In order to provide service, addiction treatment providers must be licensed and/or certified in the state where they operate.
However, many addiction treatment centers also invest in difficult, lengthy, and often expensive third-party accreditation programs in order to demonstrate their commitment to providing a high standard of care for all patients.
What Is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a seal of approval provided by third-party accreditation agencies to drug rehab facilities that meet certain high standards of care in behavioral healthcare.
In order for a treatment facility to become accredited, they must submit to a thorough review of their facility, operations, personnel, training practices, business records, client care outcomes, HIPAA compliance, and more conducted by representatives of the specific accrediting body. This includes both records audits and on-site visits.
While the process can be rigorous, lengthy, and oftentimes expensive, it demonstrates the importance of the accreditation process for reliable and recovery-focused rehab centers.
Why Accreditation Matters For Rehab Facilities
While state licensing requirements can vary, accreditation is generally not required for addiction treatment facilities to operate.
Instead, accreditation means that a rehab facility has undergone a process to prove that they provide a certain level of care and meet high standards for addiction treatment.
Accreditation can also help addiction recovery centers evaluate their services, identify problem areas, and improve their services accordingly.
Using The Seal Of Approval
If successful in achieving their accreditation, accredited drug rehab facilities can then use this seal of approval in marketing materials and other publications, demonstrating their high level of care to other healthcare organizations and members of the general public at a glance.
In one study conducted by CARF-accredited programs, researchers found that facilities that went through the process of accreditation experienced a 26% increase in the number of people served each year, as well as 37% increase in their conformance with certain quality standards.
National Accrediting Organizations
The primary accrediting bodies for addiction treatment facilities include the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and the Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO.
CARF Accreditation
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities is a non-profit accrediting body that focuses on evaluating over 90 types of drug/alcohol addiction treatment programs in the United States, Canada, and Europe, including dual-diagnosis programs that also provide treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions.
Around 22% of USA substance abuse treatment services are accredited by CARF.
Joint Commission Accreditation
The Joint Commission is another independent and non-profit organization that primarily provides accreditations for healthcare providers and hospitals.
Accreditation by the Joint Commission verifies that a center or provider meets rigorous quality and safety standards of care for their patients and communities.
Around 19% of USA substance abuse treatment services are accredited by the Joint Commission.
What Does Accreditation Mean For Patients?
In the wake of the opioid and methamphetamine crises, both inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs have become more and more widespread.
While this does mean that more and more people have close access to care, it can also make it more difficult to pick the right program for you or your loved ones.
Searching specifically for accredited drug/alcohol rehab programs is a great way to narrow the field while still being sure that treatment options are effective and evidence-based, provided in a clean and safe setting, and administered by well-trained professionals.
Your insurance company may also have specific policies and preferences for accredited treatment providers, in recognition of the effective and high-quality care they provide.
Accreditation At Northeast Addictions Treatment Center
At Northeast Addictions Treatment Center, our team is committed to providing the highest quality of care possible for all forms of drug and alcohol addiction in a convenient outpatient setting.
Offering regular outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient services, and day treatment services, Northeast Addictions Treatment Center is licensed by the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) in Massachusetts and has been awarded the gold seal of approval by the Joint Commission.
Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options or to enroll in a personalized treatment program designed to meet your needs and work towards your goals for recovery.
Keep Reading:
- Insurance Verification for Drug Addiction Treatment
- 9 Factors To Look For In An Addiction Treatment Center
- What’s The Difference Between Inpatient & Outpatient Care?
Sources:
- CARF International – About CARF
- The Joint Commission – Joint Commission FAQs
- Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment – Barriers and Facilitators to Substance Use Disorder Treatment: An Overview of Systematic Reviews