Heads in Beds

Heads in beds are still a very common driver for programs. At the end of the day, an empty bed means most list. When you have a program that you are speaking with and it feels strongly, they’re giving you lip service for what you want to hear to get you to enroll in their program, there probably is some behind the scenes incentive for that staff. Trust your gut if you’re feeling pressured to enroll yourself or your young adult.

Let me circle back and say, first, this expression makes me sick. This is the epitome of the addiction treatment or behavioral health conglomerates that have venture capitalists backing their programming. Venture Capitalists do not focus on client-centered, or evidence-based approaches. Maybe some of them do genuinely care about patients getting better, but realistically most of them only care in their investment converting to a higher profit. Their push for that return trickles down to the admissions team who is gravely criticized if the program has empty beds. Again, empty beds mean missed financial gains.

I toured a program once and I’ll never forget them telling me that their capacity it the program was 82 (mind you, that’s already ridiculously high), but their “sweet spot was 68.” I remember this because 68 is still an ungodly number of program residents that you just cannot actually keep tabs on, I don’t care who tells me otherwise. This isn’t a program, it’s an operation.  I completely disengaged from the rest of the tour because I was lost in thought about the income this program was receiving. Certainly, they have the overhead for property costs, insurance, and paying the team, but still. We’re talking multi-million dollar monthly revenues.

So when you’re looking for a program and aren’t sure what’s right for your loved one, please know there are a lot of programs out there doing a fantastic job of selling you a bill of goods. Same with Consultants who say they’ll help you for free. Know they’re getting paid to direct you a certain way. Especially, please don’t go to Google to find programs. Programs often tell you what you want to hear, all for  the sake of them getting an empty bed filled. Please hire an independent consultant who can help you avoid interactions with these types of programs and get your loved one the help they need. Know where to find privately owned, ethical, quality treatment programs without getting the wool pulled over your eyes.

For questions or comments contact Joanna.