Addiction Coping and Recovery Overcoming Addiction Learn How Effective Drug Addiction Treatment Is By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial process Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on July 17, 2018 Print fstop123 / Getty Images In most cases, the goal of treatment for drug addiction or abuse is not only to get the person to stop using drugs but to also return the individual to a productive member of society. The goal of drug treatment is to not only to stop compulsive drug seeking and use but to help the patient become a functioning member of the family, more capable of becoming employed and improve his or her medical condition. Depending on the circumstances, the goal of drug treatment may also include reducing the criminal behavior of the addict. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Effective Drug Treatments According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, effective drug treatment should, at the very least, lead to the following outcomes: Reduced use of primary drugImprove employment functioningImproved educational statusImproved interpersonal relationshipsImproved general health and medical statusImproved legal statusImproved mental health status Therefore, to measure the effectiveness of drug treatment programs, the rate of abstinence is not the only factor to be considered, but also the functioning of the patient at home, work and in the community. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, research shows that overall drug treatment is as successful as treatment of other chronic diseases, such as asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Results of Drug Treatment Programs NIDA research shows that drug treatment programs can produce the following results: Reduce drug use by 40% to 60%Reduce arrests for criminal acts by 40%Methadone treatment reduces criminal behavior by 50%Reduces the risk of HIV infection.Increases the prospects of employment by 40% But, the NIDA is quick to point out that individual treatment outcomes can vary widely depending on many factors, including the patient's presenting problems, how well the treatment program addresses those problems and the extent to which the patient is actively involved in the treatment process. The Office of National Drug Control Policy's Treatment Protocol Effectiveness Study found that drug treatment programs work when "those who abuse drugs can be engaged and retained in treatment and when other needed services can be integrated with drug treatment itself and delivered to help clients resolve the range of problems that accompany their drug use. The 9 Best Online Therapy Programs We've tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Frequently Asked Questions. Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). Updated December 2012. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide. Revised 2007. Office of National Drug Control Policy. Treatment Protocol Effectiveness Study. Published March 1996.