Why are Recovery Rates for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction so Low?

I was talking to someone the other day and they said treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction is waste of money because recovery rates are so low. Something like 5% I think they said. How true is that because I was thinking of possibly going to a treatment center myself for a drinking problem that has been getting worse for the last few years?

Answer

Whether 5% is true or not I can’t say. I don’t think any set of statistics for the treatment of drug addiction and alcoholism are comprehensive enough to give a totally accurate picture. However I do know that recovery rates are quite low, so the question is why?

You need to understand that the treatment of an addiction is only the first step in achieving lasting sobriety. The work and effort that you put into your recovery once you’ve left treatment are ultimately the critical factors in determining whether you’ll manage to avoid relapsing and build a new alcohol free life for yourself.

And that’s the crux. Many addicts that go through treatment just aren’t ready to make the changes or put in the work they need to, to stay sober. That’s where your attitude and determination come into it. If you want sobriety badly enough, you’ll make it happen.

Many, even those that go through treatment, don’t. Hence the low recovery rates. And for some to get to the point where they really are ready to quit, just takes longer, hence the cycle of stop-relapse, stop-relapse continues until they’ve made the internal shift to quit drinking for good.

So I think going to treatment is a great idea and I encourage you to go. Just remember though, what you put in is directly proportionate to what you’ll get out in the end because there is no quick fix or magic cure.

Best of luck and take care

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