Not all Opioid Treatment Programs offer the same quality of care — knowing what to ask before choosing one matters.
Questions worth asking directly:
- What’s your policy on take-home doses, and how quickly can I qualify under the current rules? take-home rules article
- Is counseling included, and how often?
- What happens if I miss a dose or a visit?
- Do you offer telehealth options for any part of treatment?
- What’s your policy if I need to travel — guest dosing, take-homes, or neither?
- Are you accredited (CARF or Joint Commission)?
Red flags:
- Reluctance to answer cost questions directly
- No clear policy on take-home progression
- Pressure to stay only for a fixed, short program length rather than individualized treatment duration
- Facilities that feel more punitive than clinical in tone
Use our tools: 12-questions checklist tool and [link to program comparison tool] both apply directly here.
A reminder: A good OTP should be able to answer all of the above clearly and without defensiveness — hesitation on basic policy questions is itself useful information.
Medically reviewed by [pending]. Source: SAMHSA guidance on evaluating OTP quality.