The Importance of Drug Rehab

While celebrity rehab pools seem to be the rage, the reality is that substance abuse and addiction is a major problem in 21st century society. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2006, 23.6 million Americans (ages 12 and older), needed drug addiction treatment and only 4 million received that treatment. Of that figure, only 2.5 million received treatment at a specialty treatment facility such as a hospital, drug or alcohol rehab center or a mental health center. The remainder received treatment through self-help groups, jail, private doctors, or other methods.

In addition to the obvious health risks associated with some drugs, abuse can lead to higher risk behavior or impact the course of existing problems. Some of the more common medical problems associated with drug abuse include cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and lung disease. The spread of diseases such as hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases are amplified by the behaviors associated with drug abuse.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the 2002 estimated costs to society for illicit drug abuse was $181 billion. When alcohol and tobacco costs are added, the total exceeds $500 billion annually. This figure includes healthcare and criminal justice expenses as well as lost productivity. Successful drug rehabilitation reduces these figures. Every dollar spent on rehab programs reduces the cost of drug-related crimes by $4 - $7. In some programs, the savings ratio is more than $12:$1.

The main purpose of drug rehab is to break the cycle of addiction. Only then can an addict begin to function normally in daily life. The additional risks associated with drug abuse can be addressed as part of the rehabilitation process: psychological, legal, financial, and social elements can all contribute to the destruction of an addict’s life.

While there are several types of treatment and recovery, including the do-it-yourself cold turkey crowd, professional rehabilitation programs can draw on experience, research, and community to increase the odds of success. In the United States alone, there are over 11,000 treatment facilities that provide specialized programs.

Detoxification is usually the first step in the drug rehabilitation process. Some rehabilitation programs employ anti-addictive drugs that either replace the drug’s effects, thus allowing for a weaning of the addict’s need, short circuit the cravings, or induce unpleasant effects when combined with the drug. Other programs provide a restrictive environment that eliminates access to the drug and provides psychological and emotional support during a detox program.

During and after detoxification, it is critical that individuals receive behavior treatment that addresses the psychological, emotional, and social roots of their addictive behavior. Individual and group counseling, occupational therapy, social and community-building activities, even exercise, wilderness, and artistic activities can all help stabilize an addict and help them learn the skills necessary to function without their drug of choice.

Additional elements of drug rehabilitation programs address the legal and financial effects of abuse. There may be court dates and restitution required. Community service or job training may be needed. For young addicts, education needs must be considered as part of successful rehabilitation. There also may be medical treatment required for conditions caused or aggravated by the drug abuse. Rehabilitation should address all the needs of the addict in order to ensure ultimate recovery.

To return to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2.8 million people used an illicit drug within the twelve months prior to the survey. That is an average of 8,000 new users a day. More than half of those new users were under the age of 18. Understanding the importance of drug rehab programs and finding methods of ensuring successful completion of these programs by the millions of untreated addicts continues to be a priority.

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