Addiction Recovery Statistics: Understanding the Road to Recovery

Learn some important addiction recovery statistics to better understand what the path from addiction to recovery looks like for the average person.

Do you or someone you know suffer from addiction?

While challenging, don’t ignore it, especially when it’s tough to control. Recovering from an addiction can help lessen other chronic illnesses and improve your quality of life.

Not sure how the road to recovery works or what lies ahead? With these addiction recovery statistics, you or anyone with an addiction has the chance to rise up.

Is Addiction a Disease?

Many people may say that substance abuse is a disease of the brain. It’s a condition that can affect people’s lifestyles, mental health, and behavioral attitude. This applies to the medical community, too.

Willpower isn’t enough to stop addiction. People might want to say ‘no’ but feel forced to give in due to physical pain and other withdrawal symptoms.

What Are Some Addiction Recovery Statistics?

Alcohol, drugs, shopping, and other addictions can lead to health and financial problems. It can also lead people to act differently and cause relationships to fall apart.

About 40-60% of people who suffer from substance abuse will relapse.

This isn’t only for adults, either. In a recent study, about 11% of young students misused prescription medication. The majority of their drugs came from friends, family, and old prescriptions issued by doctors for a previous condition.

The same study showed that 30% took leftover drugs that got left behind in a medicine cabinet.

Prescription drugs aren’t the only enemies. As of this year, alcohol consumption continues to increase. Every year, alcohol is the leading cause of death for 5.3% of people worldwide.

Can You Treat Addiction?

Yes, you can treat addiction, if you’re committed!

There are multiple methods for treating addiction. Detox, which starts with drainage, is often the first step. There is also a period of medical assistance to help the patient deal with withdrawal.

Here’s a look at a few common methods:

1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

This therapy is short-termed, but it’s psychotherapy where the treatment is hands-on and practical. The goal is to change the pattern of behavior and to change how patients feel about it. It helps them recognize, avoid, and cope with their addiction.

2. Contingency Management

This therapy uses positive reinforcement for every step of recovering from addiction. Therapists provide rewards for attending sessions and for taking medication. People often break this method into steps, and reaching each step is a major milestone.

3. Twelve-Step Facilitation

This therapy has semi-structured therapies to engage them in twelve-step mutual support programs. It starts with going to sessions with family, then friends, and then those with similar problems. The therapy has the goal of acceptance, surrender, and active involvement in recovery.

4. Fight Against Addictions

The sooner you fight addiction, the better! You also don’t have to go through addiction recovery alone. With the right treatment, you can say goodbye to addictions for good.

Were these addiction recovery statistics able to convince you to go through therapy? We hope so.

But why stop here when you can read up on more health tips and advice? Check out more of our posts to get all the health guides you need!