AHS Views

I’ve heard a lot of bad-mouthing about drug rehab. While it’s true that some rehab facilities don’t get down to the bottom of why the person is taking drugs, there are also many that do. And if the person is in a good facility and is determined to do it, they can do it. Even people who’ve gotten to the point where drugs landed them in prison can make it – and they have a lot more to face up to than most.

How do you choose a good facility? You have to screen them well and you should see if they do follow up and have info about how many of the people who did their program actually stayed off drugs. Addiction Help Services can give you more information and help you find the treatment program and facility that’s right for your situation.

But no matter what treatment you opt for, it’s basically going to be up to the addict who goes there to stick it out – withdrawal can be tough, and changing your life isn’t easy either. It takes guts and determination.

I’ve heard from people who say they’ve done rehab seven times and they still didn’t get off drugs. Okay – so maybe they went to short-term clinics when they needed something that lasted for months, or maybe they just couldn’t face up to doing their part of it. Maybe they thought there would be a miracle cure. Something painless that barely required their participation.

That’s not going to happen. I got off heroin and know many, many others who’ve done the same. And it’s one of the hardest drugs to kick. But I really wanted to. I had really decided that I didn’t want drugs in my life. And I worked hard at it. I had to examine myself, my life, my associations, my goals, my weaknesses, and I had to really face up to the damage I’d done to myself and others. And then I had to create a new life for myself.

If you know someone who’s been to rehab and failed, don’t blame drug rehab. Addiction help works, as long as they’re in the right program and are really participating. Get them into a long-term facility that will really help them face up to the hold drugs have on them, get to the bottom of why they’re taking them, and help them change their lives.