82% of Treated Drug Addiction Cases Relapse

Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM — A recent study indicated that the health and therapeutic centers that treat drug addicts are not based on the construction and design of remedial programs on age, scientific qualifications, and other variables.

The study, by researcher Abdul Salam Al-Asmari, reiterated the need to take advantage of the social and demographic variables, variables of age, or work, or qualification, in order to build and design treatment programs in health institutions, Al-Watan reported.

Al-Asmari’s study explains that recovery from addiction can be predicted through the addict’s personality traits, nervousness versus poise, and aversion vs. introversion, self-efficacy, as well as curiosity and discovery, the number of treatments and the type of material that the person may be taking. The study included both those who have recovered, and relapsed, patients going to recovery hospitals in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, and concluded that the recovery can be expected in 22.7 percent of cases, and a relapse is predicted in 82.3 percent cases.

Al-Asmari said age, work and educational levels are considered influential variables in the success of the recovery program. He pointed out that older patients are more inclined to stop using drugs and start a new life, and that the function of the patient is considered an important driver to return to normal life. “Helping the patient in creating jobs support him in regularly attending therapeutic meetings and support groups and adherence to the program to achieve the goal of recovery.”

(Source: SaudiGazette.com.sa)