A former client went to jail this evening after he showed up on our property driving drunk. It was unfortunate that that it happened because before he was arrested we offered to take him to detox. And to let him leave his car in the parking lot until they released him..
Instead he opted to stay in his car with the motor running and talk about how terrible he felt about having relapsed one more time. Now, he's not only going to have a hangover in the morning, he's also facing charges of DUI.
This man has been in our program off and on for nearly a year. Yet within a few weeks after he leaves he immediately starts drinking again. So none of us were surprised when he showed up drunk, asking for help. Only problem was that he didn't want the help we were willing to give – which was to take him to detox.
His life over the past 12 months has been a pattern of progressively more frequent relapses. And when he returns he’s very humble and willing. But within a matter of months he wants to get back with his girlfriend and return to work – having not completed our program.
He’s not unique among those of us in recovery. We have to be beat up a number of times, at least some of us do. Until we figure out that the only thing we really need is to remain sober. The rest of it starts falling into place.
Maybe this man - at least unconsciously - realized that if he came to see us he would finally have to face the consequences of his drinking. And now he is.
