Does Drug Rehab Really Work?

Individuals suffer with many kinds of addictions.  Some are hooked on recreational drugs like heroin or cocaine, while others are addicted to painkillers or other prescription medications.  Others turn to alcohol for comfort.  For all of those who are struggling with addiction of one kind or another, drug rehab programs may be the answer.



There are so many different types of drug rehab programs available to abusers.  Which ones really work and are the results long-lasting?  Is it better to join an inpatient program, or is an outpatient program more appropriate for your addiction or the addiction of your loved one?

The overall success of drug rehab depends not only on choosing the right program but also on the individual’s desire to kick the habit as well as the ongoing support of family and friends.

When researching statistics on the success of inpatient drub rehab programs, one finds that most of facts and figures are released by the facilities themselves, so it’s best to approach them with a bit of skepticism and do a little more digging on your own.

A number of very reputable inpatient centers do indeed boast a success rate of somewhere in the range of 75-85%.  Many experts note their belief that these figures seem a bit high. 

The average success rate for those who complete all aspects of their assigned programs, both inpatient and outpatient, seems to be around 50%, according to statistics compiled by government organizations.  However, this does not account for the large number of drug abusers that drop out of their chosen or assigned programs before they are completed.  This would lower the success rate drastically.

Other reports note that approximately 15% of all addicts, notably those in the early stages of addictive behavior, should be able to recover with little or no support, but drug abuse experts often find issue with these numbers. 

It has been documented, however, that 90% of alcoholics who participate in some sort of drug rehab process, be it an inpatient facility, counseling, or a 12-step program, will suffer a setback at least once in the first four years of their recovery period.  Experts note, nonetheless, that this doesn’t necessarily mean recovering alcoholics will not eventually be successful, especially when supported by a solid rehab program.