Addiction is not at all a pretty picture. Severe addicts, whether they realize it or not, are in the clutches of a condition that can prove deadly. If not deadly, addiction is always destructive, at best. Many people become addicts because they convince themselves that they are in control of the situation. They tell themselves that there is nothing wrong with leaning on a substance or a process for release and their behavior is not out of line. This is the ugly face of denial leading them astray. No one wins when it comes to addiction.

The greatest threat that addiction poses to its victims is mortality. Obviously, some addictions come with a greater threat of mortality than others, but people have died because of more types of addictions than one would think. It is the lack of respect for how serious addiction is that causes mortality more than anything else. Substance addictions obviously pose the most serious threat because they often come with overdoses, shared needles and chemical poisoning. Sex addictions can involve sexually transmitted disease or asphyxiation. Food addictions frequently lead to deadly illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Most other addictions cause indirect mortality, for example, a person borrowing money from dangerous people to satisfy their gambling addiction, but can still cause a deadly situation if left unchecked.

When addiction does not take lives it all too often destroys them. Addicts begin to devalue their personal relationships because they are so wrapped up in their addiction. They neglect their financial responsibilities in order to finance their addiction. They lose sight of caring for their physical and mental health, and replace their personal responsibilities, hobbies and passions with focus on their addiction. Those who recover from their addiction have a lot of ground to cover to repair their lives, but those who do not recover often lose everything in their lives.

Substance abuse treatment programs are a large investment, and choosing the facility for yourself or your loved one to check into should involve a careful selection process. Here are five important tips from licensed rehabilitation staff members to keep in mind when choosing an addiction rehabilitation center:

• Effectiveness. The first priority in choosing an addiction inpatient treatment program should be its success rate. Addiction can be devastating to a person’s life and health, and nothing should be placed above receiving necessary treatment. The best program for an addict is one that offers services that address that person’s particular addiction struggle, such as drugs or alcohol. Ask the rehab representative what tools, methods and resources are available to the recovering addict. Statistically, addiction rehabs with regular one-on-one counselling sessions have the highest success rate of any addiction treatment.
• Price. Though the quality and effectiveness of the program should always be given first priority, the price of the rehabilitation stay must meet the individual’s budget. Depending on the rehab, services must be paid for through personal income, healthcare coverage or payment plans, so the addiction rehab program selected must be within the inividual’s means. However, letting this factor have too much sway over your decision can be detrimental, as many low-cost facilities lack the resources to provide effective treatment. Facilitated addiction recovery is a healthcare expense, and the rehabilitation centers that are the most current on effective treatment methods will be properly funded.
• After care. Once the program is completed, a good quality rehabilitation center will offer ongoing services to the client in the form of sober living houses, continued support through counselling and other resources, and/or continued treatment free of charge in the case of a relapse. Ask the rehab representative about their ongoing after care and exit strategy, and whether or not they have a guarantee on their program.
• Length. Studies have shown that the longer a patient stays in a rehabilitation program, the more likely they are to avoid relapse. The length of the program a rehabilitation center offers can be an indication of how intensive and involved it is. For people who know that an inpatient addiction option is best for them, the recommended lenth of time for an effective stay is 28-days to 90-days, depending on the severity of the addiction.
• Location. Committing to the right program could mean moving to another vicinity for the addict, or the ideal program could be close to their current address. It is important to consider the location of the addiction rehabilitation center as a recovery tool. For example, if the facility is located near things that will trigger the individual’s addiction, such as favorite bars or places with drug availability, it could be that this program is not ideal for the individual. Changing your setting can change your relationship with the substance you abuse. California residents may want to seek Florida rehabilitation; Washington residents may want to seek an Alberta addiction treatment center; and so on.

1. Passages Malibu: Located in the U.S.A; A luxury addiction rehabilitation center with a holistic approach to recovery offering patients an elegant facility overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
2. Promises Treatment Centers: Located in the U.S.A. Caters to high profile individuals and offers both chemical and psychological drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.
3. The Sanctuary Byron Bay: Located in Australia. Considered one of the most elegant addiction inpatient centers in the world, and treats addictions and other disorders on a one-to-one basis.
4. Valiant Recovery: Located in Canada. A luxury addiction rehab on the shore of Okanagan Lake offering private help through every phase of addiction recovery.
5. The Priory Group: Located in the UK. With over 250 locations through out the UK, The Priory Group is well-known for its addiction and mental health treatments.
6. Serenity House: Located in Spain. This 12-Step substance abuse treatment program helps patients work through the issues causing their addiction and creates an ongoing sobriety plan for them.
7. Solutions Recovery Center: Located in the U.S.A. Offering a tropical setting, makes use of the “Break Free” plan for staying firm in continued sobriety.
8. Sober Living by the Sea: Located in the U.S.A. Built on the idea of community living rather than facility living, housing patients in beach homes by the ocean.
9. PROMIS Rehabilitation Clinic: Located in the U.K. Facility is a historic converted farmhouse in the countryside and addiction treatments range from traditional to grounbreaking.
10.  Betty Ford Center: Located in the U.S.A. A reputable treatment center for drug and alcohol abuse, founded by former first lady Betty Ford who personally battled addiction.