Recovery Thought
#104

“They tried to make me to go
to rehab…”
~ by Joe Herzanek

 

 

The documentary film “Amy” about the life and death of British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse is superb and so sad at the same time. Judy and I have watched it twice. The line above is one most people can remember even if you aren’t a fan. Personally, I didn’t appreciate her music until after she was gone. In the film you learn that she did in fact go to rehab,  and more than once.

So, who should go to treatment (rehab) and why? What are the treatment options, and which one is best for me or my loved one?

Almost anyone with an active drug or alcohol addiction could benefit from a structured, inpatient or intensive outpatient program. But, for many, the cost is prohibitive, especially if you don’t have insurance! Either of these options can cost several thousands of dollars or more. Of course, it’s worth it if the person actually does quit using. Another huge consideration for many families is “how many times does he/she need to go?”

Beginning a life of sobriety, after many years or decades of habitual substance use, is challenging –to say the least. Every situation is unique.

“Every situation is unique.”

Is this person 18 or 48? Married? Single? Employed? What’s their drug of choice? How long has it been a problem? Do they know they have a problem or are they in denial?

There’s much to consider. Anyone can do a lot of research by spending time searching online –which costs nothing. This is a very good thing to do BEFORE you start making calls. There are several good books that cover this topic as well. I recommend my own book, “Why Don’t They Just Quit? Hope for Families Struggling with Addiction.” Also, another of my favorites is, “Love First. A Family’s Guide to Intervention.” by Jeff and Debra Jay.  Jeff & Debra also have a website by the same name, lovefirst.net.

One of the more important things to find out (when considering options for treatment) is how motivated the person is to end his/her addiction? Knowing this will make a huge difference when weighing options. Believe it or not, some people can simply start attending support groups such as AA, and not even need treatment. This is not the case for the majority of alcoholics/addicts –but before you make a huge financial commitment it would be nice to know where your loved one stands –concerning a desire to change.

This is only a brief overview of questions to explore and resources to consider. Much is at stake and sometimes a family/spouse/individual only gets one try at this.

Once you and your family have completed some research, you’ll have a good idea about next best steps. The books mentioned above are great resources. People can and do recover; it happens every day.

“People can and do recover. It happens every day.”

This Recovery Thought written by:
Joe Herzanek/Author,
Why Don’t They Just Quit? Hope for families struggling with addiction.

Read More Recovery Thoughts:
> #100: “I’m Left-Handed. I’m Also Alcoholic.”
> #101: “AA Just Doesn’t Work for Me.”
> #102: “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay.”
> #103: “I don’t see a man. I see my child.”
> #104: “They tried to make me go to rehab…”
> #105: “Love the Addict, Not the Addiction.”

ASK JOE:
> Do you have to stop seeing all your old friends to recover?
> Is a relapse—failure?
>Should my husband “back off?”
> If someone can stop using drugs or alcohol for weeks at a time, they “aren’t an addict—correct?
>Chronic Pain Management & Pain Pill Addiction: What to do?
>How can I know if my addicted friend or loved one is telling the truth?
>How can I tell if someone is an addict/alcoholic or just a heavy user?
>What is Methadone? What is Harm Reduction?

“Q & A with Joe” is excerpted from
Part 5 of the updated edition:

“Why Don’t They Just Quit?
Hope for families struggling with addiction.”
(click above to buy)

 

RESOURCES:
> Phone Counseling for Family Members
> Recommended Books and DVDs for families of substance abusers and addicts
> Low cost, No cost Alcohol and Drug Treatment Directory
> Drug Addiction and Alcoholism Recovery Resources for Friends, Families and Employers

If you found this Recovery Thought helpful:
please see our other posts (above) and consider reading:
“Why Don’t they Just Quit? Hope for families struggling with addiction.”

Available at:
> Our website, “Why Don’t They Just Quit?”
> Amazon.com
> Changing Lives Amazon Storefront (buy new, from us for much less)
> Audio Book CD (Listen to the book)
> Kindle
> Audible Audio Download (LISTEN TO 4 MIN. SAMPLE NOW)

Got an addiction problem in your family? Read this book. Joe knows his stuff. This book helps you better understand those dealing with friends and family that are addicted to drugs and alcohol. I have read several of these books but this one is the best. ~RJ

I, like many people, have some knowledge of what drugs and addiction are, but are clueless on what the process of recovery entails. This book does a great job in what it would take to help a loved one, who is an addict and is willing to get clean and stay clean. It also gives one hope that your loved one will survive the nightmare they are living through with their family. ~CG

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