Inpatient versus Outpatient Drug Treatment
             The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the topic of drug treatment centers. Specifically it will discuss the effectiveness of inpatient versus outpatient drug treatment and the success rate for inpatient versus outpatient treatment. Drug treatment centers are continually in the news, especially with the prevalence of famous people who use them to detox from drugs and alcohol addictions. Just recently, Hollywood stars Mel Gibson and Robin Williams noted they would enter treatment programs for their addictions, one an inpatient facility (Williams), and one in outpatient treatment (Gibson). Their success rate in kicking their addictions relies on many things, but the statistics show that Williams, by choosing an inpatient treatment center, has a better chance for success in kicking his addiction. However, the overall success rate of any treatment program, whether inpatient or outpatient, still leaves room for improvement.
             Drug treatment centers exist in just about every city in America today. They have been a way for patients to receive treatment for drug and alcohol addictions since the beginning of the 20th century. Treatment goals do not end with inpatient or outpatient treatment, but continue throughout the patient's life, as this early treatment goal notes,
             Success in enabling the patient...to become (for the time being) independent of the drug must be regarded as the completion of the first stage of treatment. For permanent cure, a prolonged period of aftercare is necessary, in order to educate the patient's willpower and to change his mental outlook. Attention must also be paid to the possibility of improvement in the patient's social conditions (Mott, 2004, p. 20).
             Thus, the inpatient or outpatient center is simply the catalyst for change, and for success, the patient must continue to follow the steps and guides learned throughout the treatment...