Why it that so many Americans are not only addicted to be drugs or other substances, but they are also broke, despondent and feel like failures because they’ve sought treatment and failed? What does defeat and failure lead to, other than the overpowering desire to immerse you in the world of addiction? Could there be some link between these two statements?
In my opinion, the answer is an unqualified “yes.” The rehab industry has evolved to take advantage of people suffering from substance dependencies, as well as their families. Profit drives most drug rehab programs. Make no mistake, this has indeed become an industry and, unfortunately, it can be a very predatory one. The problem is twofold:
Issue One: Addicts and their families are often desperate for help.
Issue Two: It’s become almost an expectation that treatment will fail, or at least require multiple attempts before being successful.
The net result of this situation is that so-called rehab centers have popped up everywhere, frequently spouting all sorts of promises or discounted rates with little expertise to back the claims up. Desperate addicts jump at the cheap and easy solution, only to fail out of the program or make it through only to relapse a few months later. The clinics are only too happy to accept their patients back to pay for a second or third round through.
What is the solution? The bigger problems are not going away tomorrow, but you can protect yourself. Cut rates are no bargain if you have to take the program multiple times so look at cheap programs with caution. Ask for statistics on successful rehabilitation rates -over 75% is considered exemplary. Look around the facilities -a rental unit in a strip mall is not a good sign. Finally, find a program that readmits patients who quickly relapse, without requiring them to pay again.
Once a successful lawyer, Eleanor Jones injured a knee during a softball game and subsequently became addicted to the painkillers prescribed to manage post-surgical pain. She tried multiple drug rehab programs with little success and was ultimately disbarred. After finally succeeding in kicking her addiction, Jones vowed to help others avoid the pitfalls of recovery and has written a number of inspirational articles about drug rehab treatment.