What is Addiction Consulting- Addiction Consulting is a service provided to owners and operators of addiction treatment programs. These services can focus on any number of areas relating to the operation, clinical care, business and other aspects of treatment. The benefit of an outside consultant is new ideas, viewpoints, tested experience and solutions being brought to the table. The ultimate goal to create the best business and program that you can.
General Philosophy- In order for a company, program and/or provider to be successful, the program must do 4 key things well.
- Treatment- First, and most importantly, the program must provide stellar treatment. If your program is not focused on helping your patients and their families, it will be evident to potential patients and referents. Sooner or later, everyone will know what your company is really about. I believe the well being of the patient makes or breaks the bottom line.
- A Mutual Vision- Secondly, the program must have a business model that supports the primary purpose of the program, helping people. At the same time, the clinical and medical providers in the facility need to understand that without some aspect of customer service, they don’t have patients and they don’t have jobs. Providers must advocate for their patients needs and be able to articulate why the work they do is worth paying for. This mutual understanding between the business operations and treatment services, creates a synergy that supports both recovery and sustainable business practices.
- A Brand You Can Trust- Thirdly, the program must have a strong marketing and patient acquisition strategy. Treatment used to be a grass-roots, mom-and-pop type field. Today, the addiction treatment space is fiercely competitive. Right or wrong this is the reality of treatment today. Nobody will know how much you care, or how good your services are, if you cannot find patients to treat.
- A Company Culture- Lastly, the company must create a culture. While culture is a hip, “business buzz-word”, it means something special in addiction treatment. Recovering people are amazing and diverse. The company should embrace recovery, and be proud of what it means to be, “in recovery”. Whether the owners, board or corporation are hands-on or hands-off, the philosophy at the top trickles to the patient. The patient knows whether your employees are happy or not. A culture that embraces and celebrates recovery, will create a buzz that will attract patients and employees.