I am in addictions therapist at a top tier residential drug and alcohol rehab. While sitting around the lunch table this afternoon someone mentioned that they heard that the patient census in residential drug rehabs across the country is at an all-time low.

We spent a good deal of lunch speculating on why this may be true. Certainly more people than ever need drug and alcohol rehab; but what has caused the sudden down turn in attendance? A plausible speculation was suggested that drug rehabs have been getting a very bad rap lately.

With celebrities and political figures treating them like weekends at the Marriott, perhaps there is a public backlash that is starting to believe that drug addiction treatment is ineffective. If true, that public perception would be detrimental to those who are sincere in their efforts to become sober. Entering drug and alcohol rehab has become the butt of jokes by late night comics. There seems to be an even bigger yo-yo effect than being on a starvation diet.

There is no question the drug addiction treatment works. It works best for those who are actively seeking actual drug treatment. Perhaps some people are using drug rehabs as contract negotiation ploys, to mitigate or reduce legal sentencing, or just to hide out and escape responsibilities.

If these are the reasons that people entered drug rehab, it is no wonder that they are soon drinking or drugging again. I believe that every single person has the ability to never drink or drug again, but it takes time and absolute prioritizing of commitment to abstinence to do so. For additional information relating to locating a quality drug rehab, you can call the national addiction helpline at 1-800-99-DETOX.