Many people mistakenly believe that achieving abstinence at the end of an addiction treatment program signifies accomplishment. Abstinence from alcohol and drugs is one measure of treatment effectiveness, but it is not the only one. According to common assumptions, therapy for drug abuse does not mean that an individual is “cured” of their addiction. The goal of recovery is to kick the habit and lead a healthy, productive life, even if there are setbacks. When determining whether or not someone is successful, they don’t have to stop taking drugs to do so. Significant advances in a multitude of areas, instead, are used to judge its success.
Measurement of Addiction Treatment Outcomes
Addiction is a long-term condition defined as a drug use disorder in medical terms. Because there are no known solutions, this suggests it’s at par with other chronic illnesses like hypertension or diabetes. Addiction, unlike hypertension, affects the brain instead of the body, making it more difficult to measure changes. An essential part of addiction therapy monitoring is asking patients how they feel and think. For this reason, many rehabilitation centers measure success on their own terms since there are no internationally acknowledged benchmarks for therapeutic efficacy.
Criteria for Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Treatment
The ONDCP explains what treatment is expected to accomplish. A person who has been successfully treated for addiction has the specific traits:
- Employment or educational advancement, as well as increased attendance
- Relapse rates decline, and the time between relapses gets longer.
- Enhanced legal status, such as the completion of probation or the commission of fewer offenses
- Less medical visits which indicate improved physical health;
- A better social and family life; improved ties with family and loved ones
Reasons for Failing Addiction Treatments
- An error in the diagnosis.
As we’ve demonstrated, not everyone receives the proper treatment because of a misdiagnosis. Clients may appear to have a substance abuse problem, but they may be dealing with an undiagnosed mental illness.
- Lack of aftercare treatment
One of the most popular misconceptions regarding substance abuse is that it can be cured in a treatment center within 30 days. Many people feel that if they somehow stop, they would be able to stay paused for the rest of their lives. Long-term treatment is required for addiction recovery. Addiction symptoms will reappear if the sickness is not handled. Many patients exit therapy without resolving their addiction issues. Addiction treatment should be ongoing.
- Chronic Relapsers
Alternatively, you may be an addict who has already relapsed. Treatment resistance develops in relapsers who’ve been relapsing over an extended period. The feelings of humiliation, regret, fury, dread, and loneliness are among the emotions chronic relapsers are unwilling to own. When faced with these sensations, an alcoholic or addict would do everything to escape them. In most cases, this means abusing alcohol or other substances to change one’s perspective. Chronic relapsers are unlikely to stay clean after 30 days of abstinence.
Mallard Lake Will Help Get Your Life Back on Track
Get to the bottom of what’s not working. The examples presented above can teach you a lot. Another possibility is that you’re simply lying to yourself or your past because you don’t want to be honest. You’re in danger if you’re a relapser who thinks you can manage your dependence. Find a rehab like Mallard Lake Detox Center in Houston that has effectively helped chronic relapsers achieve long-term recovery if you or someone you care about suffers from this condition. Mallard is one of the best rehabs in Houston with a very high success rate.
