Does Drug Rehab Work?
Because state budgets are pressed to the limit under the constraints of an economy on a downward trajectory, they are demanding that every organization receiving state funds stand up and declare how well they are using the funds they are requesting. Drug and alcohol rehabs are no exception. In an effort to determine how much they’ll invest in drug addiction treatment programs next year, states are demanding more evidence that treatment works.
Does Drug Treatment Work?
We’ve all heard the personal testimony of those who have undergone drug treatment. And in the absence of any other option in terms of breaking drug and alcohol addiction and moving forward in life as clean and sober individuals, those who have opted for drug rehab and succeeded will tell you that it works… if you’re ready to quit. However, if it worked for everyone, there wouldn’t be anyone who needed drug rehab more than once, and that is not the case. Drug and alcohol addiction are chronic in nature, and while we have medical treatments that can break physical addiction, there are a number of variables that will come into play when a person enters drug rehab in the hope of changing their life purposely.
Easier Said Than Done
It makes sense to ask for proof when annual spending on drug and alcohol addiction treatment is more than $20 billion. Unfortunately, it’s easier said than done. Because drug addiction is a chronic disease, it would take following people for a lifetime to get accurate data on how long they stay clean after rehab; if they relapse, how long that relapse lasts; the number of relapses thereafter and how long those last, as well as how many people returned to addiction.
Though there are studies that point to the effectiveness of drug and alcohol treatment for the first year or so after rehab, there aren’t too many long-term studies. Why not? Because funds are tight everywhere and no one has been spending the money on the research. Another reason is that there are no standards for this research. There are so many different types of treatment facilities—detox only, addiction treatment only, traditional rehab, alternative therapies, combinations—that it’s like comparing apples or oranges.
Is There Any Such Thing as Evidence-Based Practice?
Yes. Though it is hard to find studies that address drug rehabs across the board, some drug rehabs have research to show that some of the techniques and therapies they utilize are effective. The Canyon is one such example. Each of the therapies and treatments they employ have been proven effective on multiple levels in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction as well as certain psychological dual diagnosis disorders like anxiety or depression. If you have any questions about the efficacy of these programs, contact The Canyon today.
Tags: Alcohol Rehab, alcohol-addiction-treatment, Drug Addiction Treatment, drug-rehab
If you like this post subscribe to the feed or subscribe by Email