What Questions Should Be Asked During a Rehab Facility Tour or Consultation?

Not all rehab centers are the same—some vary in quality, licensing, treatment philosophy, or staff training. Yet, asking a few questions can reveal any red flags—or confirm you’re making the right decision. After all, you want to ensure you’re in good hands.

The facility tour or initial consultation provides the perfect opportunity to gather essential information about treatment, staff qualifications, and program specifics. Coming prepared with thoughtful questions can also ensure you’re ready! So, what questions should you ask? Here’s what we recommend.

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Questions About Licensing, Accreditation, and Staff Credentials

When touring a rehabilitation facility, be prepared to ask these important questions about credentials and qualifications:

Is your facility currently licensed by the state to provide addiction treatment services?
May I see documentation of your current state license?
Is your facility accredited by national organizations like the Joint Commission or CARF?
When was your most recent accreditation review, and when is the next one scheduled?
What specific credentials do your clinical staff members hold?
Are your physicians board-certified in addiction medicine or psychiatry?
What licensure do your therapists maintain?
Do your addiction counselors hold certifications such as CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor)?
For detox programs: Is medical staff available 24/7 to monitor withdrawal symptoms?
Has this facility ever lost accreditation, faced licensing violations, or received citations from regulatory bodies?
If yes to the previous question: What specific corrective actions were implemented?

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Questions About the Treatment

A one-size-fits-all approach should raise red flags. To ensure this isn’t the case (or is), ask these questions during your initial intake:

What treatment model or philosophy does your facility follow (such as the 12-steps, holistic, or evidence-based)?
How do you develop individual treatment plans? What assessment tools do you use?
How often are treatment plans reviewed and adjusted based on progress?
What specific therapeutic modalities do you offer (CBT, DBT, EMDR, motivational interviewing)?
How much of the program involves group therapy versus individual therapy?
How often will I (or my loved one) meet one-on-one with a therapist or counselor?
Do you provide trauma-informed care? How are trauma issues addressed?
How do you treat co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or PTSD?
Is medication-assisted treatment (MAT) available if appropriate?
Can treatment plans be modified if certain approaches aren’t working?
What role does family involvement play in your treatment program?
How do you measure progress and treatment effectiveness?

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Questions About Daily Life and Program Structure

Inevitably, you’ll want to know what your daily life will look like, and it’s a good idea to ask. Here are some questions to help guide you:

What does a typical daily schedule look like from wake-up to lights-out?
How structured is the program? Is there free time or downtime built into the schedule?
Are weekends different from weekdays in terms of programming?
What is the average length of stay for someone with my (or my loved one’s) needs?
Is this program fully residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, or standard outpatient?
If residential, are there opportunities to practice skills in real-world settings before discharge?
How many clients are in the program at any given time?
What is your staff-to-client ratio?
Are rooms private or shared? If shared, with how many people?
Are clients grouped by age, gender, or other factors?

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Questions About Family Involvement

Family involvement can play a pivotal role in your recovery. Loved ones offer support, and, with many addictions, some level of trust may need to be rebuilt. Thus, you’ll want to ask what this all looks like. Consider questions like:

What opportunities exist for family involvement in the treatment process?
Do you offer family therapy sessions? If so, how frequently?
Are there educational programs specifically designed for family members?
What are your policies regarding visitation?
How can family members communicate with clients during treatment?
Are there restrictions on phone calls, emails, or other forms of communication?
How do you help families understand addiction and develop healthy support strategies?
Are families included in discharge planning and aftercare development?
Do you offer resources or referrals for family support groups like Al-Anon?
How do you handle family conflicts that may arise during the treatment process?

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Questions About Facility & Amenities

For residential treatment, you’ll likely want to know even more about where you’ll be staying 24/7. These questions can help you or your loved one gain a better understanding of this:

Is the facility secure and monitored 24/7 by qualified staff?
What is your staff-to-client ratio during daytime and overnight hours?
What types of accommodations do you offer (private rooms, shared rooms, or suites)?
If rooms are shared, how many clients share a room?
Are meals prepared on-site? And what type of food is typically served?
Can you accommodate specific dietary requirements (if needed)?
What recreational facilities are available (gym, outdoor spaces, etc.)?
Do you offer wellness activities like fitness classes, yoga, meditation, or art therapy?
Are there quiet spaces available for reflection or private time?
What personal items are allowed or prohibited during the stay?

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Questions About Aftercare

Aftercare is the continuation of care and support post-rehab treatment. When it comes down to it, recovery doesn’t end when your treatment program does. However, many facilities—like Freedom Recovery Centers (FRC)—can help guide you when it comes to resources, counseling, support groups, and more post-treatment. With that in mind, here are a few questions you may want to ask:

What does the discharge planning process involve? And when does it begin?
Do you create a personalized aftercare plan before completion of the program?
What specific relapse prevention strategies do you teach?
How do you help with the transition back to home/work/school life?
Do you offer step-down care options like sober living arrangements?
Is there continued access to therapy or counseling after completing the primary program?
Do you have an active alumni program or regular alumni events?
Are there support groups specifically for program graduates?
What happens if someone relapses after completing the program?
Do you provide referrals to community resources and support groups?
Is there a staff member I can contact if I face challenges after leaving?

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Questions About Costs & Finances

Lastly, many will want to inquire about costs and financial help. The truth is that finances can be a major hurdle for many getting the help they need. At FRC, we believe they shouldn’t be, which is why we help verify your insurance and help you explore financial options, making the entire intake process that much easier. During your tour or consultation, you’ll likely want to ask some of the following questions (if not before this time!). It’s worth noting that some of these questions may be necessary to ask of your insurer (or have the center inquire for you).

Do you accept my specific insurance plan?
Will you verify my insurance benefits before admission?
What is typically covered by insurance and what isn't?
What out-of-pocket costs should I anticipate?
Is there a deductible I need to meet before insurance coverage begins?
Do you offer any financial assistance programs or scholarships?
Are payment plans available for costs not covered by insurance?
What is the total estimated cost for the recommended length of stay?
Are there additional fees for medications, laboratory testing, or specialty services?
Do you charge separately for medical assessments or psychiatric evaluations?
What is your refund policy if treatment ends earlier than planned?
Are there any hidden costs I should be aware of?

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Category	Example Questions
Licensing, Accreditation, and Staff Credentials	Is your facility licensed by the state? May I see documentation? Is your facility accredited (Joint Commission, CARF)? What credentials do staff hold? Are physicians board-certified? Is medical staff available 24/7 for detox? Has the facility faced violations or lost accreditation?
Treatment Approach	What treatment philosophy do you follow (12-step, holistic, evidence-based)? How are individual plans created and adjusted? What therapies do you offer (CBT, DBT, EMDR)? How often are individual vs. group sessions? Do you provide trauma-informed care or medication-assisted treatment (MAT)? How do you handle co-occurring disorders?
Daily Life & Program Structure	What does a typical daily schedule look like? How structured is it? What is the average length of stay? Is the program residential, outpatient, or partial hospitalization? Are skills practiced before discharge? What is the staff-to-client ratio? Are rooms private or shared?
Family Involvement	What role does family play in the treatment process? Are family therapy or educational sessions offered? What are visitation policies? How can families communicate with clients? Are families involved in discharge planning? Are support group referrals provided?
Facility & Amenities	Is the facility secure and monitored? What accommodations and meal services are provided? Can you meet dietary needs? What recreational and wellness activities are available? Are there quiet spaces? What personal items are allowed?
Aftercare	What does discharge planning involve? Is a personalized aftercare plan provided? What relapse prevention strategies are taught? Are alumni programs and ongoing therapy available? How is support provided post-treatment? What happens if relapse occurs?
Costs & Finances	Do you accept my insurance? Will you verify benefits? What is covered vs. out-of-pocket? Are payment plans or financial assistance available? What is the total estimated cost? Are there additional fees? What is your refund policy?

Breaking Free From Addiction is Possible

With FRC, we strive to make things as smooth as they can be. Together, we’ll address all of your questions, ensuring you feel heard and that your concerns have been answered. The FRC team truly believes your best days are still ahead of you! Whenever you’re ready, we’re here for you. Call us at 804-635-3746 to reach a member of our caring and compassionate team today.