Addiction and mental illnesses are no joke, and in fact, many times they go hand-in-hand. People with a mental illness are twice as likely to abuse drugs compared to the general population. At least 20% of people with a mental illness have a co-occurring substance abuse problem. Similarly, people with substance use problems are up to three times more likely to have a mental illness, and more than 15% of people with a substance abuse problem have a co-occurring mental illness.

Drug abuse rehab centers are the main source of treatment for many of those that suffer. These centers offer a safe space for rehabilitation and often have a variety of amenities to keep the mind busy during the rehabilitation process. While drug abuse rehab centers are extremely important for revival and survival, they certainly aren’t cheap. Substance abuse has cost the Canadian health care system $8 billion. These costs can be heavily attributed to the over-consumption of alcohol: alcohol is now the third leading cause of the global burden of disease and injury, and a study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), found Canadians drink more than 50% above the global average. With rates like these, drug rehab centers are crucial to ensure the physical and mental health of Canadian citizens.

Despite the nation’s efforts, 47,000 Canadian deaths are linked to substance abuse annually. These numbers, although tragic, can be reduced upon admittance into drug abuse rehab centers. But admittance isn’t enough – the drug rehab process must be completed for there to be a significant drop in relapse rates. And these disorders are not restricted to a certain gender. While men have higher rates of addiction than women, women have higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders. While researching rehab centres, it’s important to keep in mind the atmosphere and environment. Some patients may want to opt for a gender-specific drug abuse rehab center, especially if they have a history of trauma involving a person of the opposite gender.

Overall, when it comes to drug abuse rehab centers, recovery and sobriety are the ultimate goals. These programs are designed to totally change an addict’s state of mind, figure out why they turned to drugs in the first place, and supply them with the knowledge and courage they need to return to a normal and healthy life.