You’ve labored for weeks, months, and perhaps years to get your addicted friend or family member into drug treatment. Finally, the miracle occurs. Whether through a “nudge from the judge”, persistant pressure or even voluntary acquiescence, the addict walks through the doors of a drug treatment center.

This act alone is cause for celebration. This is the first step toward recovery for the addict, family and friends.

Needless to say, there is no guarantee that drug treatment will work, or, for that matter, that the addict will remain in treatment. After all, most drug treatment centers are not lock down facilities. The front door is typically open. The addict has the option of walking out at any given point.

So do you seek comfort in the knowledge that as long as the addict remains within the confines of the treatment center all is well? Clearly, the addict will have the occasional thoughts and cravings for drugs. Maybe it’s more than an occasional thought. More than likely it is an obsession to use. But you feel safe since the addict is within the walls of treatment and the liklihood of actually using will boil down to nothing more than an intense fantasy.

Well, the reality is that drugs make their way into treatment centers. I have worked with clients who have been placed in a wide range of treatment centers from county funded programs to the high-end facilities. Regardless of how much is paid for treatment, the reports are the same. Illegal drugs somehow crossed the barrier and made their way into the warm environment of treatment.

Should this be a surprise? Of course not. Addicts are gifted at concealment, creativity, and deception. Think about your own experiences with an addict. How long were they able to conceal their addiction before you caught on? What were some of their methods of procurring the drugs and hiding it?

Does this mean that the drug treatment facilities are at fault? Well, that is not for me to judge. I can’t speak for every facility, but the ones I’ve dealt with are very aware of the problem and make great effort to stem the flow of drugs entering treatment. Those efforts begin at admission when all the belongings of the addict are searched. The search process continues throughout treatment with random room searches. There are may other measures taken to insure a safe, drug free environment, but the fact of the matter is that where there is a will, there is a way.

So what can you do to help eliminate the problem? The first thing I would do is observe, very carefully, what goes into the suitcase as it is being packed for treatment. Don’t assume the suitcase will be searched.

During treatment limit, as best you can, communication (telephone or in person) between the addict and his using buddies. Nothing good usually comes from such communication. I’ve heard many stories about addicts having their friends come by the drug treatment center and simply throw drugs over the fence to a designated area.

Make sure UA tests are administered randomly with a gender appropriate facility employee actually monitering the process.

Be vigilant about where the addict will be treating. Ask questions about what safeguards they have in place. Is all incoming mail thouroughly checked? Communicate with treatment personnel about the addict’s known behaviors concerning hiding and procurring drugs.

Treatment is the best solution for addiction. Take a proactive role in the process. Work with the facility in all aspects of recovery, including your own. And don’t be naive and think that just because the addict is in treatment their ability to use drugs has been quashed.