the program individualize planning beyond the substance being used?
- How are medications considered when clinically appropriate, and who reviews that question?