Facing Addiction
1,000+ Posts
've had clients who ultimately realized that they either needed to make a change or they would be dead, but it wasn't a change that came through any manner of treatment. THEY had to make the decision.
I'm headed out of the country today, so I won't be able to debate this. But this is exactly correct. An addict won't change until THEY choose to change. And if/when that happens, it's because they have hit rock bottom and see that they have nowhere else to go but up and out. When my son decided he needed rehab, it was because he knew that he was either going to end up in prison or dead if he kept going the way he was going.
And even then, recidivism is extremely high without the right support. My wife and I are working to get a sober living home in our hometown. In sober living, recovering addicts are supported, held accountable and removed from bad environments. That along with counseling, AA/NA meetings and work greatly reduce the recidivism rate.