From Passion to Action: How to Start Your Own Residential Treatment Facility for Addicts

rehab business

In the United States alone, substance abuse impacts the lives of over 22 million people.

The government gave us an answer to our problems in the 1970s. We called it the drug war. We hoped it would eradicate the massive supply of illegal drugs.

Did we forget the insatiable demand for those drugs?

A residential treatment facility offers an oasis for the person caught in the battle of substance abuse. If you have a passion for helping overcome addiction, why not open a private rehabilitation center?

Today’s post covers the basics involved in opening a treatment facility. Take a minute and learn what it takes to open the doors.

First Steps to Open a Residential Treatment Facility

Savvy business owners start with a feasibility study to gain a better understanding of what type of center will thrive in a specific location.

Since your state and the federal government look at treatment centers as medical facilities, they will require licensing.

Closely following the rules of your community’s licensing board will help ensure you get your license. Two critical components of your application are strong program structure and your Policy and Procedures Manual.

How to Ensure Profitability

While it’s easy to get wrapped up in a passion for helping others, it’s critical to look at your treatment facility as a business. If you don’t, you may never even open the doors to your first client.

The first step to creating a profitable center is marketing. When you put together your marketing budget, make sure you focus on drug rehab SEO.

Marketing to addiction clients means you’ll need a website and a professional marketing team. SEO marketing takes time, but if you begin several months before you open, you should enjoy phenomenal results.

Don’t forget lead generation, which includes TV and radio advertising, paid search, and social media outreach. 

Staffing Your Private Rehab Center

Once you obtain your license and secure a location, it’s time to hire staff. Even in the smallest treatment center, you’ll need a well-oiled team to make your facility successful.

Start with the basics and plan to hire the following team members:

  • Intake Staff
  • Medical Staff
  • Case Workers
  • Managers

You’ll also need at least one employee who can handle clerical work, including reception duties. Also, since you will operate a medical facility, you’ll need a janitorial staff to ensure compliance with health standards.

As you move closer to welcoming your first clients, you may discover needs for other positions, such as executive and administrative staff.

 

Interested in More Posts Like This?

We hope we’ve inspired you to follow your dreams of helping people who struggle with addiction. Opening a residential treatment facility takes considerable time and money, but the impact you’ll have on other’s lives makes it all worth the effort.

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