Questions to ask a treatment program

By Robby Patrick, President and Founder, The Blackburn Foundation. Published October 19, 2026. Updated October 19, 2026.

Before choosing an addiction treatment program, ask how soon care can start, what it will cost and what insurance covers, whether the program is licensed and accredited, how it assesses each person, whether it offers medication and treats co-occurring mental health conditions, what happens after a relapse, and what support continues after discharge. These ten questions follow the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s guide to finding quality care.

1. How soon can treatment start?

Timing matters. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says treatment needs to be readily available, because people may be uncertain about entering treatment and the moment they are ready is important.

2. What will it cost, and what will insurance cover?

Ask for an estimate in writing, what it includes, and what happens when coverage ends. If cost is a barrier, read how to pay for addiction treatment and about treatment scholarships.

3. Is the program licensed and accredited, and who is on staff?

Ask for the program’s license and any accreditation, and the training and credentials of the counselors and medical staff.

4. Does care start with a full assessment and a written plan?

NIDA states that no single treatment is right for everyone, and that a treatment plan should be reviewed often and changed as a person’s needs change.

5. Which treatment approaches does the program use?

Ask which evidence-based therapies the program uses. NIDA notes that counseling and other behavioral therapies are the most commonly used forms of treatment for drug use.

6. Does the program offer medication when it is appropriate?

NIDA reports that medications are an important part of treatment for many patients, especially when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies.

7. How does it treat co-occurring mental health conditions?

Many people live with both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition. NIDA recommends treating both together.

8. What does the program expect from the person and the family?

Ask about rules, schedules, visits and family sessions, so everyone knows what to expect.

9. What happens if someone relapses during treatment?

NIDA describes recovery as a long-term process in which relapse can occur. Ask whether a relapse means discharge, or a change in the plan.

10. What support continues after treatment ends?

Ask about aftercare: outpatient sessions, support groups, sober living and check-ins. See levels of care, explained.

How should I compare the answers?

Write the answers down and compare programs side by side. If a Blackburn Foundation treatment scholarship becomes part of the plan, our team works with you and the treatment team to build it. Apply for a treatment scholarship.

This guide is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Talk with a qualified professional about your situation. How we write and source our guides: Editorial Policy.

Sources

1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 10 Questions to Ask (Alcohol Treatment Navigator).
2. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alcohol Treatment Navigator.
3. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition).
4. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 988lifeline.org.