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Drug Rehab Centers ... Do They Actually Work?

I’m feeling agitated, annoyed and upset. My son has relapsed again (the 3rd time) ... and it’s been suggested we need to get him into a drug rehab program again.

But I think, what’s the point? The previous attempts didn’t work so what’s going to be different now? I’m pretty sure our insurance won’t cover anything this time either, so it’s a massive cost with no guarantee of success.

My feeling right now is that these drug rehabilitation centers are all too eager to take your money, but when it comes to delivering results, they seem to fall horribly short. Look, I know my son has to accept responsibility in this too, but surely there must be alternatives that aren’t as expensive that can also work?

Sorry if it sounds like I’m moaning, but I’m just so frustrated and don’t know where to turn. Times are tough and this is the last thing we can afford right now.

Answer



I totally understand your frustration, but you know overcoming an addiction requires a lot more than your son simply getting through a drug rehab program successfully.

The thing is ... addiction isn’t an illness that will simply be ‘fixed’ by going through a treatment program, like you would expect for many other illnesses. It requires active effort and commitment from your son, post treatment, in the form of working a recovery program to be successful.

And that’s where your son actually wanting this for himself becomes so important. Yes, you may be able to force him to attend an addiction treatment program, but unless he’s actually committed to achieving sobriety himself, he’s just going to go back to old habits once he leaves.

So putting your son through another period in rehab, might not necessarily be the best thing right now in any event. I think it’s more important he finds a recovery program to work at like the 12 steps because that will ultimately help him develop the correct habits and attitude to stay clean.

God Bless.



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Oct 12, 2012
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JUST GETTING READY TO GGO
by: Anonymous

I was laid off from a good job a few years ago I apply all day long, can't hardly get an interview well I went and got a dui did 60 days in jail have 120 left haven't been able to afford the classes, so I know I'm going to jail but my parents are so excited that I am going to rehab blackmailed me into it I live on the street amazing how quick that can happen minimum wage doesn't put a roof over you head anyway I'm doing it 9 months shit then I know I'm goin to jail for months after that oh well but parents say I won't have to worry I'll have a roof. I'm quite positive I will find a good job and start drinking again being self supportive, then they will really hate me and say it was a waste but they aren't the ones who get to go for 9 months and I HAVE TO WORK FULL TIME FOR FREE WHILE I'M THERE. I already have explained this to them my brother went to the same place twice and it didn't work but everybody is different. I havn't even set foot in there and don't plan on it working but it's a roof and hot food which is just like jail.

Aug 05, 2012
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rehab, great for weak minded people !!!!
by: lygra kat

i have just read some of the coments people have made about rehabs and i am sorry but i think they are a total waist of money and time, i have been clean from my 22year heroin habit (which i loved so much )for 2 years now and i did it all by my self, i really woke up one morning and desised to stop so i did it is all to do with will power and untill a person is truly ready to stop no talking will make someone stop. The one thing that baffles me is why do you have to talk about why you started taking drugs in the first place, i actually started doing drugs cause i actually liked them i had no problems and when i grew up i stoped easy when you no what you really want, i do feel sorry for people who are forced into rehab bad, nasty and very,very cruel but good luck to all you people in rehab , but the more you talk about drugs the more you will want them and if you do have things in your head then leave them buryed i have and i am doing truly really well. so to me rehab , bad bad place.

May 05, 2011
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Do your best!
by: dan stevens

It's nor easy and you must let them help you. These clinics have dedicated personnel and have good results indeed. The location is very important. For many addicted ones a beautiful and peaceful environment is very useful. I'm sure that the rehab programs have the required standards and provide all conditions for success. But each individual is different and has different needs. That is a reason to use a specific center and Fresno Drug rehab can find the ones with very good settlement conditions and more than this, with the best treatment results according to the specific condition that each addicted has.

Dec 18, 2009
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They just don't get it...
by: Anonymous


After being "institutionalized" by my family twice in the past year for alcohol, please be aware that badgering, blackmailing, coercing or threatening someone if they don't go to rehab is totally counter-productive.

My well-meaning but misguided family has done nothing but steel my resolve to continue to drink whenever I choose - albeit in a more moderate and timely fashion so as not to raise their hackles again. I refuse to be dictated to...

My current circumstance is like going out to dinner - if I order something off the menu, I may not care for it, but I will probably get it down - if someone else orders for me, says this is what you're going to eat, and then proceeds to force it down my throat, I'm going to retch and vomit it back up! They just don't get it!

To those whose family members may be trying to force the issue on them, take my advice - moderate - at least enough to get them off your back. It's better to be a part-time drunk than a full-time alcoholic - alcoholics have to go to meetings - for life, if you swallow their "sobriety swill" and "12-Step tripe".



Oct 19, 2009
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Thank you so much
by: Anonymous

What an insightful and thoughtful comment ... thank you. It means a lot. Blessings to you and may everything work out for you in the best possible way.

Oct 19, 2009
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Don't give up
by: Anonymous

I so understand where you are coming from. My daughter has been through 3 inpatient rehabs and has just relapsed again. She wants sobriety and the "real" life it can offer but she doesn't have faith that she can ever be happy without drugs and she fears she could not resist her drug of choice if it were offered to her. None the less, she says she will never give up. And neither will I. We also have limited funds. We do what we can to support her recovery but paying for another quality in patient rehab isn't an option for us. And although she knows I love her, coming to live at home has been off the table for a couple years now. (she is soon to be 21).

It has been said that experiencing some of those ugly consequences that we as parents so badly want to protect our kids from may be the very thing that finally turns it around...like getting arrested, beaten, landing in a hospital, or simply running out of options with all bridges burned, living on the street. A parents nightmare and not what any of us want to hear. I am just saying that to express that no matter how bad it gets there is reason to hope. What seems like a nightmare may be an important step in his reaching a place of surrender.

On the bright side, I have heard that the more that an addict perseveres and the more rehabs they attempt, their chances of finally achieving sobriety actually go up. So the next one might be the turning point. Of course like it has been said, it has to be something he wants for himself.

Did your son go into a sober living house after rehab or just come home? Some of these SLE's (or group homes specializing in addiction if under 18) can be helpful in transitioning back to real life after residential rehab, as they are structured, they drug test and have meeting requirements as well as the support of others who are also trying to live a sober life. Usually they continue in an outpatient treatment program while living there. Of course, there is always the potential to form friendships with others in early sobriety and that can carry risks if the friend relapses. But if you haven't tried it it might be worth a shot.

All you can do is be there to support his recovery and be firm with your boundaries. If your insurance won't cover costs, you may want to explore some county programs. Remember, you didn't cause this and you can't fix it. That is up to your son. Good luck to both of you. TF

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