Rehab Works as Well for People Who Want Help as for People Who Don’t. No One Needs to Hit Rock Bottom

One of the biggest myths about addiction is that people need to be ready to get help before they can benefit from drug or alcohol rehab or treatment.

We all believe it, and we think that until someone hits rock bottom and truly decides to make a commitment to change, that nothing can be done, and that intervention is fruitless.

It’s a myth

Luckily, pop culture knowledge isn’t necessarily truth, and in this case research proves that our understanding of addiction is completely false.

Clinical data indicates that a person’s motivation for entering into treatment has little influence over eventual success and sobriety rates, and as such addictions professionals will recommend that if anyone abusing drugs or alcohol can be persuaded to accept help–even if they deny the existence of a problem–they should be encouraged to go.

Many people do not enter drug rehab programs willingly, and a great percentage of participants seek help out of family pressure, in fear of employer sanction, and even as mandated by the courts; and these people on average do just as well as those who initiate treatment of their own accord.

Sometimes a desire to change only comes after initial sobriety is achieved

Often a desire to change can only come with a few days of sobriety, with self reflection and with the clarity that comes with sobriety; and many addicts actively using may have gone for years without a significant period of sober self reflection.

Sometimes reluctant participants see the light as they work with a therapist, as they listen and participate in group meetings, and as they meditate on their life so far, and the possibilities still to come.

Without a commitment to change, recovery is impossible, and even the best drug or alcohol rehab has no chance to change someone determined to continue with use and abuse; but that motivation to change does not need to occur before the entry into drug rehab, and it just as often occurs through the act of therapy and treatment.

Get them help if you can

If you are concerned about a loved one’s drinking or drugging and you can convince them to get help, you should feel very encouraged about their chances, even if they maintain denial as they enter into treatment.

You can’t ever force someone to quit, and it does need to be a personal and committed decision to change; but you can use your influence to insist on treatment, and the statistics say that if you can win that battle, the odds are good that sobriety may soon follow.

Interventions can be a very effective way to convince a reluctant addict of the need for treatment (How to run an intervention).