Courage in Drug Rehab
Clients arrive at a drug and alcohol rehab center most commonly missing one thing. That thing is courage. I’m not talking about the ability to fight, or place themselves in dangerous situations. I’m talking about real courage. Courage in this context is the mental and moral fibre to go out and work, change and live according to what is right reguardless of fear, uncertainty, or difficulty. I have read in several different places, ( I’m not sure of the original author) that the opposite of courage is not fear. The opposite of courage is indifference.
If you asked me what was the single most damaging trait that most people with addiction have it is indifference. They have is to their health, body, self image, other people, rules, goals, and pretty much everything else. All drug and alcohol rehab centers work in one way or another to combat this indifference. The endlees lists of rules at a rehab are about combating this. By removing drugs and alcohol, making safety a priorty, and stopping all physical, mental, verbal and racial violence, the center is making a stand for what is right. Sometimes rules are not popular. But enforcing them fairly and ensuring safety is courageous. Taking a stand is the opposite of indifference. Respect is the opposite. Disipline is the opposite. There are lot’s of ways to learn courage, having someone model it is one of them. Rehabs need courage, rehabs need to stand up to indifference.