WHOSE FAULT IS IT?

[HairOfTheDog]

I've had both a friend and a family member relapse and end up using/drinking with friends who they met in group meetings, like it seems sally's dad did.

You have a better chance beating cancer than remaining clean and sober.

Relapse stats are effin' frightening!

And "No." I don't think users lack will power.

Have you ever witnessed what a user will do in order to satisfy their addiction?

Too bad that type of "will power" isn't directed towards their recovery.

Yeah, the relapse rates are discouraging, Tiki. Last I read, the relapse percentage after treatment was around 60%. I have a lot of respect for addicts who are committed to managing their recovery for the rest of their lives and stay clean and sober. I don't know if those who manage to do it have more willpower, or higher intelligence, or a stronger drive to survive, or what. I have more questions than answers when it comes to addiction.

Recidivism rates for criminals are around 80%; very discouraging too. Course, there's a lot of overlap between addicts and criminals - somewhere around 85% of criminals are reported to have been long term or lifelong substance abusers when they committed their crimes. I don't think "rehabilitation" in jail/prison is a reality, except in a minority of the incarcerated population. Again, I don't know if those who manage to turn themselves around have more willpower, or better support systems, or a stronger thirst for freedom, or what.

In the end, I think as adults we're all responsible for our actions and managing our problems, whether we've brought them on ourselves or they were somehow put upon us via environment, genetics, or a combination of factors. IMO, some people probably just don't give a shit about themselves and others and use "addiction" as an excuse, while others have some form of physical, psychological, or mental condition that makes it much more difficult to do what they know they need to do.

In short, I don't know shit about shit. But, I seriously try to understand as much as I can. Lotta experts on "addiction" have very different opinions about its causes and treatments - many of them make sense simultaneously though they conflict. People are tricky.