Why “Just Once in a While” So Often Fails After Rehab

Question

My husband has been away at rehab for the last three weeks and is coming home this weekend.  Before he left, he was stoned on cannabis all the time.  Now he says his plan is to use it just once in a while.  Does that sound wise to you?

Worried in Rockville

Dear Worried,

No, it doesn’t.  I understand your husband’s desire to use cannabis in moderation, but the odds against him are pretty high.  An addicted person typically repeatedly finds that they can't stick to the limits they set, even when they genuinely want to cut back and even when their use is causing harm.

Oh, I get the desire. I suspect that most people who are addicted to alcohol or cannabis go through a prolonged wishful period when they think they can simply moderate their use.  They see a lot of other people who are able to stop after a few drinks or hits, and the idea of never using their beloved substance again is incomprehensible. 

However, our research clearly shows that rehab patients who set goals of continuing to use their primary drug of choice after treatment are substantially less likely to be using less of it one year later than people who are determined to never use it again:

How Rehab Patient's Goals Impacted Their Use One Year After Treatment

 

I would encourage your husband to share his plans with his therapist before he leaves.  If he can’t be convinced to abandon his moderation goals, I’m afraid his cannabis use is likely to return to previous levels pretty quickly.

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