Drug addiction and alcoholism are increasing problems in our society. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Last year saw drug overdose deaths in the U.S. surpass an unthinkable milestone: 100,000 deaths in a year.”[1]
With the growing issue of drug addiction in our country, people need to understand that drug addiction treatment is, in fact, successful.
While many people view relapse as an indicator that treatment is ineffective, this is not true. Relapse is a part of addiction, while some people can avoid it, many cannot. According to research, “Relapse rates for addiction resemble those of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.”[2] With that being said, relapse cannot be counted against the success of addiction treatment programs.
By decreasing overdose rates, reducing drug or alcohol use, and improving one’s overall quality of life, rehab does work. Let’s take a look at the why and how.
Attending addiction treatment can be scary, especially when you are worrying about whether it will work or not.
It is important to remember that measuring the effectiveness of addiction treatment does not include looking at relapse rates. As the treatment of diabetes, relapse does happen. Sometimes it is unavoidable, but treatment is aiming to reduce the severity of your condition and teach you how to manage it.
So, is addiction treatment successful in improving your quality of life and decreasing your chances of overdosing on drugs or alcohol? The answer is yes.
Rehab is effective in many ways, including:[3]
It is important to note that addiction recovery is a personal journey and the effectiveness of treatment will depend on your commitment to getting better. In other words, you will get out what you put in.
Addiction and alcoholism are chronic diseases, meaning relapse will happen. This is why it’s important for you not to view relapse as a treatment failure, but instead as a part of the journey.
Addiction recovery requires a lifelong commitment to being sober and maintaining that level of accountability and health. Sometimes, people slip up and that is okay.
When looking at relapse rates of other chronic diseases, it is easy to see why addiction relapse occurs so frequently:[2]
If you have diabetes you have to continue to use the tools and techniques your doctor has provided you with to stay healthy. This may include avoiding sugar and exercising regularly. If you were to stop doing this, your diabetes would flare up (relapse).
The same is true for addiction, if you stop using the tools provided by your treatment program, you may suffer from a relapse.
Treatment is effective, but not every treatment center is created equally. When you are looking for a rehab to attend, it is important to consider whether the program has what it needs to provide you with effective recovery skills.
But what makes a rehab program effective?
The answer is complicated, as an effective treatment program must include a wide range of services. Some of these services include:
Additionally, for treatment to be effective, you have to put in the work and be committed to recovering. A program could have all of the things it needs to be extremely successful, but without patient commitment, it will never work.
There are many ways you can benefit from attending drug rehab, but the most obvious one is being able to live a life free of drugs and alcohol. The effects of addiction can be devastating, including adverse financial, social, physical health, and mental health effects. Going to treatment can help you avoid experiencing the detrimental effects of addiction.
You can benefit from attending rehab by:
Michael Herbert, The Recovery Guide, has more than 30 years of experience working closely with individuals and families dealing with addiction and recovery issues. He is a seasoned Coach and can help you and your family establish long-term goals and access the tools you need for continued abstinence and recovery for the entire family. Get in touch with Michael today at 561-221-7677 to schedule an appointment.
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