What if they don’t want to get sober?

 

When I am talking to parents or loved ones, they sometimes have the response “If they don’t want to get sober then what is the point in them going to treatment?”  Although this does make somewhat sense, it isn’t entirely true.

 

See, when someone is seeking treatment or goes to treatment, chances are they are not WANTING to go in the first place.  Maybe they are, but chances are they are not. That is OK.  Addiction Treatment can be a very scary thing to do, especially if we have never done it before!  As addicts and alcoholics we tend to want to stay where we are most comfortable, in our addiction.  So when presented with the “option” of going to treatment, it is not a surprise that they say they don’t really want to get sober or “I don’t think I need treatment”

 

My recommendation is always, get someone to treatment whatever way possible.  They don’t have to come “willingly” or have some overly positive attitude about going to treatment.  The fact is, they are going and that is all that matters.  Leave the rest up to the professionals.

 

If your loved one gets involved in a community that is healthy and fosters good sobriety, they will organically become that as well.  You become a product of your environment, ya know?