Betty Ford was laid to rest last week and was remembered as a First Lady, cancer survivor and an activist. But those in the recovery community memorialized her for her groundbreaking work in the field of addiction treatment. A recovering alcoholic herself, Ford was honest about her addiction at a time when these things just weren’t discussed publically. As a result, she was able to help lessen the stigma from the disease of addiction, making it easier for those who are afflicted to seek help.

Her legacy laid the groundwork for what we continue to do, day in and day out, providing treatment to individuals who are able to ask for help because she made it less taboo.

Ford’s Addiction

Mrs. Ford was initially forced to confront her addiction issues by concerned family members. In 1978, barely a year after leaving the White House, her family decided to stage an intervention to address her alcoholism and misuse of opioid analgesics, originally prescribed a decade earlier for a pinched nerve. She was initially angry, but she agreed to enter the Long Beach Naval Hospital to seek treatment, taking part in what was a hardcore, rigid, military-style program.

Following her treatment, Mrs. Ford would speak as candidly about her addiction as she had her breast cancer diagnosis years before. It was a public service that would continue to reverberate decades later. To have a well-respected, high-profile person put a face to the often misunderstood disease of addiction was a game changer. While we’ll never be able to get an accurate count of the number of lives saved by her honestly addressing the topic of addiction, there’s no doubt many would have succumbed to the disease without her example to follow. A former First Lady couldn’t have used her position and power for a better purpose.

Alcohol Addiction

If you or someone you love is battling alcohol addiction, call La Paloma at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about alcoholism treatment, financing or insurance.

So many people with a chemical dependency or process addiction opt for treatment thousands of miles because it’s recommended by a professional. In other words, it wasn’t their idea to go so far away, but once they do, they see the benefits almost immediately.

FRESH START

– Pursuing treatment in another geographical area provides a physical “fresh start” as well as a mental one. A new location lets someone move forward without constantly being reminded of past mistakes.

FEWER DISTRACTIONS

– A new place far from home doesn’t allow for as many distractions. You won’t run into “friends” who are also seeking treatment and family and loved ones can be involved in the process in a safe, regimented way.

AVOIDING TRIGGERS

– In a new location, there are no memories of past substance abuse. You’re not near any locations or neighborhoods that are triggers. There are no old groups of friends that you’re tempted to track down.

In a far-away location, there’s the freedom to truly focus on you and your recovery and that’s what the process should be all about.

Before changing programs mid-treatment, you want to make sure you’ve done all you can to resolve any issues that are barriers to your staying put. If you still feel the need to make a change, or if outside forces are making it necessary to switch programs (insurance changes, new issues arising that the current program isn’t equipped to treat, etc.), you might need some helpful tips for the transition.

Tips for a smooth treatment center transition

-Make sure you have copies of all your records to bring to the new facility.

-Be prepared to be honest about why you’re making a change and what you’re looking for in this new program.

-If you were asked to leave your previous program, be upfront about that.

For many battling a substance abuse problem, it takes several different programs before treatment “sticks” for them. Maybe they weren’t truly ready to get healthy and made choices they knew would sabotage their sobriety. Whatever the reason you’re transferring treatment centers, go into it prepared and ready to start fresh, giving you the best chance possible at success.

Before you make a final decision, ask any treatment center you’re considering the following questions:

What are the staff credentials?

You want to know you’re getting professionals with the training and experience to help you through treatment and get you on the road to recovery.

What is the staff-to-client ratio?

More staff per client means more personalized care.

Do they use an integrated treatment model?

Dual diagnosis is much more than a buzzword. It’s one thing to stop the behavior, but your success rate greatly increases if you not only deal with your addiction but also any mental or emotional conditions that led you to use in the first place.

What is their stance on length of stay?

It is tempting to choose the shortest program available, but 45- and 60-day stays are becoming more popular as research proves that longer treatment times lead to better success rates. Rehab can’t be rushed. You don’t do yourself or anyone else any good if you wind up back in treatment because you left too soon.

What type of continuing care do they offer?

While your focus now may be on the actual treatment process, it’s important to also look at what happens when you leave treatment. Is there continuing outpatient care or sober living options that you can take advantage of? Most people do better when they ease back in to “normal” life in stages rather than jump in fresh out of treatment.

To what extent will family be included in the process?

Your loved ones have been affected as well and will need help and guidance. An intensive family program can be very helpful at getting to the root of any issues.

Taking the time to ask these questions and do a little bit of homework will ensure the best outcome possible and isn’t that what everyone wants?