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Drug Rehab Success Rates

Drug Rehab Success Rates

It’s difficult to measure success rates in drug rehabilitation programs. Some rehab centers don’t mention their success rates, while others boast high rates that seem too good to be true. Any rehab center that claims a rate of success will base their measurement on a variety of factors.

How Drug Rehab Success Rates Are Determined

Drug rehab success rates may be determined by how many people complete a treatment program at the facility. They could also be measured by the percentage of individuals who are sober for a set amount of time after treatment. This period is often 30 days, six months, or a year. It is rare that rehab success rates are based on people who are sober for two years or more following treatment. Rehab centers that claim high success rates, like 80 or 90 percent, are likely not including everyone in the survey. People who dropped out of treatment or relapsed more than a year later may not be considered. Knowing the criteria a facility uses for its rate of success can help a person get an accurate picture of how successful it really is, and whether it is the right place for them. [inline_cta_four]

What Does It Mean To Be Successful In Drug Rehab?

What it means to be successful in drug rehab differs between individuals. A person will have difficulty maintaining sobriety if they do not heal in other areas of their life. Drug rehab teaches stress management techniques and healthy activities to replace substance use. Success in rehab can be measured in many ways besides a lack of substance use, such as:

  • ability to resist relapse
  • mental, physical, and spiritual health
  • more meaningful relationships
  • better performance at work or school
  • improved functioning in society
  • more fulfillment and joy in life
  • hobbies that don’t involve drugs or alcohol

Even if someone experiences a relapse, they may consider themselves successful in completing a drug rehab program and adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Does Relapse Mean Drug Rehab Didn’t Work?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 40 to 60 percent of addiction treatment patients relapse. Like any chronic medical illness, addiction requires ongoing care, and symptoms may resurface after treatment. Relapse doesn’t always mean treatment failed. Sometimes a person makes great progress but needs more time to fully heal. Sometimes they relapse but are able to regain sobriety on their own because of the skills they learned in rehab. The NIDA notes that “recovery from drug addiction is a long-term process and frequently requires multiple episodes of treatment.” Most people also need continued care after completing a drug rehab program. Aftercare usually involves substance use counseling or support groups to keep the individual in touch with others who understand their struggle.

Which Drug Rehab Programs Have The Highest Success Rates?

Whether or not someone is successful in a drug rehab depends on their unique situation and the program they choose. However, there are many factors that are proven to increase positive treatment outcomes. Reputable drug rehab programs are run by professionals trained in addiction, not by general practitioners. There should be clinical staff available to address both mental and physical needs. The drug rehab programs with the highest success rates offer evidence-based treatment methods, individualized treatment plans, and long-term care.

Evidence-Based Treatment Methods

Evidence-based treatment methods, such as behavioral therapy, are researched and proven to help people overcome addiction. They may take place in an individual, group, or family setting. The basic concept of behavioral therapy is to identify a person’s negative thought processes and equip them with a better way of thinking. Once their thoughts are remedied, they are able to choose positive actions that lead to a better life. Behavioral therapy may involve:

  • counseling
  • motivation to change
  • incentives for abstinence
  • relapse prevention skills
  • problem-solving skills
  • improving relationships

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may be used along with therapy and counseling for individuals struggling with opioid or alcohol addiction. These drugs produce intense cravings that can linger even after medical detox. Cravings make it challenging for a person to concentrate on healing. Many people who have a high relapse risk find success in drug rehab through MAT.

Individualized Addiction Treatment

Individualized addiction treatment provides tailored care to each person based on their experience with addiction. Different types of people and different substances of use can drastically alter someone’s needs in recovery. Drug rehab programs that offer one-size treatment plans tend to have lower success rates in lasting sobriety. These programs often overlook serious issues that some individuals need intensive time to resolve.

Long-Term Drug Rehab

It takes time for addiction to develop to the point where a person seeks treatment. Most people only ask for help when they are desperate—their life, health, and relationships have been deeply affected. Because addiction is a process, treatment is a process too. It takes time. Rehab programs that last three months or longer are most effective, according to the NIDA. Long-term drug rehab allows recovering individuals time to work through deep-rooted issues connected to addiction. It also encourages them to change the way they live by breaking old habits and learning new ones.

Finding Success In Drug Rehab

The most important factor in drug rehab success is finding a quality program that meets your needs. At Vertava Health, we provide individualized addiction treatment through a blend of evidence-based therapies that nurture the mind, body, and spirit. Contact us today to learn more.