Heroin addiction has been on the rise over the past 10 years. Statistics published in a report from SAMHSA in2019 showed that more than 800,000 people confessed that they used heroin in 2018. This statistic shows a sharp rise from the 153,000 people who said they used heroin in 2007 in a report published by DrugFreeWorld.org. While heroin use is on the rise, the good news is that people are on the path to recovery from heroin addiction daily.
What Percentage of Heroin Addicts Recover?
Heroin addiction can be treated, and the disease can be managed effectively so that the patient can return to a productive and fulfilling life. There hasn’t been enough research to establish a stable heroin recovery rate for every patient. The probability of full recovery varies depending on the level of addiction, the type of treatment adopted and the support the patient has after treatment starts.
A study of Vietnam veterans who developed addictions to heroin showed that they had a reasonably high recovery rate. After three years, only two percent of the men were still using heroin. Other research conducted on addicted people over 33 years showed that over 53% of those who were still alive abstained from using heroin, while about one in five had a relapse.
The recovery rate for patients with heroin addiction depends on the type of addiction treatment they receive. Everyone responds differently to different methods of therapy, so it’s very important for the treatment to be personalized and tailored to suit the unique needs of each individual. In almost all cases, the heroin recovery rate is higher when the treatment is individualized.
Can Heroin Addicts Ever Really Recover?
Heroin addiction is a disease that alters the way the brain works. While there’s no permanent cure for this disease, patients who undergo treatment can recover from heroin addiction. While the relapse rate is quite high, many individuals have been able to abstain entirely from heroin use.
How to Increase the Rate of Heroin Recovery?
When a patient starts treatment for heroin addiction, they can take certain steps to increase their chances of a successful recovery, including:
- Choosing the right type of treatment program
- Combining different proven methods of treatment, including medically assisted therapy, counseling and group support
- Remaining committed until the treatment is completed
- Having a plan to prevent relapse
Contact a BAART Programs Center in Your Community
To get help for addiction recovery from heroin use, get in touch with your nearest BAART Programs center. You can also reach us now by completing our contact form or calling 844.341.4040.
