A client who's relapsed more than once drops a clean urine sample. In his case, though, that's not good because the sample is far above the temperature it's supposed to be. So we ask the client for another sample. And this time it's observed.
But he says he can’t pee. No problem, we'll wait. After an hour or so he's able to give another sample. This time, the test is positive for THC and other substances.
When we tell him he has a couple of options, either move to the Roosevelt house or leave, he wants to think about it. As if he had a basis for negotiation.
After he talks to his girlfriend they call their parents for money for another place to live.
We have a certain percentage of clients like this. For some reason they get into a treatment program yet want to get high.
And many of us who've been in recovery for a while find this strange. After all, what's the point of getting into recovery and still sneak around and get high? In other words, why use half measures?
If a person wants to get high they should do so. Why make a pretense? Why waste time in a recovery program, which is a stressful place to use drugs?
Most people I know who are in recovery a while didn't do so because they thought it was a good idea. They got sober because life kicked their butt and left them nowhere to turn.
In the 12-step literature it talks about "half measures." I believe the same should hold true for using. I think people should get high as long as they can so they can find out what works – and what doesn't.
Then maybe they can move into recovery.
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