I stopped at Circle K one morning last week for my usual morning cup of coffee. Standing out front, leaning against the trash can, was a guy who was obviously homeless and needing help. He had a cast on his arm and looked as if he hadn't bathed for a few days.
He spoke to me as I was walking into the store and I returned his greeting. When I exited the store with my coffee, he asked me if I could give him a ride to the library.
I told him to get in my car, that the library wasn't too far out of my way. He threw his backpack in the trunk and got into the front seat.
Once in the car I told him that if he had a problem with drugs or alcohol I could probably get him a bed at TLC. He said he used methamphetamines sometimes but that he would like to get away from drugs. I called our manager and arranged to get him into our program and dropped him at our Dana Street location.
The next day when I inquired about the guy the manager told me that he had left during the intake interview. I guess that once he found out that he would have to attend peer groups, go to meetings, and eventually find a job and pay service fees he lost his motivation.
Actually he isn't unique. A large percentage of those who start out with a desire to get sober leave within a week or two. They like the idea of getting sober. But they don't like the idea that they might have to participate in their own recovery.
I know that once this man's life of living and using drugs on the street becomes too painful he'll find someplace that'll help him to get clean and sober. He has to undergo more suffering before he'll find the motivation to change.
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