Getting admitted to rehab has never been more addicting. As would be typical in the United States, rehab would involve consistent attendance at dreary meetings in a monotonous attempt to break an individual from their dependence on a substance, that being drugs or alcohol. This is an established practice; it is almost entirely unheard of to deviate from this norm. In Vancouver, however, a whole new approach is being taken by the government in an attempt to curb drug usage as well as drug violence. The process of rehabilitation is being reworked and refitted with a new, modern outfit.

Some points of view, such as those held by websites offering rehab programs, suggest that drug rehab facilities simply, “help drug addicts prepare to re-enter society.” (Rehabs) Not only does this idea challenge the structured, accepted interpretation of rehab, but it opens the door to many new possibilities regarding treatment. This also causes the definition of a “drug problem” to be somewhat vague, as there are certainly different viewpoints of all individuals involved with the issue. While some may think it is perfectly acceptable to still participate in recreational drug use if it does not inhibit their work lives, others would argue an opposing position, one that states that drugs must be ridden entirely from oneself for rehabilitation to truly occur. In either case, the system Vancouver is using seeks to fix the issue at hand.

Rehabilitation sets a goal for a plan to fulfill, and there are multiple ways to reach it. Whether that be completely ridding oneself of a substance or simply regulating usage so that it becomes manageable, recovery is the endpoint. Unfortunately for the current state of the world, the system of avoiding elimination in favor of dormancy is yet to become common, and rehabilitation remains synonymous with eradication of addiction.

Work Cited

• “What Is Drug Addiction Treatment?” What Is Drug Addiction Treatment?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Dec. 2012. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
• “Drug Rehab Treatment Information.” Rehabs.com. Rehabs.com, n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.