Match the Level of Care First
Matching intensity to the person's assessment comes first.
The first step is to match the level of care to the patient's problems and needs.
A person in early stages of recovery may start with outpatient services that offer flexible schedules for working, family responsibilities, or education. They may later move into a more intensive program if needed.
An individual assessment is essential for effective treatment. A therapist or counselor should discuss the person's drinking patterns, other substance use, general medical health, and mental health problems.
Outpatient - regular office visits for counseling and medication support
Intensive outpatient (IOP) or partial hospitalization (PHP) - more coordinated outpatient care for complex needs
Intensive inpatient - medically-directed 24-hour services and may manage withdrawal
Treatment settings may be standalone, hospital-based, or provided through telemedicine. A treatment setting that's right for one person might not work for another.
Inpatient hospitalization can be required if a person's physical health or emotional well-being is at risk.
Some people prefer residential treatment, others do not. There are pros and cons to each.
Checking DBHDD Licensure
House Bill 584 moved DATEP and NTP licensing from DCH to DBHDD. All CLA, ARMHP, DATEP, and NTP facilities are now licensed by DBHDD.
House Bill 584 took effect on January 1, 2026 when DBHDD assumed responsibility for licensing.
Under House Bill 584, DBHDD licenses DATEP and NTP facilities in Georgia.
DATEP rules define drug with an exception for alcohol and its derivative.
A DATEP license describes authorized drug-abuse treatment services at a given facility, which may include outpatient treatment or residential treatment.
A DATEP license must describe authorized services the licensee is permitted to offer.
An NTP license covers narcotic treatment, not alcohol rehab.
Licensure by DBHDD is separate from Medicaid enrollment.
Licensure does not guarantee high-quality care.
Markers of Evidence-Based Care
Evidence-based alcohol care can include counseling approaches and medications that have been shown to help people reduce or stop their alcohol use.
- Counseling approaches
- Motivational enhancement therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Supportive therapy
- Social skills training
- Medications approved by the FDA
- Naltrexone oral or long-acting injectable
- Acamprosate
- Disulfiram
Oral naltrexone is taken once daily and is available in generic formulations. Acamprosate comes as an oral delayed-release tablet, taken three times per day. A long-acting injectable form of naltrexone can be given every 4 weeks.
Disulfiram is an alcohol deterrent that should not be given to a person who has been drinking or to someone who is already intoxicated.
Acamprosate is not an alcohol deterrent like disulfiram. It is believed to help reduce cravings.
Naltrexone injection is an extended release formulation of naltrexone. It is given as injections every 4 weeks and is designed to provide more consistent blood levels of naltrexone than oral naltrexone. Extended-release naltrexone may help people reduce cravings and avoid relapse.
For many people with AUD, medications are part of treatment for this chronic disease. If you have tried to quit drinking on your own or with help in the past but returned to alcohol use after stopping, medication might be able to help. It is important that you know if a provider will be able to arrange for someone to prescribe and provide medication.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Enroll
Questions worth asking a Georgia alcohol program include:
- Is the program licensed? If you do not see evidence that a program is licensed, move on to one that is.
- Does the program have accreditations?
- Can I speak with someone about my insurance coverage before enrolling in treatment?
- What kinds of therapy will be used in my treatment?
- If medication-assisted treatment is appropriate, can it be prescribed at this facility?
- Will other medical issues and mental health concerns be addressed while I am here?
- What happens if a person has a relapse while they are in treatment?
- Are support services available after I complete treatment?
- What is the cost? How do you determine what I have to pay?
- What is your philosophy of treatment?
- Do you accept my insurance?
- What kind of help can I get if I'm having a difficult time coping?
- How often will the counselor see me in one-on-one sessions? Group sessions? Other types of therapy?
- Do you have a written discharge plan?
- Do you offer aftercare services, such as continuing counseling or meetings, and who will help arrange those?
- Do you require family members to participate in any part of the program?
- What experience do the counselors have with substance use problems?
- Have they been trained to address co-occurring mental health issues as well?
- What is your approach to preventing relapse while still in treatment?
- What about after treatment?
- What are the staff qualifications?
- How long is the program?
- Is this an inpatient or outpatient program?
- What evidence-based approaches do you use?
- Can my family or friends attend counseling sessions with me?
It is important that your treatment provider assesses whether you have other underlying mental health or medical issues, which may be connected to your alcohol use disorder.
Warning Signs of a Weak Program
Senate Bill 4, effective July 1, 2021, makes paid referrals illegal.
Senate Bill 4 bans paid referral arrangements including:
- split-fee arrangements
- kickbacks to referring substance abuse providers
- compensation for referrals in exchange for treatment services
Rejecting FDA-approved alcohol medicines outright is a major red flag when looking for a treatment program. A good provider will not try to convince you that medications are bad, unnecessary, or ineffective.
Programs that discharge people after a relapse instead of helping them learn from it.
Programs that are not licensed by the state and lack evidence-based treatment methods.
Programs that fail to provide adequate follow-up care or discharge people before they are ready to leave.
Unlicensed recovery residences are living settings, not treatment programs. These residences are not licensed in Georgia.
- The program appears to promise alcohol addiction treatment in a very short period of time.
- The program is not licensed.
- Uses one-size-fits-all approach to treatment
- Refuses to discuss FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder
- A lack of trained medical staff, such as nurses or doctors
- No aftercare planning
- No support for families
Marketing Claims About Rankings and Luxury
Rankings and luxury marketing are not Navigator quality indicators.
Expense alone does not mark higher-quality alcohol care. Marketing claims that a program ranks among the top programs in the country, for instance, are meaningless unless the source is clear and unbiased. A luxury environment may seem nice, but it could be an unnecessary distraction from recovery.
There is no evidence that luxury amenities improve recovery outcomes.
Five Navigator quality signs matter more than marketing claims like five-star rankings, world-class, or luxury.
- credentials
- customized treatment plan
- evidence-based treatments
- continuing recovery support
Be skeptical if the treatment program you're considering promotes itself with a high success rate or ranking based on self-assessment.
Rehab facilities should not pressure you to commit immediately to a specific program or schedule.
Any Georgia alcohol addiction treatment center that advertises rankings or awards should be able to provide proof, and the evidence should be publicly available.
- What services are offered? Make sure they match your needs and preferences.
- Is there a medical doctor on staff?
- Are counselors certified or licensed in addiction treatment?
- How many patients are admitted at one time?
- Can I tour the facility?
- What is the patient-to-staff ratio?
- How long will my loved one stay?
- Will you be able to provide a customized treatment plan for my loved one, or will everyone follow the same schedule?
- Is it possible to add more services if needed?
Checking Official Directories First
FindTreatment.gov lists state-licensed substance use providers.
Official directories help confirm a Georgia facility is properly licensed, accredited, and/or certified by the appropriate authorities.
Before checking any online treatment directories or provider websites, check the official directory first to ensure that the facility is licensed in Georgia.
Community Service Boards connect people with substance use disorders and mental illness to the services they need.
Recovery residences are not licensed in Georgia.
- Is this facility licensed by the State of Georgia?
- What credentials do the staff have for treating substance use disorders?
- Does this facility offer specific services that I need?
- What type of treatment approach does this facility use?
- Will I be treated by a licensed clinician?
- Is there an aftercare plan in place once residential treatment ends?
Licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, physicians, and other clinicians may be able to provide therapy or prescribe medications.
A thorough assessment can identify the right treatment plan for each person. It also helps providers make sure that people get care appropriate for their needs, such as detoxification, if needed.