What are the Current Rehabilitation Success Rates?

Current relapse rates show that there is a "40 to 60% chance that individuals who attend rehab will relapse. However, this does not mean that drug rehab is not effective.

Like any other chronic disease such as diabetes or asthma, relapses are unfortunately common. Medical research has proven that addiction and alcoholism are diseases, not just a lack of willpower or complete carelessness.

When considering the current rehabilitation success rates you must first decide what is considered "effective" treatment for drug dependence. What can be considered "successful" treatment? The goal of drug rehab is not only to get the individual sober but to help them learn how to function effectively in their everyday lives and within society.

It is difficult to accurately gather data on relapse rates because this would require researchers to follow individuals throughout their lives. Does the fact that an individual relapsed mean that treatment was ineffective or does it mean that they are a drug addict or alcoholic and that relapse is inevitable?

While relapse is not part of every single story, it is still incredibly common. With relapse rates showing that 2 to 3 in every 5 people who attend treatment relapsing, it is still a very common part of the addiction treatment industry. This does not mean, though, that the treatment center has failed. They provide every addict and alcoholic who comes through their doors with the resources to stay sober. They cannot follow the individual throughout their life, though, ensuring they do not relapse at every twist and turn of life.

You cannot base the effectiveness of a treatment center only on the number of people who relapse, you must also take into consideration those who stay sober.

Though relapse rates are currently 40 to 60% of individuals who attend treatment, this still means that 40 to 60% of individuals who attend treatment stay sober. These people cannot be discounted due to the relapse of some. Treatment works effectively in the lives of these individuals who carry what they learn in treatment on throughout the rest of their lives.

The people who stay sober take the tools and coping mechanisms learned in treatment into their everyday lives and apply them. They pause before making rash decisions and instead think rationally about the consequences. Those who stay sober maintain an active effort to do so and treatment proves to be effective for them. Relapse rates do not apply to these people, but there is no guarantee they will stay sober, either.

Prescription Opioid Successes and Relapses

Prescription opioids like oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet) and hydrocodone (Vicodin) are the leading addiction problem currently faced by Americans. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 2 million Americans start using prescription opioids for non-medical purposes every year. If you do the math, this averages out to roughly 5,750 individuals who venture into drug abuse territory every single day.

This is not to mention the number of people who are addicted to these pills. Not everyone who is addicted, after all, considers themselves to be an addict. We do know, however, that prescription drug overdoses account for nearly 22,000 overdoses every year. This makes them a much bigger than both cocaine and heroin combined.

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly how many of these overdoses are relapse related. First-time users can die simply by taking too much or mixing their substance with the wrong drug. However, relapsing greatly increases the likelihood of overdose.

When an addict stops using opioids for a while, their tolerance greatly decreases. Their body is no longer equipped to process the high doses that the user is accustomed to taking. When they relapse, then, their body can’t handle the high dosage and they end up overdosing.

It is important to note here that only 2% of individuals who show signs of prescription drug addiction actually end up making it to treatment. The other 98% either overdose before they are able to make it to rehab or attempt to recover without professional help.

As was pointed out above, opioids like OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin are often gateway drugs to heroin. By the time that many addicts acknowledge that they have a problem and check into rehab, therefore, their prescription pill habit has evolved into a full-blown drug addiction.

If you or a family member is currently abusing a pill prescription, it’s vital that you seek professional treatment. The rehabilitation success rates of prescription opioid addiction are much higher than those for heroin addiction. By getting treatment as soon as you realize you have a problem, you’ll be able to address the issue before it gets any worse.

Why Rehab Can Increase Your Chances of Staying Sober

According to a recent study published in the Open Journal of Psychiatry, 3 out of every 10 addicts who attended a rehab program stayed sober for at least one year afterward. Although this may seem like a low number, you must remember that roughly 2.5 million Americans attend rehabilitation programs each year. If you do the math, this means that inpatient and outpatient treatment programs enabled more than 750,000 Americans to get on the road to recovery.

The Benefits of Rehab

There are a number of benefits that rehab programs offer their patients. These include:

• A new environment - Let’s face it: even after you’ve gotten clean, there are going to be plenty of situations that are going to trigger cravings. If you associate certain people, places or things with getting wasted, then it might be difficult for you to fight off the urge to use while you’re around them. Attending a rehab program will give you some time and space to learn how to deal with cravings before you have to confront them in the real world.
• Holistic approach to recovery - It’s important to remember that drug addiction is a two-part condition. There are both physical and psychological aspects that the addict needs to address if they want to increase their chances of staying sober. Professional rehab programs address the physical side of addiction through detox, nutrition therapy and medications. The psychological and social aspects are treated through intense therapy, counseling, and life-coaching.
• Customized treatment - Rehab centers employ medical doctors and therapists the work with each patient to build a treatment plan around their specific needs. Every addict is different, after all. In order to increase their own personal chances of success, addicts need to address the root causes and work through a therapy program that will work best for them. Addicts who don’t attend rehab are far less likely to stay clean due to the fact that they lack a systematic approach to recovery.
• Building life skills - One of the reasons why relapse rates are so high is that many addicts are unsure of how to live a life without drugs. Just because someone detoxes from their drug of choice, after all, doesn’t mean that they’re prepared to enter back into their life right away. What will happen when life gets hectic? Is the addict prepared to cope with the stresses of life in a way that doesn’t involve drugs or alcohol? A big part of recovery is learning to deal with problems while simultaneously avoiding the urge to start using again.
• A network of support - Oftentimes, addicts who leave their life as a drug-addict behind them end up feeling isolated and alone. This makes sense, given the fact that a lot of their former friends might be drug users or enablers. Sure, you may have some supportive family members and hopefully a few friends that aren’t on drugs, but is there anyone in your life that truly understands the experience you’ve been through. In a rehab program, you’ll meet dozens of people who either are working through recovery themselves or have done so in the past. You’ll have the opportunity to not only receive support but to offer your own support to others who need it as bad as you do.
• Dual-diagnosis treatment - Drug addiction and mental illness are closely linked. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 8 million people struggle with both a mental disorder and a drug addiction use disorder. These individuals often require specialized addiction treatment that takes into account their brain chemistry and history of trauma. If you struggle with mental illness and require dual-diagnosis treatment, it’s vital that you don’t attempt to rehabilitate from drugs on your own. Professional rehab programs offer both the medical expertise and psychological support that you need in order to treat your co-occurring disorders.
• Aftercare resources - Happy to be on the path to a healthier life but worried about what will happen to you after rehab? Don’t worry! Most rehab programs will offer to set you up with aftercare treatment in order to provide you with continued support once you leave. They may put you in touch with a local halfway house that you can live in while you work to get back on your feet, allow you to rent housing on-campus at the treatment center or connect you with other alumni that you can attend meetings with.

Why Would Anyone Avoid Rehab?

There are a few reasons why some addicts forego professional treatment and try to recover from addiction on their own watch. Here are a few reasons we’ve heard:

"Rehab costs too much."

Many addicts are turned off by the cost of rehabilitation. They take a look at the price tag and say, “Nope. I can’t afford that.”

In reality, however, there are a number of resources available for recovering addicts to help them cover the cost of treatment. Most health insurance providers, for example, will cover all of the costs associated with drug rehabilitation. Similarly, many treatment centers offer payment plans for people who don’t have health insurance. This enables addicts to get clean now and work toward paying the program back over time.

“I can’t take the time off work.”

Most addicts have things they need to do in addition to getting clean. Whether it’s work, school or family responsibilities, there are things that get in the way of recovery. It’s important, however, that you take some time away to focus on addiction treatment if you want to increase the likelihood that you’ll stay sober.

Fortunately, outpatient rehab programs are a great option for people who need have responsibilities that need to be taken care of. Many programs will allow you to attend your program at a time of day that works best for you. Additionally, the federal government requires that all employers give their employees time off to address medical issues if necessary.

“I don’t want to be around other addicts.”

Truthfully, rehab programs don’t always have the best reputations. Because many addicts are forced to attend treatment by the court system, some programs are filled with addicts who aren’t really trying to get clean.

There are, however, plenty of rehab facilities that only accept patients who are fully committed to fighting their addiction. If you are trying to overcome your battle with drug abuse, we recommend attending one of these programs. There, you’ll meet a group of like-minded people who share your struggles and can offer support as you work through the early steps to sobriety.

“It’s like taking away my freedom.”

One common misconception about rehab is that it’s like jail. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. You’re never forced to participate in rehab (unless it’s court-ordered, of course).

In some senses, however, rehab does provide a rigorous structure. When you’re on the facility campus, you’ll never have the option to pick up a drug or take a drink of alcohol. This absence of triggers is one reason why rehab success rates are so high. By eliminating the choice to relapse, addicts can spend time focusing on their recovery and prepare themselves for life outside of the facility.

Factors that Influence Rehab Success Rates

In addition to the length of treatment, there are a number of other factors that seem to impact how well rehab works for them. Some factors that can have an effect on the success of rehabilitation include:

• Stress levels - This one should come as no surprise. Stress is a huge trigger for drug addicts. If an addict deals with a lot of stress in their post-rehab life, it’s going to be more challenging for them to stay sober in the long run.
  
  If you’ve recently gotten out of rehab and have a particularly stressful life at home or work, you should make sure to attend 12-step meetings and connect with other addicts that can support you. Accountability and support can be great ways to ensure that you stay sober no matter how stressful life gets.
• Age - For some reason, people under the age of 30 are responsible for much higher rehabilitation success rates than folks older than 30. It is likely that this fact can be attributed to the classic saying: old habits die hard. When someone has been using a drug for several decades, it is obviously going to be much harder for them to quit than someone who has only been using for a few years.
  
  This is not to say that older people can’t quit using. It’s just going to take a little more commitment and support for them to get clean and stay that way.
• Other addictions - As you can imagine, a patient who is addicted to more than one substance is going to have a much more difficult time kicking their habits. An alcoholic who is also struggling with a cocaine addiction not only has to go through alcohol withdrawals but also needs to deal with the side effects of cocaine detox.
  
  Even cigarette smoking has been shown to increase the likelihood of a relapse. We know that you cigarette smokers don’t want to hear this, a recent study conducted at Harvard University showed that quitting smoking can improve your chances of staying clean.