What’s the likelihood that my boyfriend will remain sober after his 10th attempt at a rehabilitation center?

[honeynut-scenarios]

My boyfriend has been an alcoholic since the age of 18 to now 27. Whiskey is his poison, and during benders, he’ll drink a handle plus some every day for days- weeks straight. The longest he’s been consecutively sober in those years is 4 months after attending a 30 day rehab. He’s now at a 6 month long program. He’s been there for two months now, and is still showing signs of relapse. I know it’s still early and I’m trying my best to remain hopeful, but what are the chances?

[SueShe]

I hate to bring it to you this way but the chances are pretty slim because he does not see the benefits himself to remain sober.

He is institutionalized now but I have my doubts that he is the one that wanted to go to those lengths to attempt to remain sober.

The fact that he was in and out of sobriety indicates that he just does not have the willpower to remain sober for a longer period of time. Also, his environment has a huge impact on his will to change. If he is permanently with people that push him to have a drink, he will never be able to say no.

The only reason for him to remain sober is if his life depends on sobriety but as long as this is not the case, he will relapse over and over again. I am sorry for you having to put up with this addiction.

[honeynut-scenarios]

Thank you for your response. It took some convincing, but ultimately he decided to go to this 6 month program. He is working towards sobriety, but after so many years of this, his brain is washed and I feel he needs more time than 6 months to fully heal. His withdrawals have become extreme to the point of hearing voices, seeing things that aren’t there, and feeling as if he’s in an entirely different location. Doctors say once he reaches this point of psychosis, he will experience these same withdrawals every single time. That is terrifying to him, but I don’t know if that’s enough. He’s willing to do the work, but also resistant at times, as he’s eager to get back to the ‘real world.’

[SueShe]

I hope he can overcome this addiction because if he does not, the next issue may be a liver cirrhosis and if everything goes wrong, he may not even receive a transplant because the waiting list is so long and priority is given to those that are not directly responsible for their condition.

I sincerely hope he sees that he cannot continue like that. Good luck to you.

[SueShe]

Thanks for the MHO and good luck to you

[honeynut-scenarios]

Thank you so much!! You’ve been a lot of help ♥️

[SnakeBoop]

You;re still with him?
Well then. some people are moronic.
TEN FUCKING TIMES GIRL.

[honeynut-scenarios]

9 of those occurred before I met him. Some people have bigger hearts than others. Until you’ve seen addiction for yourself, or loved someone who struggles so badly with it, you shouldn’t be so judgmental.

[SnakeBoop]

You also assume I haven't so you need to practice what you preach to not come across as an idiot.
But, you already proved that anyway...

[SnakeBoop]

But let me guess, "you were gonna change him"?
You can have a big heart but not be a doormat or a moron.

[GingerGuy]

Slim. It's great for him if you still have hope, and hopefully he can see that support that you're giving him (might be too self absorbed?), but you also have to stay realistic. The fact he went is a good thing, and hopefully one of these times it'll "click" for him and work, but also try not to be "too hopeful". You've also only stated the facts, and we don't know where he is mentally, which is huge. Example is he "forced" there, or does he really want to be there and change his life?

[dudeinohio]

The alcoholic has to admit to themselves he has a problem. Then, they must seriously realize they require treatment... for themselves... not because of anyone else.

[nachosaresexy]

That's obviously a really difficult situation all around. Have you talked with a therapist yourself? It's clear you care about him and want to help, but you might need to consider changing your approach as well... even to the extreme of removing him from your life (and vice versa) until if/when he's able to show true signs of rehabilitation, and the commitment that would have to go along with it.

[boggboss]

Impossible to know the want or need to drink will mostly always be there just down to if he can resist some manage it others don't

[SignedAutographs]

It's sort of like depression. You never really "get over" being an alcoholic. Has he tried AA.

[honeynut-scenarios]

He used to say AA is a cult. He’s been to hundreds of meetings during these years. The place he’s at now requires him to attend them 7 days a week. I don’t know if a particular person or story can alter his mindset where he too sees alcohol as poison, but I hope he finds the help he so badly needs.

[bradley142]

it can happen but he has to want to change for himself my brother n law was bad like he was drunk everyday by 10 in the morning it took losing my sister for him to wake up his hands shake bad now over not drinking but he is doing much better after little over a year but still fights it some i hope he gets better for himself and you

[Cowboy6666]

I think you should move on...
There are better guys for you ;)

[BillyBalls]

Rehab doesn't work unless the person wants to quit.

[In_Trance]

not likely