William J McCord

They offer inpatient hospital, detox and telemedicine. Which one fits is usually decided by how much structure the first few weeks need, and Orangeburg has 1 other center within 14 miles.

They detox from alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine, methamphetamines and opioids, so the first stage and the treatment after it can happen in one place rather than across two trips to Orangeburg.

They offer telemedicine, so some of this can be done by video rather than traveling into Orangeburg.

They offer a program for people dealing with past trauma, which not every center around Orangeburg does.

They prescribe buprenorphine and naltrexone, which is the part of treatment that is prescribed rather than attended. Of the 1 center near Orangeburg, not all of them do.

Inpatient is the higher level of care, and higher is not automatically better for everyone. Intensive outpatient care at several hours a day is closer to a residential program than to a weekly appointment. Ask whether they offer the middle levels, because many only offer the two ends.

Addiction treatment is a covered benefit on most plans sold today. A plan can approve the detox and then decline the residential stay that was meant to follow it. Ask what the rate becomes if the plan stops approving days before the program ends.

The documents matter: identification, insurance details, and anything a prescriber has written for you. A notebook and a couple of books are allowed almost everywhere and are worth more than most of what people pack. Ask what to do about prescriptions and mail arriving at home while you are away.