For the parents, family and loved ones of the addict, finally getting them into rehab can be a time of relief from the constant turmoil and worry and constant fear of that dreaded “phone call in the night.” It can be the first time in years ones head rests easy on the pillow, and affords one a long-needed decent night’s sleep. But for the addict in rehab, it is a time to face the music, and to turn on the demons in pursuit.
Common Reasons for Wanting to Leave Rehab
Although the reasons which drive a person to drugs and substance abuse can be as varied as there are situations and circumstances in life, there are some common reasons a person wants to leave rehab. It is a long, hard walk back out the road he or she walked down to end-up in the condition the person now finds themselves, a drug addict in rehab. It includes potentially painful withdrawal from the drugs, intolerable drug cravings, the mental anguish that comes with the recognition of one’s true condition and its consequences, and the bitterly painful recognition of the damage one has caused to self and others. Mankind’s most unwanted emotions are all there to come flooding in, causing despair, a sense of degradation, fear and hopelessness. And the person will want desperately to get away from it all.
In response to those desperate phone calls, filled with complaints and criticisms and promises of good behavior “if only” the person is just allowed to get out and come home, let’s take a look at 10 things you can do when a person in rehab wants to leave, and makes that call.
Comfort Them
That person you know and love is still there, buried and hidden by the false overlay of substance abuse. Comfort them. Let them know everything will be alright.
Back Them Up
Let them know he or she will get out, and when they do, they will have support from you. Let them know that you are there for them, to support them throughout the whole time they are there in rehab.
Focus on the Good
Let them know how much you loved “the them” as they were before using drugs, and that you miss that person who they truly are. Tell them you want them back again, as they were, so very much.
Give them Love
There are times in life when a person who is the hardest to love, needs it the most. It can be as simple as saying, “I love you.” No matter what the knee-jerk reaction may be in repsonse, those three words will not fall on deaf ears.
Set a Realistic Goal
If you are getting a call from someone demanding to leave rehab, you can know he or she has hit some heavy weather. Simply acknowledge it, and set a goal for that moment–for the person to commit to “one more day.” A daily commitment to “one more day” ends-up in making it through.
Get Them to Share
Get them to tell you about what they are learning. Express sincere and genuine interest in it, and get them to tell you how they will be able use what they are learning. In their sharing, let them teach you something that you might be able to use, too.
Put Attention on the Good
There is no easy way out of addiction, for anyone. It takes courage and persistence and a burning desire to achieve sobriety. Take every opportunity to compliment the good, and what is right about the person being in rehab. Express your pride in the person, compliment their courage and their strength, recognize the fundamental rightness of what they are trying to do and encourage them to keep-up the good work.
Encourage Them
There is nothing quite like the old tried-and-true pep talk, straight from the heart. Let them know it will get easier, day-by-day, that they will get better—mind, body and soul. Encourage them to stay focused on their goal to get clean. Let them know you are confident in them and their ability to make it through.
Remain Purpose Oriented
When the going gets rough, and fear and discouragement or anger sets-in, reorient the person to his or her purpose—to be free of substance abuse and able to live a sober life once again. There is a well of strength and hope in rehabilitating a person’s purposes, including what he or she wants to achieve in their life once they complete their rehab program.
Look to the Future
Let them know they will feel better, and what you and those who love them want more than anything is for them is to be happy and healthy and clean. Get them to look towards creating a new future for themselves, one which includes a supportive and loving family, and a new opportunity to achieve their original goals and purposes in this life. True that they may now be buried under the pall of drugs, but it is also true those goals and purposes can be re-discovered, dusted off and given new life.
As one staff member at Narconon Arrowhead Drug Rehabilitation Center found to be true, keeping the person moving forward and receiving the needed treatment will get them through:
“YES!! We had three students that were blowy in withdrawal this week and thanks to LRH tech being delivered constantly and standardly they turned around, and I am proud to say all three are in the program kicking butt, taking names, and confronting their addiction!!! BiG WIN”
For more information on the Narconon Arrowhead Drug Rehabilitation Program, call 800-468-6933. To find out more about addiction and its effects log on to our Narconon YouTube Channel.
