When I decided to go for treatment for my alcohol abuse I wanted to find the best method possible; especially if I was going to pay money for it. I researched programs online and noticed statistics seemed largely inflated for some centers. We all know statistics can easily be manipulated based on the criteria used to calculate them, and most centers or programs set up these statistical parameters on their own. (very misleading and unethical).

How could anyone study and give statistics for the success rate of any recovery method? I dont think It could accurately be done and here is why.

What would be the measure of success? Would it be a certain amount of years of sobriety without a relapse? What would be a fair measure of time, from the time you enter till you die seems the only absolute measure of time. Decreased or removed cravings for alcohol?

What would be the measure of failure of a program? Relapse? Continued cravings?

Who would be the neutral party to determine these measures of success? It could obviously not be advocates of a particular treatment method. (Would you trust statistics from a drug manufacturer).

I notice these unfair parameters quoted by some people over and over again and their arguments hold as much water as a sieve.

If we looked at it this way no one can give fair argument as to their preferred method of staying sober as the most effective method.

While this does not matter for those who are currently sober and successful at it (who cares what works for someone else, what Im doing works for me). Who it does matter to is the person still unsure about finding a solution and looking for advice.

To these people; dont be fooled by something that seems too good to be true, because it usually is. Do your research and follow your gut. There are not tried and true methods that work any better than the next. The true measure is the willingness to quit for good.