What is the primary goal of substance use treatment?

The primary goal of substance use treatment is to achieve and maintain sobriety. This focus on sobriety is crucial because overcoming addiction and achieving a state of sustained recovery significantly improves an individual's overall well-being and quality of life. Sobriety serves as the foundation for individuals to rebuild their lives, engage in healthier activities, and repair relationships that may have been damaged due to substance use.

While improving physical health, lowering healthcare costs, and providing social support are important components of the broader treatment process, they are secondary to the fundamental aim of achieving sobriety. These components often contribute to the overall success of the treatment, as healthier physical state and social support systems can enhance recovery efforts, but the primary intention remains the cessation of substance use. Without achieving sobriety, the other potential benefits cannot be fully realized, as substance use often interferes with physical health, financial stability, and interpersonal relationships.