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rehabilitation

ree-huh-bil-ih-TAY-shun /ˌriːhəˌbɪlɪˈteɪʃən/

nounB2GRETOEFLIELTS

formalmedicalgeneral

The action of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy after imprisonment, addiction, or illness.

In addiction, rehabilitation is a structured process aimed at helping individuals recover from substance use disorders, often involving therapy, education, and support to rebuild a healthy life.

The story behind the word. The word 'rehabilitation' comes from the Latin rehabilitare, meaning 'to restore to former rank or privilege.' It's formed from re- 'again' and habilis 'fit, able.' So, the core idea is to make someone 'able again' or 'fit again' for a normal life. This perfectly describes the goal of addiction treatment: to restore an individual's capacity for healthy functioning.

Word relationships

recovery: A general term for returning to a normal state; 'rehabilitation' implies a structured process to achieve this.
restoration: The action of returning something to a former condition.

deterioration: The process of becoming progressively worse.
degeneration: The process of declining in quality or strength.

Commonly confused with

therapy: 'Therapy' is a specific type of treatment (e.g., talk therapy); 'rehabilitation' is a broader process that may include various therapies, education, and support services.

Word family

rehabilitate (verb): To restore (someone) to health or normal life.
rehabilitative (adjective): Relating to or concerned with rehabilitation.

Collocations

drug rehabilitation
alcohol rehabilitation
physical rehabilitation
rehabilitation center
rehabilitation program

Example sentences

"After completing a 90-day inpatient rehabilitation program, she felt better equipped to maintain her sobriety." Discussing treatment options for addiction.
"The prison system is investing more in vocational training and rehabilitation services to reduce recidivism." In a news report about criminal justice.

Memory hook

REHABILITATION helps you 'RE-gain' your 'ABILITY' to live a healthy life. RE-ABILITY

When not to use

Avoid using 'rehabilitation' for simple recovery from a minor illness or injury if a less formal term like 'recovery' or 'healing' is more appropriate.

Fun facts

The concept of rehabilitation extends beyond addiction to include physical therapy after injury, vocational training for ex-offenders, and more.
Effective rehabilitation programs are often holistic, addressing physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects of an individual's life.