Recovery Statistics: What Works?

Science has not yet found a cure for addiction, and relapse is a relatively common part of the recovery process. However, research on what makes recovery more “successful” indicates that certain factors may contribute to increasing the chances of avoiding relapse or increasing the period of sobriety before relapse occurs. Some of these factors are discussed below. Although following the guidelines below may be helpful, please realize that doing so is not necessarily a “guarantee” for success.

Replacement Drugs/Treatment Medications According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), research indicates that behavioral therapy in combination with certain medications may be more effective at treating addiction than behavioral therapy alone (Read Living with a Replacement Drug). Medications, however, were never intended to be a replacement for rehab and other treatment options.

Length of Treatment Studies suggest that, for certain substances, the longer the treatment period, the better the outcome. Although 30-day programs have been a standard for many years, an increasing number of facilities are offering extended programs of 90 days or longer. Spending more time in a rehab facility increases the recovering addict’s opportunities to learn new life skills and distance themselves from the addiction both physically and emotionally. But remember, shorter treatment is better than no treatment at all; therefore, you shouldn’t necessarily put off treatment entirely in an effort to save for a longer program (Read How to Pay for Rehab).

Avoiding Stressful Situations Stressful situations can be a major trigger for relapse, and some of the neurocircuits involved in creating a response to stress overlap with those that create a response to addictive substances. When a stressful situation occurs, a peptide called corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is released in the brain, and this may increase a recovering addict or alcoholic’s craving for the substance. Unfortunately, it is impossible for anyone to lead a life completely free from stressors. However, becoming more aware of who or what is causing stress in your life and making conscious attempts to avoid those people or situations can decrease your chances of relapsing on the substance.

Support Groups Joining a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous can increase the chances that an addict will successfully overcome addiction. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMSHA), frequency of attendance also plays a role: the greater the involvement in one or more of these groups, the greater the chances of recovery.

Avoiding People, Places, and Things Associated with the Addiction Past people, places, and things that the recovering addict associates with any moment of their addiction can catalyze relapse. It is important to fill these gaps with new relationships, activities, and environments to decrease the chances of being reminded of the past (Read How to Get the Most Out of a Sober Life).