What makes an addict admit hes an addict ?

My son has been in rehab for 7 days ..Admits he def screwed up but will not admit hes an addict ...He wants out of rehab .. My question ..What makes an addict admit  hes an addict?

[IBKleen]

It is so different for everyone. Most of us have to hit bottom.

Personally, I had to lose everything I had and got to the point where I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I was exactly where your son is right now and my first rehab I left after 10 days. I thought I had hit my bottom but I found out it had a basement.

It took me 2 more rehabs and 4 stints in jail to finally admit I had a problem.

I pray for you and him that he sticks it out. 7-10 days in rehab is the turning point for 90% of the people who go in. If he can just hang in there one more week and LISTEN, he just may have a chance.

I am so sorry.....

[avisg]

I wish I new the answer for that but most people like to denial it so they can continue to use and have it be "ok" I new I was addicted long before I would say the words .hopefully he will get to that place.

[gizzy32]

First of all, congrats to your son on getting some help. I am sure we may have different answers to your questions, but for me it took about 10 years, 3 overdoses, switching drug after drug till I found my DOC (cocaine) and bottoming out so many times to FINALLY admit I am an addict. The first time I said it out loud ( my name is Chris and I am an addict) and around people was at an N/A meeting when I first got clean. Saying those words helped me so much, I could finally accept I had a disease and was powerless. Almost all addicts are in complete denial for a long time. It's not easy admitting this and some never do. Good luck to you and your son:)

P.S. I don't know your son's story, but by the time he leaves rehab, he may finally admit to being an addict. I hope it helps him and you.

[greeneyes16]

I sure hope you are right ..he admits to screwing up but he won't admit to being an addict .... Every  day he wants to leave the rehab ...& I told him if he leaves he has not place to live ......He told me hes better ..I can't get it through his twisted mind that he needs help...... He  graduated college with a health science degree & a drug addiction ...... I am meeting with my son tomorrow & his therapist any advice ? Thanks trish

[IBKleen]

Good for you. Stand your ground.

I too have a college degree from a very prestigious school. It has nothing to do with intelligence. He is an addict plain and simple.

Be honest with his therapist that is begging to come home. Call him out.

I know this sounds rough but tough love is very often the way to go, especially in a case like this. Please let us know how it goes.

[greeneyes16]

I meant he got a college degree & a drug addiction .......I am so honest with his therapist ...No holding back anymore, no excuses,, & no enabling ,,,, can't live like this anymore...I want my son back ..& if its tough love then so be it !!!!!!! I am exhausted !!!! Thanks so much for your help ...I truly found people like me who don't live in a perfect world ..& I love it!!!!

[LIZZIE LOU]

they ALL want out...they're cured...they can do it on their own...blah, blah, blah.  DONT DO IT ! ! ! ! !  the longer he's there...the greater his chance of success.

getting clean is the easy part..."learning to live clean" is the hard part.  when he gets out of rehab...the REAL WORK begins.  it took my son 7 weeks wilderness camp and 3 months aftercare...RELAPSE...then going away for a year to learn how to live clean and sober.  doing drugs has become such a big part of teens and young adults lives that they have somehow lost the ability to function without them.  "im having a bad day"..."my girlfriend broke up with me"..."i failed a test"...and so on...just anything to justify using.  your son needs to learn how to cope with life...once again...learn how to LIVE sober.

advice?  when you go for the meeting tomorrow...be prepared for your son to still be in denial.  

[greeneyes16]

He is still in denial..... Am I ?  Hell No .......My son thinks he better cause hes drug free..But his mind needs the work >...... My son relapsed 3 times & finally went to a detox?rehab center & then he will go to out patient.....I'm just afraid he will sign himself out ..hes 25 .... Thanks for your advice ..I sure need it ...