How effective is drug rehab treatment?

Whether it involves illegal drugs, the misuse of prescription drugs or legal drugs such as alcohol, substance abuse is a serious problem throughout the UK.

People with addictions find it very difficult to overcome their substance abuse issues without professional help.

This is due to the very nature of addiction, which essentially rewires the way the brain functions and is characterised by a strong compulsion to continue to use the substance, despite any negative consequences.

Like other illnesses however, addiction can be successfully treated. Rehab is a prominent treatment option but just how effective is drug rehab treatment?

What are the success rates?

One issue in looking at the success rates of addiction treatment is determining what counts as ‘success’. Their has been much debate as if time spent sober constitute as success, or not displaying addictive behaviour, not necessarily having a drink on occasion represents success. A relapse does not necessarily mean treatment for addiction has completely failed.

Rather, it shows that treatment such as that received at a drug or alcohol rehab can provide a base for recovery, with further support required as the recovery process continues. NIDA points out that relapse rates for addiction resemble those of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma – yet treatment for those illnesses can be deemed successful without the chance of later relapse being considered.

An NHS report on the role of residential rehab in the recovery process used the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) definition of successful treatment as “being judged by a clinician to have overcome dependency on the substance for which the user is admitted to treatment, and no longer having a structured treatment need”.

The report noted that the best rehab providers had success rates in excess of 60%. The poorest had success rates as low as 20% however, which emphasised the importance of finding the right addiction rehab. Some recovering addicts with a substance use disorder also went on from rehab to access further treatment after relapsing and would go on to make a long-lasting recovery.

Factors to consider

Residential rehab is usually suitable for people with a serious addiction rather than a less serious drug abuse issue. Other treatment options – typically outpatient or community-based programs – may be better for people with milder substance issues.

The NHS report on residential rehab noted that people accessing this type of treatment would typically have:

• failed in community treatment more than once
• longer and more entrenched drug and alcohol misuse
• a range of problem substances
• more significant housing problems
• poorer physical and psychological health

This means that residential rehabs are typically helping people with the most severe drug and alcohol problems.

Why private treatment works

Even before you enter rehab, a comprehensive admissions process will assess your own unique requirements and situation so that a personalised treatment plan can be drawn up. All treatments offered at a private rehab are evidence-based and backed up by both research and experience in the field of addiction recovery.

Rehab programs can be delivered in a number of settings but inpatient rehab, where you stay within the treatment facility for the duration of the program, is generally the most effective. There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, you will be in a secure environment, away from the usual triggers associated with your substance misuse.

This allows you to really focus on this crucial part of your recovery, with full support, medication-assisted detox and a range of therapies aimed at helping you to address the root causes of your addiction to drugs.

You will be surrounded by trained professionals and experts in the field of addiction recovery, with the treatment program itself delivered in a structured way to make the most of your time in rehab. You will also benefit from a comprehensive aftercare program to help with relapse prevention after you leave the rehab.

Not everyone who undergoes drug rehabilitation makes a full recovery. There are still failure and rehab rates as there are with many other illnesses, but private drug rehab treatment still gives you the very best chance of making that full and long-lasting recovery.

The drug rehab treatment process

Some people turn up to rehab having not drank or taken drugs for a while but for most people,  drug rehab starts with a period of detoxification, more commonly known as just detox. This is the point at which you metabolise the drugs already in your system.

This is always better undergone in a supervised clinical setting as it can be accompanied by some very severe and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

There will also be a range of treatment options including talking therapies and psychological techniques such as group therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and one to one counselling. There may also be a range of complementary therapies aimed at improving overall health and wellbeing.

Mental health issues can sometimes be treated at the same time as addictions in an approach generally known as dual diagnosis treatment. An aftercare package with support groups and meetings can also be invaluable in terms of relapse prevention.

How to access private drug rehabilitation

There are many drug and alcohol rehab centres available across the UK and it can be a little bewildering trying to work through your options. Location is important but simply going for the nearest drug rehab is not always the best option.

You also want a place that is the right fit for you and your own individual requirements. Many rehab centres will offer transport to and from the facility and, as you will be staying on the premises, it might be worth considering one further afield.

At Action Rehab we work with a wide range of drug rehab centres and have a wealth of experience in matching individuals with the right rehab for them.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you to take the first steps to recovery and a healthier more positive future free from drugs or alcohol.

Posted on Friday, March 4th, 2022 at 3:41 pm in Alcoholism, Latest News.