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Purpose of Rehabilitation Facilities for Substance Abuse

In 2007, 2.4 million Americans age 12 years and older received treatment at a specialty center, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Rehabilitation facilities help individuals combat and overcome their substance abuse or addiction.

  1. Detoxification

    • When a substance abuser suddenly stops taking drugs, he experiences withdrawal symptoms. Rehabilitation centers can help to simplify the detoxification process by providing him with medications to suppress his withdrawal symptoms.

    Therapy

    • Rehabilitation facilities often offer behavioral therapy, which pinpoints the root of the addiction. Behavioral therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help the addict change his attitude toward drugs.

    Therapeutic Communities

    • Residential programs, such as therapeutic communities, are effective in treating individuals with serious drug problems; patients remain at the residence for six to 12 months.

    Motivational Incentives

    • According to NIDA, treatment programs experience the significant problem of treatment dropout. Some rehabilitation facilities provide motivational incentives, such as vouchers and coupons, to reward patients when they accomplish a certain period of abstinence.

    Social Impact

    • NIDA notes that addiction treatment programs undergo a return of $4 to $7 in decreased drug-related crime, theft and criminal justice prices for every $1 invested in the program.

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