xxAACP Newsletter, Volume 12,
Number 2, Spring 1998
New Internet Guide Helps Professionals and Consumers Match Needs with Addiction Resources
This rapidly growing online service is more than a simple listing. Facilities are asked to respond to a detailed questionaire that asks probing questions and elicits facts that help the information seeker to evaluate the match between the facilty and their personal or professional needs. Looking at the actual Web listing -- you see, on the left of the screen, the program described "in its own words," with a general statement as well as statements about "treatment philopophy," "confrontation," " 12 step involevment," and "family involvement in treatment." On the right side of the screen, statistical information is presented, such as number of beds, percentage of women, and programming for special populations. Finally, data is presented on costs and how to make a referal.
"Our goal," says Dr. Smith, "is to bring up-to-date information to the general public and the professional community." Inpatient facilities are listed free of charge to ensure that we include the greatest possible range. Those programs that have their own website are offered the opportunity to have a link which permits the user to transfer directly from the Addiction Resource Guide listing to the facility's own webpage. Fees for this linking service partially cover the cost of providing the listings. Some other types of listing, such as outpatient facilities and long term residential facilities, are listed on a fee for service basis at a modest yearly rate.
Addiction Resource Guide has paid special attention to the needs of the professionals. Most of us have relationships with a few facilities we like, but there are always situations where special needs take us further afield. For example, what facilities are there for special populations like clergy or unifomed service personnel? ARG's listings are indexed by special populations and go further to indicate whether the special population is served by a separate treatment track, or within the general program. This kind of information is not readily available elsewhere.
"We are actively promoting the site so as to make it visible both in the professional community and to the general public." says Waldman. "We also work to build our relationships with the facilities we list so that we can further enhance our services. For example, we are contacting inpatient facilities to solicit names of outpatient treatment programs that they recommend. These programs will form the base of our new outpatient directory."
Some professionals have asked us about the impact of managed care. Do people still look for the best facility for their needs or are referrals controlled by contracts with managed care companies? We find that many people's coverage allows a degree of choice, especially in regions with more than one resource. Besides, as more and more insurance companies place restrictions or exclude coverage, some families opt to make their own arrangements for treatment. Making a match is still relevant today just as marketing is still relevant for successful treatment facilities.
We have been very pleased with the positive reception we are getting. Now that we have in-depth listings of facilites covering a wide range of specialized services and geographical regions, we want to spread the word that there is a new way to match resources and clients.
For more information about the Addiction Resource Guide, go to http://www.hubplace/addictions or call 914-345-9892.
Web Editor's note, June 9, 2002 -- The current URL for
the Addiction Resource Guide is
http://www.addictionresourceguide.com and the
current phone number is 914-725-5151.
Back to Spring 1998 Table of Contents