Call 888-647-0579 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.

Who Answers?

Understanding Why People Leave Drug Treatment

If you or a loved one is addicted to drugs and enters into treatment it’s important that you understand that not all types of drug treatment are effective for all people and often times people leave drug treatment for a number of different reasons that are and are not always related to their addiction. The reasons why people leave drug treatment may range from personal reasons to addiction related reasons or a number of other situations.

People Leave Drug Treatment Because They Have a Difficult Time in Drug Detox

The very first step to any drug treatment program is to safely and effectively eliminate any physical dependence that the individual has on the drug which occurs during drug detox. When an individual has a difficult time during drug detox they will often choose to give up and leave the drug treatment program very prematurely. Withdrawal symptoms can become difficult to handle and for some they are not only difficult to cope with they can even be painful. If an individual can get past this initial phase of withdrawal and detox the chances of them completing drug treatment are much greater.

People Leave Drug Treatment Because They Don’t Get Along with the Staff and Other Patients

Sometimes, people go into drug treatment with the idea that it is going to be a walk in the park. Unfortunately, there are times that drug treatment center staff and the patients in the center do not get along with one another, have difference or find it difficult to co-exist. Another common problem is that the recovering addict may be argumentative when they first enter drug treatment which can lead to them having problems getting along with others. Again, if they can get past this argumentative state there is a good chance that the individual will remain in drug treatment long enough to recover.

People Leave Drug Treatment Because They Think They are Ready

Finally, a major reason why people tend to leave drug treatment early is because they think they have learned what they need and are ready to utilize their education and just do it. Unfortunately, drug addiction recovery takes time and sometimes even though a recovering addict thinks that they have what it takes to remain drug free, they just aren’t ready. Even those who finish drug treatment and exit a recovery program are highly vulnerable to relapse during the first year following treatment.

More Treatment & Detox Articles

Older and Wiser Doesn't Mean Knowing When to Stop Drinking

The old adage of “don’t do what I do, do what I say” may very well pertain to older adults when it comes to drinking. A small study of 42 adults, half between the ages of 40 and 75, and half aged 25 to 35, indicated that the older drinkers really may not know when….

Bi-polar disorder

The list of disorders is very unending. There are various different disorders that can be contracted by an individual. Most of the disorders largely affect the mental health of the patient. Bi-polar disorder is a similar type of disease affecting a large number of the total population around the world. Scientifically the Bi-polar disorder is….

Is 18 too young to drink a beer?

Is 18 too young to drink a beer? A group of college and university presidents and administrators have called for a public debate to rethink the legal drinking age in the United States. Some of them openly support lowering the age to 18 from 21; others are truly looking for help in dealing with a….

Time for Drug Treatment to Rattle Its Saber

In an effort to recast substance abuse as more of a public health problem than a crime, the nation’s newly appointed drug czar has called for an end to talk of a “war on drugs.” “Regardless of how you try to explain to people it’s a ‘war on drugs’ or a ‘war on a product,’….

Treatment Options for Veterans

Many veterans experience the ravages of war and combat first-hand. Most anyone put through these types of experiences carries some form of emotional and even psychological scarring. Couple this with the wide range of physical injuries that take place, and it is little wonder drug addiction affects so many veterans in one form or another…..