
To be listed on SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator, a facility must be licensed and/or accredited by their respective state or national accrediting agency. All American Addiction Centers facilities are proudly certified by the Joint Commission or CARF The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities is an international, non-profit organization founded in 1966 with the assistance of Mary E. Switzer, then U.S. Social and Rehabilitation Services commissioner. For some institutions, it represents an alternative to Joint C…Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
Full Answer
Why choose an accredited drug and alcohol treatment center?
Finding an accredited drug and alcohol treatment center is a must when looking for help for yourself or a loved one. The Joint Commission (JCAHO) offers the highest level of accreditation generally accepted within the addiction treatment industry. Finding quality addiction treatment can be difficult and worrisome.
Are addiction and mental health treatment programs accredited?
Many addiction and mental health treatment programs undergo the process of accreditation in addition to state licensure requirements. What accreditations does American Addiction Centers Have?
Are addiction treatment centers accredited by the Joint Commission?
Of the 13,339 addiction treatment programs that voluntarily responded to The National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, 21.8 percent were accredited by CARF, the Joint Commission accredited 19.2 percent, and 56.9 percent were not accredited by either. 10 Are AAC facilities accredited? Yes.
Who accredits addiction rehabilitation programs?
One of the other major players in addiction program accreditation is the Joint Commission, the nation’s largest accrediting body for hospitals and medical facilities. Formerly known as JCAHO, the Joint Commission is also the second largest accrediting organization for addiction rehabilitation programs in the U.S.

What is NAADAC membership?
The NAADAC Organizational Membership demonstrates an organization’s “commitment to quality standards and leadership in the field of addiction.” NAADAC is the Association for Addiction Professionals – by joining as an Organizational Member, American Addiction Centers commits to supporting the addiction profession and the direction in which it is headed.
What is CARF accreditation?
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, CARF, assures that an accredited facility is of the highest quality, meets clearly defined and nationally accepted standards, and demonstrates a commitment to superior performance for their clients. With a majority of American Addiction Centers facilities being CARF accredited, we are committed to continually enhancing the quality of services provided and improving overall patient satisfaction.
What is a SAMHSA facility?
The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration is an online resource that offers information to individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse and/or mental health disorders. To be listed on SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator, a facility must be licensed and/or accredited by their respective state or national accrediting agency. All American Addiction Centers facilities are proudly certified by the Joint Commission or CARF and therefore meet these listing standards.
What is the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome strives to prevent prenatal exposure to harmful substances, such as drugs and alcohol. NOFAS works to raise awareness and support women before and during pregnancy, as well as support for individuals, families, and communities affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders.
What is alcohol justice?
Alcohol Justice is an “alcohol industry watchdog” who strives to advocate for change within the alcohol industry’s harmful practices. Alcohol Justice promotes evidence-based articles in hope of educating the community and keeping it a safe place for youth.
What is the World Anti-Doping Agency?
The World Anti-Doping Agency focuses on scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and the World Anti-Doping Code in anticipation of establishing a doping-free sporting environment for all athletes.
What is the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare?
The National Association for Behavioral Healthcare accreditation recognizes facilities that are “committed to the delivery of responsive, accountable, and clinically effective prevention, treatment and care” for individuals struggling with substance use and/or mental health disorders.
Variations by Location
In the past, drug and alcohol rehab facilities were allowed to set their own rules and provide care as they saw fit. Much of that changed in 1970, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, when states were asked to create a State Alcohol Authority and a Single State Authority for drug abuse.
One Example
Looking at a specific state’s requirements might be helpful. In order to license a drug rehab center in Connecticut, administrators need to follow a variety of steps, including:
The Bottom Line
No one would expect family members to become experts on addiction care and the law. In fact, it’s likely that families like this have many other important things to attend to, so they may not have the time to delve into the specifics of the laws in their states, and the laws that govern faraway facilities they might also be considering.
How to become a rehab center accredited?
To become accredited, the rehab center must undergo an on-site survey run by a Joint Commission survey team. To maintain accreditation, the survey team comes on-site every three years to further review and evaluate the practices of the rehab center. The survey process is data-driven and focuses on patients and how they receive care.
What is the highest level of accreditation for drug and alcohol treatment?
Finding an accredited drug and alcohol treatment center is a must when looking for help for yourself or a loved one. The Joint Commission (JCAHO) offers the highest level of accreditation generally accepted within the addiction treatment industry.
What are the requirements for a rehab center?
There are countless standards the Joint Commission issues for rehab centers, which may include, but aren’t limited to: 1 assessments contain information about individual’s previous treatment, their response to it, and their relapse history 2 care-based discharge planning (not kicking someone out for relapse or poor behavior) 3 consistent levels of methadone and buprenorphine treatment in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs 4 obtaining the individual’s history of mental, emotional, behavioral, legal, and social consequences of addiction
How many healthcare programs are accredited by the Joint Commission?
The Joint Commission has accredited and certified nearly 22,000 healthcare programs and organizations in the U.S. The types of programs it accredits ranges from hospitals to laboratory services to addiction treatment programs and more. Simply put, the Joint Commission sets standards for the country’s healthcare industry.
Why is Joint Commission accreditation important?
Patient safety and quality of care are the central ideas behind the Joint Commission’s accreditation. The approval is good for the both the rehab center and the patient. An accreditation means the center will consistently improve care and patients will receive treatment in a safe, stable, and supportive environment.
What is the benefit of Joint Commission accreditation?
The main benefit of Joint Commission accreditation is the reassurance patients within a drug or alcohol rehab program will receive high-quality care. If a rehab center is accredited, potential patients and their families can rest easy because they will be well-taken care of in a safe environment.
What is the JCAHO?
The Joint Commission, which was once known as the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), gives their stamp of approval to certain rehab centers that meet their guidelines and standards of quality care.
What is OTP accreditation?
Accreditation is a peer-review process that evaluates an OTP against SAMHSA’s opioid treatment standards and the accreditation standards of SAMHSA-approved accrediting bodies. The accreditation process includes onsite visits by specialists with experience in opioid treatment medications and related treatment activities. ...
What is a medication unit?
A medication unit is a facility that is geographically separated from where an OTP is headquartered. MAT professionals can administer medications, collect samples, and conduct drug testing and analysis from medication units. However, admission services and addiction counseling cannot be conducted within these facilities.
What is behavioral health organization?
The behavioral health care organization is in the United States or its territories or, if outside the United States, is operated by the United States government, under a charter of the United States Congress, or for other behavioral health care organizations outside of the United States that meet the following criteria: ...
What is the nature of behavioral health care practices?
The nature of the behavioral health care practices the organization provides is compatible with the intent of the Joint Commission standards; With the use of available translators if necessary, the surveyor (s) can effectively communicate with organization management and clinical personnel and at least half of the organization's clients, ...
What is the process of assessing and improving the quality of services?
The organization assesses and improves the quality of its services. This process includes a review of care by clinicians, when appropriate. The organization identifies the services it provides, indicating which services it provides directly, under contract, or through some other arrangement.
Can a behavioral health organization be accredited by the Joint Commission?
Any behavioral health care organization can apply for a Joint Commission accreditation survey under the standards in the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Behavioral Healthcare (CAMBHC) if the following requirements are met: The behavioral health care organization is in the United States or its territories or, if outside the United States, ...
When was the first addiction treatment center opened?
Teen program only offered at specific locations. One of the first addiction treatment centers, Hazelden, was founded in 1949 and served as planning inspiration for former First Lady Betty Ford for the Betty Ford Center, which opened its doors in 1982.
How old do you have to be to go to a drug rehab center?
If your loved one is an adolescent or teen under the age of 18, you can enter them into a drug treatment center. 12 However, if they are 18 years of age or older, unless they are under the order of a judge they must willingly seek help.
What is an outpatient program?
An outpatient program may be recommended for those who, for example, cannot break away from the day-to-day responsibilities of a job or have a strong support group at home. Your current medical provider or a treatment center admissions counselor can help determine which treatment option is best for you.
Why do we choose Recovery Village?
Why We Chose It: Recovery Village recognizes the need for specific care based on addiction type, with different treatment options based on type of substance, such as cocaine, meth, and prescription opioids.
Where is Oxford Treatment Center located?
Though Oxford Treatment Center—part of the American Addiction Centers (AAC) treatment facilities—is located in Etta, Mississippi, it has a dedicated 12,000-square-foot facility at the Resolutions Oxford campus for adult out-patient care, including partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs.
Where is the teen program in Minnesota?
Treatment offerings vary by location—for example, its teens' program is located in Plymouth, Minnesota—and includes in-patient, out-patient, telehealth, detox, and sober living. Additionally, children and family of those addicted to alcohol can also receive care, focusing on education and communication training.
Is Freedom House Recovery Center a non profit?
Why We Chose It: Freedom House Recovery Center is a non-profit treatment provider that will not turn individuals away, offering payment on a sliding scale based on need for those without insurance.
What is the business plan for addiction?
The business plan puts your thoughts to paper and creates what the business will become. This is required by all banks and most serious investors.
Is opening a treatment center expensive?
Opening a treatment center can be costly. Your largest investment will be into the property and the people running the center. The issue with answering this question is that each center is vastly different. What type of center are you opening, modalities, level of care, city and state, etc.
Do you need a license to open a recovery center?
Each state is different, like California. If you have 6 beds or fewer in the state of California, you are not required to be zoned commercial, however, you still need a license.

Is Accreditation The Same as Having A License?
Who Are The Most Common Accreditors?
- Looking at a specific state’s requirements might be helpful. In order to license a drug rehab center in Connecticut, administrators need to follow a variety of steps, including: 1. Obtaining a certificate of need 2. Demonstrating compliance with zoning ordinances and building codes 3. Complying with fire laws 4. Providing statements regarding owner...
What Are The Benefits of Certification and Accreditation?