Success in drug rehab; relative to each addict

Where drug rehabs are concerned, how is success measured? Is it in how long a person remains drug-free, or how long it took to accomplish that, or how it was accomplished, or the fact that someone has “graduated” from a program?

For that matter, should “success” be measured at all? Doesn’t that automatically set some people up for failure, especially if the guidelines offered seem too stringent or too narrow?

Some personal thoughts and opinions on the matter. Feel free to respond.

Success begins when the person admits there is a problem. Success continues as the person works through the problem. HOW this is accomplished does not have any effect on success.

If the idea that success must be achieved seems to hinder more than it helps, then a recovering addict may wish to call it something else– “Reaching a goal” “entering a new phase of life”, whatever. As long as the feeling of accomplishment is recognized, that’s what important.

Along the same lines, sometimes, being “successful” tends to give the impression that something has been accomplished once and for all. So, if a relapse happens, the feeling that the success has been taken away can be overwhelming, to the point that someone may give up on ever becoming drug/alcohol free. Because of this, using other words or terms may prove to be a better suggestion.

All words have meanings; however, when the meaning of a word turns out to be a stumbling-block, wouldn’t it be better to substitute another word that might just fit better?

Besides, when it comes to drug rehabs, the only words that ARE important are DRUG/ALCOHOL FREE! (Especially the “free” one.)