How to Choose the Right Rehab | Help Guides

How to choose the right rehab

Last Updated:

February 12th, 2026

Choosing a rehab is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. There are hundreds of options, and it can be very difficult to know what to look for. It can be tempting to look for the cheapest option or to assume that the most expensive rehab must be the best. But what really matters isn’t the price or how luxurious the bedrooms are. It is the staff, services, and support that are most crucial for successful addiction recovery.

This guide will help you choose the best rehab centre and rehab programme for your needs. We will cover what to look for, what to ask, and what to avoid.

Understanding your personal needs

Before you can choose the right alcohol rehab or drug rehab centre, you need to be honest about what you’re dealing with.

Start with the basics. What substance or substances are you using? How much have you been using, and for how long? Have you tried to stop before, and what happened? Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when you go without?

Some of these questions have practical implications. If you’re addicted to alcohol or dependent on benzodiazepines, for example, you will need medical detox as withdrawal can be dangerous, and even fatal. Opioid withdrawal is not usually life-threatening but is often severe enough that medical support significantly improves your chances of getting through it.

Think about your mental health, too. Depression, anxiety, trauma, and PTSD are all common among people with addiction. If they’re not addressed alongside the substance use, they will likely pull you back into addiction. You need a rehab programme that considers all co-occurring conditions to prevent relapse later.

Finally, consider your treatment history. If you have been through treatment before, think about why recovery didn’t last. Was the programme too short? Did you not connect with the approach? Understanding what went wrong last time helps you choose better this time.

Choosing between inpatient vs outpatient rehab

Drug and alcohol rehab broadly falls into two categories: inpatient (residential) rehab and outpatient rehab.

Outpatient rehab for addiction means you live at home and attend sessions during the day or evening. This can work for people with mild dependence, strong support at home, and commitments they genuinely can’t leave. Outpatient rehab is available through the NHS, though waiting lists can be long, and it is also offered by some private treatment centres.

Inpatient treatment means you stay at the facility full-time, usually for several weeks. You’re removed from your daily environment and your access to substances. For most people with significant dependence, this is the better option. There is no willpower required to not drink when there’s nothing to drink, and you are removed from the daily decisions and stresses that exhaust people in early recovery.

This guide focuses on choosing an inpatient rehab, as it has been proven to be the most effective for the majority of cases.

What to look for in an inpatient rehab centre

Not all rehabs are equal, and while bedrooms and private chefs may seem important, these are often nice extras rather than critical features. Some of the most important things to look for include:

Medical capabilities

If you need drug or alcohol detox, the facility must have proper medical provisions. That means doctors and nurses on site who can plan your detox and administer any medication you need.

Staff qualifications

Therapists should be qualified and accredited. It is important to check what credentials staff hold and what professional bodies they’re registered with. Support workers matter too, but the people delivering therapy should have proper training.

Accreditation and regulation

In the UK, rehabs should be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This isn’t a guarantee of quality, but it’s a minimum standard. Check the facility’s CQC rating and read the inspection reports. They are publicly available and can help you compare different options.

Evidence-based treatment

Effective rehab includes proven approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), trauma-focused therapy, group work, and relapse prevention planning. The top rehab programmes also include holistic approaches like yoga and sound therapy, for a well-rounded treatment plan.

Programme length

Research consistently shows that outcomes improve with longer treatment stays, so be cautious of programmes that promise results in two weeks. Four weeks is a realistic minimum, while eight to twelve weeks is usually better if circumstances allow.

Aftercare

What happens when you leave rehab for addiction is just as important as what happens while you’re there. A good rehab will have a clear aftercare plan that includes ongoing therapy, support groups, and alumni networks. If aftercare is an afterthought, that’s a problem.

Mental health support

As mentioned above, if you have co-occurring mental health issues, the rehab needs to be able to manage them. Find out whether they have psychiatrists or mental health specialists, and how they integrate mental health support with addiction treatment.

Questions to ask before committing

Before you choose a drug or alcohol rehab, call them directly. A good facility will be happy to answer questions without pressuring you to commit. Here are some important questions to ask:

What does a typical day look like?
What is the staff-to-patient ratio?
What are the qualification and experience levels of the staff?
How do you tailor alcohol and drug detoxes to individuals?
What specific therapies do you use?
What happens if I struggle or want to leave?
What aftercare do you provide, and for how long?
What’s included in the cost, and what isn’t?

This initial chat can tell you a lot. A good alcohol or drug rehab will ask about your situation before talking about beds and prices.

Practical considerations when making your choice

Beyond the clinical factors, there are practical questions to think through, including:

The location

Being close to home might seem appealing, especially if you want to involve your family. However, distance can be an advantage for some people. It takes you away from your triggers and the people and places connected to your drinking or drug use, which can help you focus on getting better.

The cost of rehab

The cost of rehab can vary widely, from around £4,000 to £20,000+ for a 28-day programme. If funding is a barrier, ask about payment plans or whether your private insurance can cover some or all of the costs.

The duration of treatment

If you can only afford or commit to a shorter programme, that’s still worthwhile. However, make sure aftercare is robust if you are planning just a few weeks in residential care.

Waiting times

If you’re ready for treatment, waiting weeks to start can be risky. Make sure that you can begin right away, and that everything at home is taken care of while you’re in rehab.

Addiction treatment at Sanctuary Lodge rehab centre

Sanctuary Lodge provides medical detox for alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and other substances, with medical and nursing staff on site.

Our drug and alcohol rehab programmes follow a comprehensive treatment pathway, offer individual therapy, group work, CBT, DBT, family therapy, holistic therapies, and trauma-focused approaches. They are led by our experienced clinical and support teams, which include qualified therapists and access to psychiatric support for those with co-occurring mental health conditions.

We believe that everyone should consider all their options before making such an important decision. If you want to know more about Sanctuary Lodge rehab and what we offer, please contact us today. Our admissions team will answer all your questions honestly and help you decide whether we are the right fit.

Tags: