How to Get an Addict into Drug Rehab

A friend of mine admitted she's got a drug problem. Her son’s an addict. How can I get him into drug rehab in Georgia? she asked me. He’s thinks that if he gives up his pills, the pain will be too much.”

Crazy I thought. From what I can tell, he’s not doing so well as it is. He can’t think clearly, can’t hold a job, and in general can’t handle his life. How could things get any worse for him once he's sober?

“Why ask him to make the decision I asked?” He's got to want to get better, doesn’t he? It’s his life, after all. Shouldn’t he make the choice?”

No, I told her. He shouldn't because he can't. Drugs make you stupid. We all know that. The more he uses, the more the addict becomes unable to think clearly. And the less clearly he can think, the more dependent he becomes on his family.

So then why leave the decision about rehab up to an addict? He doesn’t have the ability to make a good decision anyway. And since he’s shirked his responsibility and burdened his family with his problems, they should have more say in how to handle him.

So this is where a little tough love goes a long way. An approach using a combination of "it's my way or the highway" with a big dose of love and care for his well being can help an addict make the right choice to get the drug rehab he needs.



Fritz Alders