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How Staffing Can Affect Addiction Recovery

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Size Matters: Staff to Client Ratio in Rehab

Addiction is a powerful disease that has the ability to pull you away from the things you enjoy and the people you love. If you’ve decided that you’re ready to seek help, that’s great! This is the first step of an amazing journey that can help you regain control of your life.

However, choosing the right rehab facility can be a bit overwhelming. How long should treatment last? Would you be better off with a gender-specific program? Maybe you have a co-occurring condition like a bipolar disorder that also needs treatment? You might have already considered these important topics, but you probably haven’t thought about the staff to client ratio.

Rehab Staffing by the Numbers

The staff to client ratio means how many counselors are available concerning the number of clients. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, facilities with 4 or fewer clients per staff member are considered to have a high staff to client ratio. This is generally thought of as the higher standard of care among rehab facilities.

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How Staffing Can Affect Addiction Recovery

What does it mean for your level of care when you have more staff available?

  • Emergencies can be tended to more quickly.
  • There’s a sharper focus on your individual care.
  • You’ll experience shorter wait times for counseling and other services.
  • The environment is less crowded and more nurturing.
  • You have the opportunity to form deeper, more meaningful bonds with your peers.

Who Might Benefit More from a High Staff to Client Ratio in Rehab?

People who have struggled with addiction for long periods of time tend to have better outcomes in facilities with a high staff to client ratios. If you’ve suffered multiple relapses previously, you may benefit more from one of these programs as well. Those with co-occurring disorders like PTSD or bipolar disorder may find more readily available access to counseling comforting and helpful.

Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Lancaster, CA

At Design for Change, we believe in providing a higher standard of care for our clients. That’s why we maintain one counselor for every four clients.

Our certified Addiction Treatment Specialists have been through the recovery process themselves, so they can relate to what you’re experiencing. You don’t have to face this challenge alone. If you have questions about our program or if you need help with insurance information, our admissions team is standing by, ready to help.

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A woman receives one-on-one counseling in a recovery program with a high staff to client ratio.