DMX Heads to Rehab, 'House Arrest Wasn't Working'

DMX says he's opting to check outta house arrest and into rehab -- taking full advantage of a judge's decision ... TMZ has learned.

X says, "House arrest wasn't working for me, so I made the decision to do something positive and better for myself." Our DMX sources tell us he's getting treatment for substance abuse at a facility in New England.

We broke the story, a judge approved DMX breaking his house arrest for tax evasion ... specifically to enter a rehab program. He can even go without wearing a GPS ankle monitor.

X's manager, Pat Gallo, tells us the rapper's already been working with recovery coach Joseph Griffin, and has made "great progress." He recently took a community outreach trip to a firehouse with his rehab group.