One of the biggest myths about addiction is that people need to be ready to get help before they can benefit from drug or alcohol rehab or treatment.
We all believe it, and we think that until someone hits rock bottom and truly decides to make a commitment to change, that nothing can be done, and that intervention is fruitless.
It's a myth
Luckily, pop culture knowledge isn’t necessarily truth, and in this case research proves that our understanding of addiction is completely false.
Clinical data indicates that a person's motivation for entering into treatment has little influence over eventual success and sobriety rates, and as such addictions professionals will recommend that if anyone abusing drugs or alcohol can be persuaded to accept help--even if they deny the existence of a problem--they should be encouraged to go.
Many people do not enter drug rehab programs willingly, and a great percentage of participants seek help out of family pressure, in fear of employer sanction, and even as mandated by the courts; and these people on average do just as well as those who initiate treatment of their own accord.
Sometimes a desire to change only comes after initial sobriety is achieved
Often a desire to change can only come with a few days of sobriety, with self reflection and with the clarity that comes with sobriety; and many addicts actively using may have gone for years without a significant period of sober self reflection.
Sometimes reluctant participants see the light as they work with a therapist, as they listen and participate in group meetings, and as they meditate on their life so far, and the possibilities still to come.
Without a commitment to change, recovery is impossible, and even the best drug or alcohol rehab has no chance to change someone determined to continue with use and abuse; but that motivation to change does not need to occur before the entry into drug rehab, and it just as often occurs through the act of therapy and treatment.
Get them help if you can
If you are concerned about a loved one's drinking or drugging and you can convince them to get help, you should feel very encouraged about their chances, even if they maintain denial as they enter into treatment.
You can't ever force someone to quit, and it does need to be a personal and committed decision to change; but you can use your influence to insist on treatment, and the statistics say that if you can win that battle, the odds are good that sobriety may soon follow.
Interventions can be a very effective way to convince a reluctant addict of the need for treatment. (ChooseHelp Interventions)
No Relapse! 3 ways to stay sober after drug or alcohol rehab
Drug or alcohol rehab is unfortunately no guarantee of long term sobriety, and a great many people fail to see sobriety through the end of the first very risky year after rehab. Here are three things you can do to maximize the odds of staying sober and staying healthy after the end of drug or alcohol rehab.
Insomnia can lead to relapse. 8 ways to get to sleep at night; even while going through withdrawal!
We don’t often think of sleep as a risk factor to relapse and abuse, but insomnia during long term withdrawal is a significant predictor of further abuse. This is very problematic as one of the symptoms of long term withdrawal off of a great many drugs is a prolonged period of sleep disturbances. Here are 8 ways to get to sleep at night, even while going through withdrawal.
Alcoholism; 3 ways family can help a recovering alcoholic stay sober
You can never fight the battles of alcoholism recovery for someone you love, but that doesn’t mean that family can't help a lot on the road to sobriety. Although the recovering alcoholic must walk the lonely road to sobriety alone, there are three concrete actions that a loving and supportive family can take to help out along the way.
