Comments on: Only 5% Of Addicts In Recovery Make It, Baloney, Addiction Treatment Works: Here Are The Facts

By: reneekelsey

reneekelsey — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:48:27 +0000

The 5% was at the 5-year benchmark. I was able to find this on 1-year benchmark for alcohol addiction.

The Harvard Mental Health Letter, from The Harvard Medical School, stated quite plainly:

On their own
There is a high rate of recovery among alcoholics and addicts, treated and untreated. According to one estimate, heroin addicts break the habit in an average of 11 years. Another estimate is that at least 50% of alcoholics eventually free themselves although only 10% are ever treated. One recent study found that 80% of all alcoholics who recover for a year or more do so on their own, some after being unsuccessfully treated. When a group of these self-treated alcoholics was interviewed, 57% said they simply decided that alcohol was bad for them. Twenty-nine percent said health problems, frightening experiences, accidents, or blackouts persuaded them to quit. Others used such phrases as “Things were building up” or “I was sick and tired of it.” Support from a husband or wife was important in sustaining the resolution.
Treatment of Drug Abuse and Addiction — Part III, The Harvard Mental Health Letter, Volume 12, Number 4, October 1995, page 3.
(See Aug. (Part I), Sept. (Part II), Oct. 1995 (Part III).)

By: Nellie

Nellie — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:46:57 +0000

you metioned 77 % recovery at one year but you failed to mention the recovery rate for 5 years. I believe it is much lower for these same people. Many if they have the money have to go through several long term programs.
Then there are the programs that are available to the poor. Not so good. I believe it only works when one decides to change their direction because they wake up and realize the way they have been going is not wortking and they truly want change.

By: Twitch@Biker Clothes

Twitch@Biker Clothes — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 08:41:23 +0000

This is a good article. Hopefully it will change some people’s thinking about addiction recovery. I was already aware from personal experience but it’s good you’re spreading the word.

By: Jonathan Aston@School Badges

Jonathan Aston@School Badges — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:17:07 +0000

Great statistics. I also knew about 5% or 10 % fact. But this statistics is fully reverse of my thinking which is good. But the main fact is full treatment not only rehab or not only detox.

By: Harley Davidson Bedding

Harley Davidson Bedding — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:19:37 +0000

It is so sad, but I think this is the pure truth. Sometimes the pure truth hurts ! Nice post Bill
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By: Addiction Treatment Centers

Addiction Treatment Centers — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:56:35 +0000

Anybody with self confidence can only able to recover from the Addiction problem.

By: Bill Urell

Bill Urell — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:03:49 +0000

Thanks Adi, It was an eye opener to hear him speak. I am a bit old school and there is certainly more resistance out there than there should be with evidence backing up new findings.

By: April

April — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:35:20 +0000

Recovery is very hard and I think one thing that will play a big role in those statistics is how many people you had as support, if you have none or even as little as 2 then it might be lower. But if you have 10..15..or even more the statistic will probably go up. It will probably change a lot based on who those people supporting you are and how much they mean to you. For all of these reason I really hate to look at statistics, because stats don’t give you the full picture.
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By: Adi Jaffe

Adi Jaffe — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:52:12 +0000

A great article – McLellan has been a great supporter of maintenance for a long time. I’m hoping that the rest of the industry will catch up soon. We’ve recently written an article on the benefits of even quarterly (as in 4 times a year) check-ups. I do little other than statistics in addiction research and I can tell you that length of treatment is one of the best predictors out there for success (along with employment).