Search for addiction treatment online and you’ll get hundreds of results in seconds. Glossy photos, five-star reviews, promises of “luxury care” and “proven results.” Every provider sounds compassionate. Almost none of them tell you how to compare one against another.

That’s a problem when someone you love needs help quickly, or when you’ve finally decided to get help yourself and don’t want to waste the moment on the wrong choice. The good news is that there’s a simple, independent checklist to work from, published by the US government agency responsible for substance use services.

SAMHSA’s five signs of quality treatment

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) publishes a short guide called Finding Quality Treatment for Substance Use Disorders (publication PEP18-TREATMENT-LOC). It sets out five signs to look for in any program.

1. Accreditation. Is the program licensed or certified by the state, and in good standing? Are the staff qualified and trained? Does it have a good inspection record? SAMHSA also suggests asking whether the program runs satisfaction surveys and will share the results.

2. Medication. Does the program offer FDA-approved medication for alcohol and opioid use disorders? SAMHSA notes that there are currently no FDA-approved medications to prevent relapse for other substances, so this sign applies mainly to alcohol and opioids.

3. Evidence-based practices. Does it offer proven therapies, such as motivational therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy? Does it provide, or help people get, medical care for physical health problems?

4. Families. Does the program involve family members in treatment? SAMHSA points out that families help people understand the impact of addiction and provide crucial support.

5. Supports. Does it offer care that goes beyond the substance use itself, such as recovery coaching, sober housing, employment support and continued family involvement? In SAMHSA’s words, “Quality programs provide treatment for the long term.”

Questions to ask before you commit

SAMHSA turns those signs into practical questions. When you call a provider, it’s worth asking:

• Is the program licensed or certified by the state, and is it currently in good standing?
• Are the staff qualified, and what are their credentials?
• Do you run satisfaction surveys, and can I see the results?
• Do you offer FDA-approved medication for alcohol or opioid use disorders?
• Which evidence-based therapies and peer supports do you use?
• How do you handle physical health problems?
• How are family members involved?
• What support continues after the main program ends?
• Can you see me, or my family member, within 48 hours?

That last question matters more than it looks. SAMHSA’s advice is direct: if a provider can’t see someone within 48 hours, look for another one. Motivation to get help can be fragile, and a long wait can close the window.

What the checklist doesn’t cover: detox

SAMHSA’s guide doesn’t go into detoxification or specific levels of care. It simply says quality programs should offer a full range of services, matched to each person’s needs. In practice, though, detox is often the first and most anxious step, and it’s worth asking about separately.

Questions to add to your list include whether detox is medically supervised, who is on site overnight, and what happens after detox ends. The answers matter most for substances that can make stopping physically or mentally risky. With methamphetamine, for example, there’s no quick-fix medication, and people often look for online “cleanse” products instead. This guide to medical detox for meth explains why supervised care is safer than an at-home cleanse, and which warning signs mean someone needs urgent help.

Red flags to watch for

Not every provider will meet every sign, and some excellent programs are small or newer. But a few warning signs are worth taking seriously:

Pressure to decide immediately. A good provider will answer questions and give you time, even if they can admit quickly.

Vague answers about licensing or staff. If they can’t say who is licensed, or by whom, keep looking.

Guaranteed results. Recovery is real, but no honest provider can promise a cure.

No plan for after discharge. If the program ends and support ends with it, that’s a gap SAMHSA’s fifth sign specifically warns about.

Offers of free travel or payments for enrolling. These can be signs of unethical practices and are worth checking carefully.

Using directories wisely

Online directories can be a useful starting point, but a listing on its own isn’t a quality check. Star ratings can be useful, yet they say little about licensing, staffing or what happens after discharge, and some listings are paid for. Use directories to build a shortlist, then verify each provider directly against SAMHSA’s five signs. You can also check state licensing through your state’s health or behavioral health department, and use FindTreatment.gov, SAMHSA’s own locator, for licensed services near you.

If you’re unsure where to start, SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 offers free, confidential referrals 24 hours a day. In an emergency, call 911. If you or someone you love is thinking about suicide, call or text 988.

The right question

Choosing a treatment provider can feel overwhelming. Five questions won’t make it easy, but they shift the conversation from “Who has the nicest website?” to “Who will actually help, and for how long?” That’s the question that matters.