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Selecting the right rehab facility goes hand-in-hand with ensuring you get the safety and quality of care you deserve. As such, it’s important to check accreditation and proper licensing to separate reputable programs from potentially harmful operations.
So, keep reading to understand in more detail what you should know about researching a rehabilitation facility’s credentials—especially before making a commitment that could impact your recovery and its success.
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What is Accreditation and Licensing? Why Do They Matter?
Licensing refers to the mandatory state-issued permission required for a facility to legally operate. This helps set the minimum standards for safety, staffing ratios, and basic operational protocols.
On the other hand, accreditation is a voluntary certification from national organizations like CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) or The Joint Commission that signifies adherence to higher industry standards of excellence in care delivery and outcomes.
A licensed and accredited rehab center should mean the staff are properly trained, the treatments are backed by scientific studies, and your safety and rights are prioritized every step of the way. Things like confidentiality, informed consent, and ethical care are also requirements. These facilities further go through regular check-ins and surprise inspections to make sure they’re staying on track and putting patients first.
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Accreditation Organizations
Before entering rehab, it’s vital to always verify that accreditation is current. Expired statuses may indicate financial difficulties, compliance issues, or other internal problems that could affect quality of care—and, ultimately, your recovery.
The main accreditation organizations include The Joint Commision and CARF International.
Joint Commission (JCAHO)
The Joint Commission represents the gold standard in healthcare accreditation, with rigorous standards that evaluate safety protocols, treatment effectiveness, and patient care quality. Their distinctive Gold Seal of Approval indicates that a facility meets comprehensive performance standards and undergoes regular unannounced surveys to maintain compliance.
CARF International
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) focuses specifically on rehabilitation programs with an emphasis on person-centered care. Their accreditation process examines how facilities involve clients in treatment planning, measure outcomes, and implement continuous quality improvement. CARF-accredited programs demonstrate commitment to individualized care that respects client preferences.
State Requirements
However, it’s worth noting that different states have different requirements for accreditation and licensing. In fact, each state maintains its own licensing authority—typically housed within the Department of Health, Behavioral Health Services, or a dedicated Substance Abuse Treatment division—that establishes minimum standards facilities must meet to legally operate within that jurisdiction.
In Virginia specifically, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) oversees the licensing of substance abuse treatment facilities. Virginia requires different licenses for outpatient services, residential treatment, and medically managed detoxification programs. Virginia also maintains a searchable database of licensed providers through the DBHDS website to facilitate verification by potential clients and their families.
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How Can You Tell a Facility is Not Legit?
Legitimate concerns may arise when a facility’s website contains no clear information about state licensing or national accreditation—reputable centers prominently display these credentials. Be wary of high-pressure enrollment tactics, particularly those employing urgent deadlines or “guaranteed” success rates; the truth is that addiction recovery involves complex individual factors that make such promises unrealistic.
Other concerning indicators include:
- Vague program descriptions that lack specific treatment methodologies.
- Ambiguous pricing structures without clear explanation of what’s covered.
- Facilities providing detoxification without proper medical supervision—a potentially dangerous practice requiring physician oversight.
Additionally, it pays to investigate online reviews across multiple platforms like the Better Business Bureau, Google, and Healthgrades. Pay special attention to patterns of complaints rather than isolated negative reviews. If you notice any patterns, it’s likely best to find another rehab facility suited to you and your needs.
Lastly, ensure you verify that the clinical team holds appropriate credentials—counselors should have state licensure (LADC, LCDC, etc.), and medical staff should have verifiable medical licenses and addiction-specific training like American Society of Addiction Medicine certification.
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Begin Your Journey With a Reputable Rehab Center Today
At Freedom Recovery Centers (FRC), our team is accredited, licensed, and insured, helping you get the most out of each day of rehab. Ultimately, we want to help each patient that enters our facility achieve long-term sobriety. Recovery is possible. And we’re here to guide you along the way. Call us now at 804-635-3746 to begin your journey.
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