This is a much-analyzed topic. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse indicates it’s one of the most frequently-asked questions by teens trying to understand the disease. The short answer is no, addiction can’t be “cured.” But similar to other chronic health conditions, it can be treated and managed well for a lifetime.
If the Answer Is “No” Why I’m I Still Reading This?
Great point! To help reduce the stigma surrounding addiction, it’s critical to understand it from a health perspective and recognize that with proper, individualized treatment, positive changes happen.
If you’re a family member or friend concerned about someone with substance use disorder (SUD) or alcohol use disorder (AUD), or you have these conditions yourself and wonder if you’ll ever be “cured,” let’s explore another chronic illness, diabetes, to see the multiple ways it presents, how the medical community approaches it—and why addiction treatment is similar.
Chronic Conditions Require Daily Attentive Care
Approximately 1.6 million people in the U.S. have Type 1 diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that “Type 1 is thought to be the result of an autoimmune response, where your body attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin.”
- For a few people, there’s a genetic predisposition to the disease, but not always.
- Sometimes it’s also caused by an infection, which “triggers the autoimmune response.”
- The CDC states that managing Type 1 diabetes and the required medical insulin is a daily, lifelong mission.
Although the scientific community continues to search for a cure, people with Type 1 currently rely on consistent lifestyle habits to maintain quality blood sugar levels, have strong support groups, and do what they can for healthy mental and emotional stability as well to manage their physical health effectively.
About 37 million Americans have Type 2 diabetes. The CDC reports that the condition “often develops over several years and can go on for a long time without being noticed—sometimes there aren’t any noticeable symptoms at all.”
- Again, once diagnosed, it requires daily, self-managed care with guidance from health care professionals.
- Some people require medication combined with proper diet and exercise, while others can significantly reduce their risk of complications with committed diet and exercise alone.
A key factor in both cases is effective stress management, a strong support network, and a progressive attitude toward mental and emotional health. Can Type 2 diabetes be cured? While some medical practitioners state it can go into remission with the right treatment approach, they also reinforce that once a person’s body has been compromised by the disease, it’s something to be mindful of for the rest of their lives; otherwise, it returns.
Classified as chronic brain diseases, AUD and SUD are quite similar to both types of diabetes:
- Some people have a genetic predisposition to addiction and other risk factors, while others don’t, yet they still develop it.
- Certain individuals have an easier time avoiding behavioral triggers with progressive attention to daily wellness habits, while others might require additional specialized addiction treatment along with methods to prevent relapse.
- A particular level of conscious awareness is required to stay healthy every day. AUD and SUD can’t effectively be managed on autopilot.
When a person completes detoxification and rehabilitation treatment, then they begin managing their disease in earnest. Many people maintain sobriety for life, but there’s a lot of truth to the 12-Step motto, “one day at a time.” The good news is that millions of people manage diabetes and live full, rich lives, and so do millions of individuals who’ve progressed beyond addiction.
Why Individualized Treatment Matters
It’s practically a certainty: addiction treatment that’s successful for one person won’t be as effective for another, which makes a “cure” for AUD and SUD twice as challenging. Why? Because of a multitude of variables such as, but not limited to:
- Genetics
- Contributing environmental and societal risk factors and anti-risk protection factors
- Emotional, mental, and physical health
- Types of substances used and for how long
- A history adverse childhood experiences, trauma, and abuse
- Current state of stressors
If there was one formula that could successfully (and uniformly) address all of these variables, addiction would be cured. Unfortunately, it doesn’t exist.
What’s most often effective is a whole-person system of treatment that takes into account not only the variables above, but also each person’s unique background, potential root causes of AUD and SUD, co-occurring disorders, and other aspects of self. Then, addiction science professionals design an individualized continuum of care plan that incorporates various methods of treatment.
It’s important to note that some persons might require a more lengthy stay in rehab, or have to return to get to the core of their disease. At first, any variation like this might be considered as a failure to “cure” AUD or SUD.
But just like any other chronic illness, individuals with these conditions have a lot to learn about disease management, including what to ask of their care professionals and choosing methods that are more effective for them. Once their treatment plan is refined, they’ll have the right knowledge and techniques to successfully maintain a sober life of recovery filled with promise and possibilities.
Great Oaks: Invested in Your Recovery
You or your loved one deserves a multidisciplinary approach to drug and alcohol rehabilitation, featuring hands-on experience from highly trained professionals who specialize in alcoholism, drug addiction, and dual diagnosis. If you’re ready for this type of quality care, call our addiction rehabilitation facility just outside of Houston for a thorough consultation with our admissions team.
