Sometimes our halfway house managers don't know what to do when clients break the rules.
They're upset when one relapses. Or comes in late for curfew. Or gets involved in a relationship with another client.
The knee-jerk reaction is to discharge the client. Or perhaps give a punishment that doesn't match the offense.
My counsel to them is that clients don't come to us as healthy, well-adjusted, human beings. After all, they come to us in hopes of changing their behavior.
And while we don't have the power to make them better, we do provide guidance so they can improve their lives. We try to help them to the point where they can check their own behavior and avoid relapse.
As long as clients are trying to change – even if they at times go sideways – I believe we should work with them.
We should only discharge them if they have a chronic bad attitude. Or, if their behavior threatens other clients or the integrity of the program.
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