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Written by Marcel Gemme C.C.D.C

The Problem with Outpatient Drug Rehabilitation Programs in Canada's Rural Areas

If someone is done with a residential program and immediately enroll in an outpatient program, where he will receive additional counseling and learn the skills they need to avoid being tempted by drugs and lead a productive and clean life. If an addict lives in one of Canada's most densely populated areas, this is not a problem; there are usually several different outpatient drug rehab programs that they can choose from. However, if the addict resides in a rural area, the nearest program could be thousands of miles away, too far for the addict to participate actively in the program.

Outpatient drug rehab centers are non-residential facilities that a person goes to on a drop in basis. When the courses, meetings or counseling are over, the person can go back home.

In contrast to residential facilities, outpatient drug rehab centers are recommended for drug addicts or alcoholics that do not have a severe addiction. However, an outpatient facility is always a risk as the addict will go back to his normal environment after his courses, meetings or counseling. This can lead to further drug use.

Drug rehab centers Canada has done some research of different outpatient facilities. We did not find any notable success rates as far as outpatient treatments are concerned. From our investigation, one of the common reasons for this is that aftercare is substandard or non-existent in most cases. Furthermore, the number of patients who finish outpatient drug rehab programs is low. Many circumstances can happen daily to cause the addict to decide not to return to the program.

When an alcoholic or a drug addict has a craving, they need to have someone to help them through it. If an addict can go back to his or her environment (that triggers his addiction) daily, the chances of relapse are very high. If an addict uses drugs while in treatment, he/she may feel failed in their attempt to get clean and can fall into further recidivism.

^{Source: http://hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/drugs-drogues/learn-renseigne/index-eng.php}