In drug rehab sometimes, at the begining of getting someone into a drug rehab, we spend far more time with members of the family then we ever do with the actual client. There are some parts of the process of rehab that are there for every client and then there are the unique parts of every journey into a drug rehab center. Some calls like one I had tonight involved people at the very earliest of stages. They are still in partial shock of coming to the realization that someone they love is addicted harshly enough to consider a rehab facility. Many feel like they are in some foreign land as they have no personal experience with any illegal drugs.
Sometimes they will ask where they can find information about certain drugs and their effects. In essence they are sometime even ebarassed to admit how little they know about drug and drug rehab. They would prefer to read then ask questions. My advice is to ask questions. Ask lots of questions. Do all you can to educate yourself so you can actually think and respond without too much emotion. You cannot get another person to change in a difficult and confusing situation if you yourself are an emotional basket case with a short fuse.
Asking questions without anger and presupposition are the only way to deal with addiction. People change in drug rehab because they choose a new path on their own. You can only get people to consider changing their way with quality questions. Great questions will get them to at least consider a new and different future. Do not expect and ask people to change because you love them. If you love them take the time through asking good questions to consider a future with successes and hope without drugs. Most people entering a drug rehab are using drugs as a self mediating coping mechanism. The will consider a change if they can see a new better life. They will consider a change if you are offering something that will actually replace and improve what they are doing now. You can only find this out by asking questions. Find out what they really want. Find out what they are afraid of. Find o! ut what they think they need to learn. Only by reconecting with their dreams and goals can real change happen. If someone you love really needs to enter a drug rehab, start with questions.
