I was listening to a local radio fellow raise an interesting topic and I wondered what others might say.
His point was that so often we hear about people who have drug problems, or perversion problems, or relationshipishal problems, or anger management problems, and then we hear about how they're now in Rehab, and we're all supposed to pretend that everything is better and good, after X many days, they're cured!!
So famous director crashes his car while under the influence and blames all war on the Jews--he's gone through rehab, so now he's gonna be straightened out and he's really really sorry now...
Well this radio guy was quoting the latest report from California in which the division of Correcitonal services discovered that of inmates, those who went through court-ordered rehab programs as part of their sentencing were statistically slightly more likely to reoffend... States pour billions into funding rehab programs, and the question he posed is, "Do they work?"
He says, why not just send them to prison? When you send someone to prison, the crime-rate goes down. That's actually a proven statistic.
I thought he had one caller who was interesting who stated that she believed that unless there were realworld consequences associated with the rehab program that it did no good. In some cases, rehab provided people with a "time-out" before they lost everything.
So what are the social implications of a world of Rehab? Is it like the borderline where you try not to cross?
thoughts?
--Ray
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I'm not slow; I'm special. (Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
Well, for Hollywood and celebrity types, it appears to be a trendy thing to do... a way to garner headlines and the spotlight for a few more seconds. It is kind of like earlier generations of celebrities and their seeing "therapists"... Kind of like a badge of honor...
I don't believe very many big names go into it with the real intention of cleaning up... and I doubt that many of those non-big names who are ordered into it gain the full benefit of it because they go in because they are forced to and not because they want to, because they were caught and this is part of the punishment...
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
Rehab centers can help. But I doubt that they do usually. I understand that 12 step programs are very effective. But whatever tool you use, you have to be committed to change for it to work. What I like about 12 step programs is that you have to acknowledge the existence of a higher power. Overcoming drug or alcohol addiction is the same as overcoming any other sin, if not in degree then at least in particulars.
-- Edited by arbilad at 10:13, 2007-02-23
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
Cat Herder wrote: Well, for Hollywood and celebrity types, it appears to be a trendy thing to do... a way to garner headlines and the spotlight for a few more seconds. It is kind of like earlier generations of celebrities and their seeing "therapists"... Kind of like a badge of honor...
I don't believe very many big names go into it with the real intention of cleaning up... and I doubt that many of those non-big names who are ordered into it gain the full benefit of it because they go in because they are forced to and not because they want to, because they were caught and this is part of the punishment...
For celebrities, rehab means you can no longer judge them or say anything bad about them because it really isn't their fault. They are addicted and you must forgive them no matter how stupid they are. It's not Brittney Brittney's fault or the fault of the Brittney Brittney Dancers. She's in rehab now for the forth time struggling with her inner demons. Worship her now, that's an order from the Celebrity Watch.
My chairside's ex-husband spent 2 years in rehab. He was addicted to crystal meth. At the time he went off everything. Cigarettes, booze etc...
Now he chews tobacco and drinks beer but he hasn't relapsed with the drugs. It's been about 5 years so I hope he stays clean.
-- Edited by Mahonri at 04:09, 2007-02-24
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no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing... the truth of God will go forth till it has penetrated every website, sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done
But here's the deal. Normal people often get sent to jail, lose their jobs and often their families because of drug use. In Hollywood land... they enter posh rehab centers on the public's discovery of their drug problems, and even before they're out, they're praised as cured?!
Isn't Rehab the Great and Spacious Building's a special club to keep members only from facing normal society consequences? Then we cry a river when our own children think there are no consequences to such reckless lifestyles...
--Ray
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I'm not slow; I'm special. (Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
Here's my one (and hopefully only) experience with rehab:
Two years ago, I sponsored a friend through rehab. His parents were alcoholics and abusive. As a teen, he finally fled that environment and joined the church. He served an honorable mission. In his mid-thirities, after a long period of unemplyment and depression, he gave in--he accepted some cocaine that a neighbor offered. He immediately became addicted.
The result of his first conviction was court-ordered rehab. It was an intensive month-long program at a residence facility that was run like a military barracks. I was allowed to visit him for an hour each week during group therapy. After his release, he joined a twelve-step. I attended the meetings with him (which were really incredible--completely based on Biblical principles) and I "rescued" him several times when he called me at two in the morning because he was depressed and wanted to start using again.
Then I didn't hear from him for a couple of days. He didn't answer calls. I couldn't find him at his place--I even staked it out one night and never saw him. I called other twelve-step members. Nothing. for two weeks, I tried to find him.
Then I got a call from the jail. He wanted me to come and bail him out--he'd been busted with posession again. My Reply: By your choices, you have placed yourself beyond my help. I'm sorry. I don't have the resources to help you anymore.
He's in the state pen now. Sometimes I wonder if I should have helped him again.
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The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life. - Julie Beck
Roper wrote: Here's my one (and hopefully only) experience with rehab:
Two years ago, I sponsored a friend through rehab. His parents were alcoholics and abusive. As a teen, he finally fled that environment and joined the church. He served an honorable mission. In his mid-thirities, after a long period of unemplyment and depression, he gave in--he accepted some cocaine that a neighbor offered. He immediately became addicted.
The result of his first conviction was court-ordered rehab. It was an intensive month-long program at a residence facility that was run like a military barracks. I was allowed to visit him for an hour each week during group therapy. After his release, he joined a twelve-step. I attended the meetings with him (which were really incredible--completely based on Biblical principles) and I "rescued" him several times when he called me at two in the morning because he was depressed and wanted to start using again.
Then I didn't hear from him for a couple of days. He didn't answer calls. I couldn't find him at his place--I even staked it out one night and never saw him. I called other twelve-step members. Nothing. for two weeks, I tried to find him.
Then I got a call from the jail. He wanted me to come and bail him out--he'd been busted with posession again. My Reply: By your choices, you have placed yourself beyond my help. I'm sorry. I don't have the resources to help you anymore.
He's in the state pen now. Sometimes I wonder if I should have helped him again.
Don't feel bad. If jail didn't wake the guy up then nothing will. Sometimes helping someone like this can actually make it worse. Only when they hit rock bottom and suffer the full consequences to many get help. You went above and beyond trying to help this guy. He chose to use again. Some people make it and some don't but the choice was his, so don't beat yourself up about it. Even the Savior cannot save those who do not want to be saved.
