Choosing Treatment
How to Choose a Rehab You Can Trust
How Do You Choose a Rehab You Can Trust?
To choose a rehab, first confirm the program holds a current state license, then look for accreditation from The Joint Commission, CARF or another national body, and check SAMHSA's signs of quality: evidence-based therapies, FDA-approved medication, family involvement and support after treatment. Be wary of anyone who pushes you toward a faraway program, or a call line that won't say who it works for. SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) gives free, confidential referrals, and the treatment finder lists programs from SAMHSA's own directory.
Choosing a rehab often happens in a rush, by phone, while someone you love is in crisis. That’s exactly when bad actors find people. A few checks, most of them free and quick, separate a legitimate program from one that wastes money or puts someone at risk.
How to Choose a Rehab: The Short Version
Before you commit to any program, confirm four things:
- It holds a current state license for the level of care it offers.
- It’s accredited, ideally by The Joint Commission, CARF or another national body.
- It meets SAMHSA’s signs of quality: evidence-based therapy, FDA-approved medication where it applies, family involvement and support after discharge.
- Nobody is paying you, or being paid, to steer you there.
NIAAA, part of the National Institutes of Health, adds that higher-quality care starts with a comprehensive assessment and a treatment plan built for the person, not a one-size program. It also cautions that there are no guarantees and that, as a government agency, it can’t endorse any provider. Treat any “best rehab” list or ad with the same caution.
Check the State License
A license is the state’s permission to operate. NIAAA says the minimum for any treatment program is a current license, usually from the state agency that oversees addiction or mental health services. Licenses can lapse, so check the current status rather than trusting a logo on a website.
Every facility in SAMHSA’s FindTreatment.gov directory is licensed by its state, and the treatment finder on this site uses that directory. If you found a program another way, look it up:
Look for Accreditation
Accreditation goes beyond the license. NIAAA explains that an accredited program has passed a thorough, independent review of its procedures, records, staff and facilities. Accreditation usually lasts three to five years before the program must be reviewed again.
| Credential | Who grants it | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| License | Your state | The program may legally operate. NIAAA calls this the bare minimum. |
| Accreditation | The Joint Commission, CARF, the Council on Accreditation (now Social Current) or NCQA | The program passed an independent review of its procedures, records, staff and facilities. |
| Counselor certification or license | State boards and independent credentialing boards | Staff have specialized training in addiction. |
| Board certification for doctors | American Board of Addiction Medicine or American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology | The doctor has the highest level of addiction training. |
For methadone clinics, accreditation isn’t optional. SAMHSA approves the bodies that accredit opioid treatment programs: CARF International, Social Current, The Joint Commission, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care and the Washington State Department of Health.
Ask the program who accredits it, then confirm on the accrediting body’s own website.
SAMHSA’s Signs of Quality Treatment
SAMHSA publishes a checklist for comparing programs. It suggests asking a trusted person to help you go through it.
- Licensed and accredited, for the program and its staff.
- Evidence-based practices, such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, supportive therapy and social skills training.
- Medication that is FDA-approved. SAMHSA says programs should only use FDA-approved medication for alcohol, tobacco or opioid use. There are no FDA-approved medications yet to prevent a return to methamphetamine or cocaine use, so be wary of any program that sells one.
- Families included, as the person in care wants.
- Help with the rest of life, like medical care, housing, food assistance, jobs and long-term recovery support.
FindTreatment.gov adds one more: speed. Being seen quickly is a sign of quality, and if a facility can’t see you within 48 hours, try another.
For opioid use disorder, ask directly whether the program offers or continues methadone, buprenorphine or naltrexone. See medication for opioid use disorder for why that matters.
Questions to Ask Before You Commit
FindTreatment.gov says the intake call is confidential, and you won’t be reported to the police for talking about drug use. Staff will ask what you’ve been using, for how long, your health conditions and medications, and how you plan to pay. Ask your own questions too:
- Is the program licensed, and by which state agency? Who accredits it?
- What happens in the assessment, and who builds the treatment plan?
- Which therapies do you use? Do you offer or continue medication for opioid or alcohol use disorder?
- Are counselors licensed or certified in addiction treatment?
- When can I start? Is there a waitlist?
- What will it cost? Do you take my insurance or Medicaid? What isn’t covered?
- How are families involved, and when can they visit or call?
- What medications may I bring? Is there childcare or help with transportation?
- What happens after discharge? Do you help arrange outpatient care, recovery support or sober living?
SAMHSA suggests writing yourself a short script before calling, and says it’s normal to call several places before you find an opening.
Red Flags That Should Stop You
- The program can’t name its license or accreditation, or the lookup doesn’t match.
- Promises of cure or guaranteed results. NIAAA says there are no guarantees.
- “Exclusive” medications for stimulant use or other substances with no FDA-approved treatment.
- No assessment. FindTreatment.gov says everyone entering treatment should get a clinical assessment.
- A scholarship with strings. FindTreatment.gov warns that many facility scholarships are revoked if you don’t finish, leaving you to pay for the time you spent there.
- Pressure to decide on the phone or to travel today.
- Detox only, with no plan for what comes next. Detox is a first step, not treatment on its own.
Patient Brokering and Misleading Call Lines
Some of the most harmful rehab scams start with a friendly voice on the phone.
Patient brokering. New York’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) describes patient brokering as a predatory practice in which brokers get paid by out-of-state treatment providers for sending them patients. It warns that the care is often more expensive and lower quality than care close to home, and tells people to beware of false promises and fraudulent referrals to out-of-state treatment. Florida law makes it a felony to offer or pay any commission, bonus, kickback or benefit, in cash or in kind, to induce a patient referral, with a mandatory fine of $50,000.
Paid referrals. Brokers are paid for each patient they send, so a person urging you toward one faraway program may be paid to do it. Before you agree, check the program’s license in the table above and compare it with programs near home in the treatment finder.
Misleading call lines. The FTC warns that the first two or three search results may be paid ads, and that a phone number in search results may not belong to the business it seems to. In one case, ads used the names of real treatment centers and redirected callers to the advertiser’s own facilities. In another, the FTC’s first case under the Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act, a referral service promised hand-picked, high-quality centers but didn’t screen callers and transferred them straight to its network members.
How to protect yourself:
- Type a program’s web address yourself instead of clicking an ad, as the FTC advises.
- Ask anyone who calls or answers a hotline: “Who do you work for, and are you paid when I enroll somewhere?”
- Use neutral sources. The FTC points people to FindTreatment.gov and SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-4357), which is free and confidential.
- Report misleading ads at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. In New York, report patient brokering to OASAS at 800-553-5790.
Matching the Program to the Person
A legitimate program still has to fit. NIAAA says most people with alcohol use disorder start with outpatient counseling and don’t need a residential stay, while inpatient rehab suits people with unstable housing, little support at home or serious health needs. The levels of care tool compares the options, and the payment checker shows what your coverage must pay for.
When you’re ready to look, search the treatment finder by ZIP code or start from your state page. If you’re choosing for someone else, the guide to helping someone with an addiction covers how to raise it, and what to expect in rehab walks through the first days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There an Official Ranking of the Best Rehabs?
No. NIAAA explains that, as a government agency, it cannot endorse any particular provider, and no single national database lists every program. Judge a program by its license, accreditation and SAMHSA's signs of quality, not by a "best rehab" list or ad.
Does a Rehab Have to Be Far Away to Work?
No. NIAAA says most people with alcohol use disorder start with outpatient care and don't need a residential program. New York's addiction agency warns that brokers steer people to out-of-state programs that are often more expensive and lower quality than care at home. Start with programs near you in the finder.
How Fast Should a Program Be Able to See Me?
FindTreatment.gov says being seen quickly is a sign of quality, and if a facility can't see you within 48 hours, try another. Many programs offer walk-in care, or interim care with daily medication and emergency counseling while you wait.
Are Facilities on FindTreatment.gov Licensed?
Yes. FindTreatment.gov says all facilities it lists are licensed by the state they're in, and all offer assessment. The treatment finder on this site is built from that same SAMHSA directory.
What Should I Watch for With Rehab Scholarships?
FindTreatment.gov warns that some facility grants or scholarships don't cover the whole stay, and many are revoked if you don't finish the program, leaving you responsible for the time you spent there. Ask what strings are attached before you accept.
Where Do I Report a Rehab Scam?
Report misleading ads or referral services to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. In New York, report patient brokering to OASAS at 800-553-5790. In other states, contact the licensing agency in the table on this page or your state attorney general.
More on Choosing Treatment
- What to ExpectIntake, a typical day and what happens after
- DetoxWhat medical detox involves, how long it takes and where to find it
- Inpatient RehabHow residential treatment works, short and long-term programs
- Outpatient RehabTreatment while you live at home, and who it suits
- Intensive Outpatient (IOP)IOP and PHP schedules and how they compare
- Sober LivingRecovery residences, certification and what to check
This guide explains treatment options in plain language from official sources. It isn't medical advice; a clinician can assess what care fits your situation.
Sources
- SAMHSA: Quality Treatment for Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol (Finding Quality Treatment)
- SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov: What to Expect
- SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov: Paying for Treatment
- SAMHSA: How to Set Up an Appointment
- SAMHSA: Approved Accreditation Bodies for Opioid Treatment Programs
- NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator: Frequently Asked Questions
- New York State OASAS: Stop Treatment Fraud
- FTC: Seeking Treatment for Addiction? Some Things to Know Before You Search (June 2025)
- FTC: Are You Looking for Treatment for Opioid Addiction or Dependence? Avoid a Search Scam (June 2025)
- FTC: Drug Treatment Referral Service Took Advantage of Addictions (May 2022)
- Florida Statutes § 817.505: Patient Brokering Prohibited
- SAMHSA: National Helpline
- Alabama: ADMH Provider Directory (certified community providers)
- Alaska: Division of Behavioral Health, Alaska Department of Health
- Arizona: AZ Care Check (ADHS licensed facility search)
- Arkansas: Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (OSAMH), Arkansas Department of Human Services
- California: DHCS licensed and certified SUD recovery and treatment facilities (CHHS Open Data)
- Colorado: Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), Colorado Department of Human Services
- Connecticut: CT eLicense license lookup (Department of Public Health)
- Delaware: DSAMH Licensed Provider List
- District of Columbia: DBH list of certified community-based service providers
- Florida: DCF Provider Substance Use Disorder Licensing and Designation Search
- Georgia: GaMap2Care facility search, DCH Healthcare Facility Regulation Division
- Hawaii: ADAD Accredited Treatment Facilities list (June 2026)
- Idaho: Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Illinois: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR), Illinois Department of Human Services
- Indiana: INconnect FSSA provider search: Addiction Services (DMHA-certified treatment and recovery housing)
- Iowa: Iowa HHS SUD Licensure Provider List (PDF)
- Kansas: Behavioral Health Services Commission, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)
- Kentucky: DBHDID Alcohol and Other Drug Entity (AODE) Provider Directory
- Louisiana: LDH Health Standards Section: Behavioral Health Service Providers by region (licensed provider list)
- Maine: Maine DHHS Division of Licensing and Certification: Search for a Licensed Provider
- Maryland: BHA Licensed and Certified Providers and Programs
- Massachusetts: Look up a BSAS Licensed Treatment Program
- Michigan: LARA Bureau of Community and Health Systems license verification (includes substance use disorder programs)
- Minnesota: DHS Licensing Information Lookup
- Mississippi: DMH Find Certified Providers
- Missouri: Alphabetical Listing of Division of Behavioral Health Certified Programs
- Montana: Montana DPHHS state-approved substance use treatment provider list
- Nebraska: Nebraska DHHS roster of licensed Mental Health Substance Use Treatment Centers
- Nevada: Behavioral Health Certifications for Excellence in Nevada (BHCEN) certified provider directory
- New Hampshire: Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS), New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
- New Jersey: Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), New Jersey Department of Human Services
- New Mexico: Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD), New Mexico Health Care Authority
- New York: OASAS Provider and Program Search
- North Carolina: NC DHSR Mental Health Licensure and Certification: licensed facilities list
- North Dakota: Behavioral Health Division, North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
- Ohio: Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH)
- Oklahoma: ODMHSAS certified provider list (addresses and services)
- Oregon: OHA Substance Use Disorder Provider Directory (PDF)
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Facility Locator and Inspection Results
- Rhode Island: BHDDH License Portal (licensed substance use service providers)
- South Carolina: SC Department of Public Health Find a Facility (Facilities for Chemically Dependent or Addicted Persons)
- South Dakota: DSS Office of Licensing and Accreditation portal (search for an accredited behavioral health program)
- Tennessee: TDMHSAS Find a Licensed Facility or Service
- Texas: HHSC Chemical Dependency Treatment Facilities directory
- Utah: Utah DHHS Division of Licensing and Background Checks, Find a Facility
- Vermont: Division of Substance Use Programs (DSU), Vermont Department of Health
- Virginia: DBHDS Office of Licensing Provider Search
- Washington: Washington DOH facility search (behavioral health agencies)
- West Virginia: Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH), West Virginia Department of Human Services
- Wisconsin: Wisconsin DHS Provider Search
- Wyoming: WDH Behavioral Health Division certified provider public search
- Puerto Rico: ASSMCA list of active licensed facilities (Instalaciones activas licenciadas por ASSMCA)