We read in the papers and watch T.V. as drug rehabs claim fabulous success rates. Some of the drug rehab programs in Malibu, California actually claim success rates upwards of 85% of their patients. With some of their more well known patients relapsing left and right, it is highly doubtful a drug rehab program actually has an 85% rate of recovery.

What is success in a drug treatment program?

A question I would like to see some of the drug rehabs in the country answer. A drug treatment program could claim success to be one year of continuous sobriety, successful completion of the drug treatment program or any other marker they chose to use. Remember we are treating a disease and relapse is almost always part of the disease, so maybe success is getting yourself back into rehab after you relapse.

In most cases relapse occurs within the first couple of months with only  about 20% of the people completing drug rehabs staying clean and sober for one continuous year. That does not mean these people don’t get back on track after their relapse, it just mean they didn’t stay sober.

Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery

While success rates in the drug addiction treatment world are not very good, there are a few things we know regarding drug treatment programs and recovery. The longer a person spends in a drug addiction treatment program the greater the likelyhood they will stay sober. The continuous support, combined with the healing of the brain work together to produce a person capable of making better choices and not acting as much on impulse.