The substance abuse problem, be it prescription drugs, alcohol, or illicit drugs, does not seem to be abating. This is despite global efforts to eradicate the source of the problem, and the treatment and rehabilitation programs made accessible by renowned healthcare organizations. Instead, the number of illicit and prescription drug abusers and alcoholics has steadily increased over a 10-year period from 2002 to 2013.
Is there something inherently wrong with the individuals who turn to drugs or alcohol? Or is there an inherent failure in the way drug and alcohol addiction is treated and managed? Or, even darker, are the supposedly safe havens of rehabilitation centers just not working enough to prevent individuals from returning to substance abuse?
Understanding Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is an integral component of healthcare services. An individual is given assistance to be able to return to his normal way of life before he was afflicted with a disease or an illness. When used in the context of drug rehab centers in St. George like Steps Recovery, it talks about the different therapies that are performed to enable the individual to function as normally as possible upon his release.
There are currently two schools of thought regarding the perceived ineffectiveness of drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers.
Addiction Relapses
It is believed that the observed ineffectiveness account for relapses in the individual’s behaviour. Experts believe that all disease conditions go into relapses.
One particular study revealed that drug addiction and alcoholism relapses occur in about 40 to 60% of patients, significantly higher than the relapse profile of diabetes patients with 30 to 50 percent and lower than those with asthma or hypertension with 50 to 70 percent chance of relapses.
Therapies not Based on Evidence
Some experts believe that the number of rehabilitation case failures can be attributed to the predisposition of rehabilitation facilities to be solely focused on psychobehavioral approaches to addiction rehabilitation.
While these therapies are geared towards preparing individuals to lead as normal a life as possible upon their release back into society, it does not help their physiologic symptoms. Evidence-based pharmacotherapy is deemed to be an important missing link in ensuring that drug and alcohol rehabilitation will be effective.
Given these two schools of thought, you can decide whether rehabilitation centers are effective or not. While statistics clearly show that more and more people are getting addicted every day, it does make sense to think that the whole program is a failure. However, before jumping to any conclusions, it is always best to look at established pieces of evidence.
