In order to motivate the addict to quit, the addict has re-lived his or her worst days and experiences while using. The addict has also realized that there are certain people, places and events that are roadblocks to recovery and have to be avoided from now on. Also, the addict has had his or her denial system confronted by having to accept certain “truths” about themselves.
The final step in motivating addicts to quit is for them to Make the Decision.Whenever I hear addicts say;
“I’m only here because my parents have forced me ….”
“The court has ordered me to ….”
“My wife/husband has threatened to leave if I don’t …. ” etc.
… I know that the chances of recovery are far less than if the addict has come to the decision to quit by themselves.However, as most addicts do come into recovery as a result of a successful intervention, threats of consequences which they cannot live with or fear of imminent loss of family, spouse or life, it is best to spend some time “moving” the addict from coerced recovery into self-motivated recovery.
In other words, get them to feel that the ultimate decision to quit is still theirs to make.
To make this decision, there are four basic “lists” which addicts have to work through to arrive at the decision to quit.
All four lists should explore physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional, and social aspects.
1. Good Things About Quitting.
2. Good Things About NOT Quitting
3. Bad Things About Quitting
4. Bad Things About NOT Quitting
This exercise shouldn’t be done at one sitting. Addicts need to think about this over a period of one or two weeks. They need to carry the lists around with them and review them all the time, discussing them with others “in recovery” or “clean”friends and family.Once the lists are completed, the sponsor should help the addict to analyze each list and formulate the final decision. The items on each list should be rated by writing an “H” for high “M” for medium and “L” for low importance. Discard all the “L‘s” and concentrate on the rest.
Get the addict to “Yes” by emphasizing the positive outcome of quitting as against the positive illusionary benefits of using.By now the sponsor has a whole array of information arising out of the addict’s
- own war stories
- admitted roadblocks and
- “denial system” about “using”
… which can be used to overcome whatever;
“Good Things About NOT Quitting”
“Bad Things About Quitting“
… the addict has listed.Once addicts have made the decision themselves, they will cease to fight friends and family about finally quitting and entering recovery.
