Helping An Addict Recover – Who Is Working Harder

Your loved one been told to go to drug rehab, even though day think it’s pointless.  In the end, they have been bribed and bargained with just to set foot in the drug rehab center. Will it work? Will they even stay? These are questions that float through your mind all day long. But when it comes right down to it, you need to know where the rubber hits the road. Who is really working harder during their addiction recovery, them or everyone else?

You Do Your Part In Addiction Recovery

You’ve now done an intervention, gone through some counseling, and even gone to a few Al-Anon meetings. You have a better idea of what you can do to help support your loved one through their addiction recovery. But you’ve also been hearing stories about people frustrated with their role.

The support people and family members seem to be doing their part, but the addict it’s going back to their old ways. No matter what the family does, no matter how far they bend backwards to do their part, the addict seems to resist or change their mind. How much more can they put up with?

Rubber Meets The Road In Addiction Recovery

Here is where the rubber meets the road with with addiction recovery – the big question. Who is working harder during an addict recovery? The addict or the people around them? If the answer is not be addict, you can expect relapse to be a real possibility.  While support from others is important, it will not make a person stay sober.

The addict has to make the largest effort because it is an investment in themselves. They are the ones that will be sober or not, no matter who else is around them. No one can force this on an addict. While an addict can be made to go to treatment, it’s like the horse being brought to water. You cannot make them drink, no matter how thirsty they might be.

Is Recovery Hopeless For Reluctant Drug Addicts?

All hope may not be loss, even when an addict doesn’t seem terribly motivated to stay sober at the time. If you and other family members are working harder than the addict, then recognize this reality. Do your part and be there, but stop bending over backwards. The addict may need to fall again to get the perspective they need. They may not yet see how much they need sobriety, and no amount of family activity will make up for their lack of vision.

When people with addiction are truly ready to take in the experience of drug rehab, you can be ready to take a more active role in. They will need your help to get drug rehab started again. Hopefully, it won’t take long for them to be ready to really give up their drug addiction lifestyle.

Photo credit: Alfonso Jiménez