Substance use disorders are highly treatable chronic health conditions, not moral failings or a lack of willpower. Evidence‑based treatment significantly improves the chances of achieving and maintaining recovery, especially when care is ongoing rather than a one‑time event.(Source)

However, it is difficult to assign a single “success rate” to addiction treatment because:

• There is no standard definition of success. Some programs define success as completing a rehab program, others as a certain period of abstinence, and others as improvements in health, relationships, and functioning.
• Follow‑up periods vary. A program that only tracks people for 30 days or 6 months after discharge will report very different numbers than one that follows people for several years.
• Recovery is a long‑term process. Like other chronic illnesses, substance use disorders often involve periods of remission and recurrence (relapse). A relapse does not mean treatment failed; it often means treatment needs to be adjusted.(Source)

Because of these differences, it is more accurate to talk about recovery outcomes and relapse rates than a single, simple success percentage. What matters most is finding a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan and staying engaged in recovery supports over time.