Rehab

[Reverse Transcriptase]

Last week my friend R. sent me a text message: "Yo im in rehab but should be out in a few wks." R. drinks a lot and smokes a lot of weed, but her big problem is stimulants. She snorts coke and neurontin. I assume she's in rehab for that.

I responded: "R. we love you, and owe you hugs when you get out!" Looking back on it... it seems a little shallow and stupid.

That's the only communication I've had with her. Now, R. and I aren't that close of friends- our mutual friend C. is what brings us together, but C. is abroad.

You guys might know more than me. What's the best way to comfort a friend who's in rehab?

 

[bdz]

Just make sure she knows that you've got her back and that you're there for her, keep strong etc. I'm sure it can be a pretty rough, lonely experience being in rehab.

 

[grey matters]

Sometimes people in rehab are not allowed to have contact with the outside world. It depends on the program. You could contact the facility or her relatives and ask if, and/or when you could contact her.

Just know that facility staff might be suspicious of you because they don't know you, (for all they know you could be her drug dealer or the friend who peer pressured her into doing drugs in the first place) and her family may not be helpful either, (they may be embarrassed that she is in rehab, or be to overwhelmed by feelings of guilt, and thus not want to help you.) There also might be a privacy issue, and facility staff might not be allowed to talk with you (I assume this problem would be further complicated if she is underage). Come to think of it, the privacy issue might be a real problem, but I don't think it would hurt to try.


Also she might be going through some pretty heavy stuff right now and just not wish to talk with anyone. Addiction is more of a psychological problem then a physical one.

 

[Reverse Transcriptase]

I posted this awhile ago- and R. is out of rehab! She has been going to alcoholic anonymous for a couple months and has been completely sober, from what I've heard.

 

[grey matters]

oops I didn't read your post date, I just read the date of the post above me. Oh well. I hope she is doing well. Is there anyway for you to pursue the situation and find out what happened between you two? It might be beneficial to do this.

 

[Perseus]

I am inclined to think that INTPs may take stimulants to get boring and tedious work done, speeds up the CNS reactions and stops the day-dreaming. It can act as a stiumulus to break out of the rut and then the natural adrenalin takes over and the pills aren't needed any more ???

I donlt suppose rehab would suit me any more than the army. The Horsemen (ESFJ) prefer Heroin. Something, that I would hate.