Expert: Crystal - 9/30/2007

Question
A close friend of mine has a on and off relationship with a guy who is very addicted to drugs and will not get help for it. He lies about it and refuses to do anything about it. He has a requirement to go to rehab by the state after going to court, it's been three weeks and he has not started. Will he go to jail when his six weeks is up? It sounds like it's the best thing for him right now. She is too in love with him to cut off ties with him and I hate to see her this way. Is there anything either me or my friend could do?

Thank you very much for your time,
Sara.

Answer
Sara,

It depends on the state and what the judge stated to him when he was before him. If he was told to get into treatment and only had 6 weeks to comply then yes he may very well go back to jail and if he refuses to do what the law has ordered him to do then maybe jail is what he needs right now. Sometimes it takes that kind of time out to get your head where it should be but doesn't work on everyone. Make sense? Your friend is owning his addiction for him mentally so he doesn't have to and that is not fair to either of them. She needs to put it back on him and allow him to fall on his face if need be. Once you start hurting for the one you love who has an addiction and they don't accept their addiction then you are carrying that baggage for them.
Only time will tell how the ball will roll.
You are obviously a great friend but you need to let it fold out like it should