When drug abuse and junkies are mentioned, many people probably automatically picture New York City, thanks to dozens of Hollywood movies and TV shows. It is true that New York is a major destination for drug smuggling, and the availability of illicit drugs of every type throughout the state is proportionately high. Fortunately, New York drug rehabilitation centers and alcohol treatment programs abound, and New York families should not assume that they will only be found in the Big Apple.

People seeking help for substance abuse in New York will find every type of public and private drug and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment center, from detox facilities to mental health counseling. Inpatient and outpatient programs offer varying degrees of services and support, so evaluate any program with care. A poorly chosen program could result in a relapse or cycle of recovery and relapse, discouraging further attempts. When choosing a drug rehab facility or alcohol treatment program, ask questions and look for some key elements in their offerings.

Good drug alcohol treatment centers, in New York or Michigan or anywhere else, offer a holistic, down-to-earth approach that addresses the whole problem of addiction, from the physical debilitation to the emotional dependency and shattered self-esteem. True rehabilitation is not an easy road; it means a long and difficult battle against the horrendous pull that drugs and alcohol exert on the addict’s mind and body. Any rehab facility that promises a quick, easy, or guaranteed cure is one to avoid.

While your first instinct will probably be to seek treatment close to home, a New York drug and alcohol treatment center may or may not be the best choice. Certainly there are many to choose from, but you will want to be sure it has experience with your particular type of problem, and that it can offer continuity of care through the entire process, from detox to long-term behavior modification. It should offer the option of inpatient care as well as outpatient programs, because very often, the only way to get a handle on addiction is to remove the addict completely from the circumstances that enabled it. That means stepping away from work, family, and all the people and places associated with the addiction to concentrate 100% on recovery. Only a residential program of some type can offer this 24/7 level of support.

The goal of “clean for life” should be an integral part of any rehab program. New York state funds a good many methadone programs and other types of treatment for low-level drug offenders, which manage the problem but don’t eliminate it. Choose a drug or alcohol rehab facility that offers the best chance of walking away from drugs or alcohol forever. This may mean that even in New York, drug and alcohol treatment centers may be most effective when located outside the addict’s local community.

Whether or not the drug and alcohol treatment center you choose is located in New York, rehab centers are completely ineffective if you never get started at all, so pick up the phone. Today.