What Is the Success Rate of Alcohol Rehab Centers?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex chronic disease with a difficult recovery process. Millions have turned to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its 12-step program or similar peer-based recovery support programs to help them return to sober living. However, alcohol use often goes hand-in-hand with physical and mental illnesses. Without an effective rehab program that addresses co-occurring disorders, the chance of relapse is high.

Some studies report relapse rates for alcohol as high as 80 percent during the first year after treatment. Everyone’s addiction recovery is different, but a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program customized to meet each person’s unique needs can lead to a higher treatment success rate.

What Does a Successful Recovery Mean?

obvious – they abstain from alcohol or drugs. However, just like substance use disorder is complicated, so is determining whether a person's treatment is successful.

The metrics used to determine success can vary across addiction treatment centers. Most accredited rehab centers collect measurable, verified outcomes that indicate abstinence rates and care satisfaction.

Rehab success rate measures include:

• Abstinence rates at 1-, 6-, and 12-months post discharge

• Satisfaction with quality of life, relationships, and work at 1-, 6-, and 12-months post discharge

• Readmission rates within 30-, 60-, and 90-days post-treatment

• Program completion

What is the Recovery Rate from Alcoholism at Alcohol Rehab Centers?

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 15 million Americans struggle with alcohol use disorder. Unfortunately, just over 7% received treatment for the disease in the past year. For those who enter an alcohol or drug rehab facility, their time there must lead to success.

A vast number of studies from NIAAA, and other sources, highlight treatment success rates. The results vary by rehab program and include:

• 36% of people suffering from AUD recover after one year

• 70% of people with an AUD report low-risk drinking after a year

• 16% of individuals in recovery with AUD report abstinence after a year

• 60% of individuals who are sober for two years after AUD treatment achieve long-term sobriety

We believe the addiction treatment industry can standardize care for all people with substance use disorder (SUD) so that all parties - payers, referrers, families - can make informed decisions by establishing measurable, verified outcomes like 30-day/90-day readmission rates and abstinence rates at 12 months. When treating addiction as the chronic disease that it is, you take into consideration the patient's unique demands, including their mental, bodily, and spiritual requirements, as well as those of their family and the length of time. Recovery rates tend to be lower for people with severe dependence and lifetime alcohol dependence.

• Caron’s 30-days post-treatment readmission rates were 4.5% vs. 9.6% for other providers.

• Caron’s 30-day post-treatment rate of recovery was 95.5% vs. 90.4% for other providers.

• Caron’s 90-days post-treatment readmission rates were 9.1% vs. 19.8% for other providers.

• Caron’s 90-day post-treatment rate of recovery was 90.9% vs. 80.2% for other providers.

• Caron reports that 91% of their patients are very satisfied/satisfied with their quality of life, relationships, and work environment 12 months post-discharge.

• Caron reports that 79% of their patients maintain abstinence 12 months post-discharge.

Factors that Drive Successful Substance & Alcohol Rehabilitation

A tailored, patient-centric treatment plan is the first step in ensuring someone with substance and alcohol addiction achieves and maintains recovery. Successful substance and alcohol recovery centers offer quality, interdisciplinary treatment protocols and access to recovery resources not available outside a rehab program.

The risk of relapse after treatment for AUD increases in people with concurrent mental health conditions, like anxiety. For this reason, treating AUD as a disease and treating the body and mind leads to higher success rates.

Key elements critical for a successful recovery include:

• Formal treatment programs (inpatient and outpatient options) with trained medical professionals who also manage chronic diseases and other healthcare needs

• Assistance with dual diagnosis and primary or secondary mental health conditions

• Doctor-directed Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and medication management for detoxification and withdrawal support

• Individualized behavioral therapy to help change and redirect potentially destructive and unhealthy behaviors

• Group therapy and family therapy sessions

• Education around life skills, stress management, relapse prevention, and mindfulness

• Aftercare and follow-up resources

• Support groups

Caron's data supports a median residential treatment stay of 25 days combined with a long-term disease management plan as a successful treatment protocol.

Caron Treatment Centers Improves Your Recovery Success

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol use disorder, Caron can help you achieve lifelong recovery. Caron’s high-quality and compassionate alcohol use disorder treatment enables you to achieve and maintain recovery.

Contact us today to learn more about Caron’s substance use treatment, drug addiction treatment, and alcohol treatment programs.