This weekend we discharged two female clients who were in a romantic relationship. They were discharged because TLC has a rule prohibiting clients from getting involved in new relationships for 90 days – on or off of the premises.
While some consider this rule harsh, our experience has been that when clients become romantically involved they forget why they came to TLC. They become lost in a rush of hormones and dreamy feelings and forget they were recently in jail or on the streets because of their addictions.
Next they move to a cheap motel to begin a wonderful new life – a plan that generally unravels as soon as they run out of money, drugs, and alcohol.
We usually will get a call from one of them who – chastised by the experience – wants another chance in the program. And, if they seem properly motivated we’ll accept them back to try again.
It’s difficult to fight human nature - but experience has taught us that our clients have a better chance at long term recovery if they avoid situations that threaten their sobriety.
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