Can Addiction Be Cured?

Can You Ever Be Fully Cured From Addiction?

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease of the brain, yet there are effective addiction treatments available. When treated successfully, a person can live their life in recovery without experiencing the hardships of chronic alcohol or drug consumption and addiction. However, being “cured” of addiction is different than “being in recovery.”

For many, it may feel that there is no hope of moving past addiction, but addiction treatment can be effective.

Being Cured Vs. Being In Recovery

A “cure” for a disease is defined as a treatment that, once given, does not allow the disease to come back or affect a person anymore. However, cures do not exist for many chronic diseases, including addiction.

Instead, addiction can be managed in an ongoing manner so that the person’s quality of life is not affected by the disease. Actively engaging with ongoing treatment is known as being “in recovery.”

Is Addiction Treatable?

Chronic diseases, such as addiction, are often preventable and treatable, but if left untreated, they can affect a person for their lifetime and may ultimately cause their death. If a person stops treatments or efforts toward recovery, then relapse is possible, just as it is with other chronic conditions.

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Relapse Rates For Addiction

Relapse rates for addiction are similar to other chronic illnesses. Approximately 40%-60% of patients with substance use disorders experienced a relapse, compared to about 50%-70% of people with hypertension or asthma who experienced a relapse.

Experiencing relapse is a normal part of recovery, and it does not mean that treatment has failed. In fact, a study published in Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research found the average number of relapse attempts to be over five attempts at recovery before sustained abstinence. Furthermore, the majority of people in the study only took two or fewer attempts before sustained recovery.

It is difficult to pinpoint exact addiction recovery success rates because no one knows exactly where they are on their journey to recovery; it’s a lifelong journey. Rather than defeat, relapse reveals a need to resume treatment, modify treatment, or try a different approach. Speaking with a doctor or another substance use disorder professional can help you discern what you need to return to recovery.

How To Treat An Addiction

The course of addiction treatment is determined on an individual basis along a continuum of care. No single treatment plan will work for everyone. Differences in personalities, life experiences, substances of misuse, severity of addiction, resources for support, and other factors impact a person’s needs for successful recovery.

A person may experience one or more levels of addiction treatment with a variety of interventions before graduating from an addiction treatment program. Typical levels of addiction treatment include the following:

• Medical detox includes services that help a person get through the initial stage of detoxifying their body from the substance of misuse. This stage can be difficult with potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Having professional help during detox can help get a person through it safely and make a smooth transition into additional addiction treatment.
• Inpatient treatment involves 24/7 care and support while a person lives at the treatment center. It may take place in a hospital or residential setting, providing structure, consistency, and resources to address even the most severe cases of addiction.
• Outpatient treatment allows a person to live at home during treatment. It can be intensive, involving several treatment hours per day, or more flexible with only a few hours of treatment per week. The intensity of treatment is determined based on a person’s needs and progress in recovery.
• Aftercare or continuing care may involve any program or intervention that helps a person maintain their commitment to recovery and avoid relapse after completing a formal treatment program. This stage may include building community through mutual aid groups, engaging with a recovery mentor, living in recovery housing, and other methods.

Throughout each level of addiction treatment, a person may experience several interventions to heal the brain and body. Addiction interventions may include:

• Behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, motivational interviewing, and others may help a person develop coping skills, the will to change, and the mentality to heal and fight for ongoing recovery.
• Treatment medication may help a person through detox, minimize their chance of relapse, minimize cravings, and find a way to stabilize their body while their mind heals.
• Holistic therapies and education may help a person find healthy activities they enjoy, ways to maintain inner peace, the knowledge base to make better decisions in the future, and other benefits while in recovery.

Each person’s journey to and through recovery is unique. The difficulties in a person’s recovery journey can make them stronger and more resolved to change. Choosing to engage with aftercare can play a large role in overcoming addiction.

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Can Addiction Be Overcome?

Addiction can be overcome with a variety of help after a formal treatment program.

Overcoming addiction and “being in recovery” may be viewed from a variety of perspectives. For most, the ability to maintain abstinence is considered to be the most significant part of their recovery. However, personal growth—including the ability to be honest with oneself, manage negative feelings without substance use, and enjoy life without substance use—is another essential part. Many support systems help people master their addictions and gain control over their lives again in the aftercare stage of addiction treatment.

Examples of ongoing recovery support include:

• Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and others, are often community-run groups freely accessible to anyone in recovery. With many meeting times and location options, they offer ongoing support, accountability, and flexibility for people trying to build a supportive community during and after treatment.
• Recovery coaches can help people connect to community services, offer personalized strategies to avoid relapse, help enroll in recovery housing and other services, and teach ongoing personal skill development to continue healing.
• Recovery housing is identified as a home that provides a substance-free environment, a structured home environment, and mutual support from others in recovery. Sober living and Oxford houses are two different types of recovery housing.
• Recovery management is often provided towards the end of an addiction treatment program. Recovery management may include periodic check-ins, ongoing prescription management, and other support for those desiring it.

While there is no easy “cure” for addiction, there are many ways to overcome it; just as treatment is highly individualized, the continued road to recovery is not the same for everyone. Life after addiction may be currently unfamiliar, but finding different rhythms of life that encourage healthy living may provide an unimaginably better quality of life in the future.

How To Find A Treatment Center

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, there is hope for long-term healing. To find addiction treatment options and the right plan for healing, reach out to a treatment provider today. They can help answer your rehab-related questions and explore your treatment options to get you started on the road to recovery today.