If you hang around treatment centers for any length of time, you will eventually hear someone say (or say yourself) something on the order of “I already know this stuff.  Why should I stay here?”

This makes perfect sense, from the standpoint of someone in very early recovery.  In treatment, there are things that get repeated over and over.  That’s because we learn by repetition.  If we were studying for a part in a play, we would think nothing of going over our lines and actions repeatedly.  In recovery, we’re trying to replace old ways of instinctive thinking with new ones.  Repetition helps, but it can be the “same ol’ same ol’” after a while.

We know, however, that addicts often need a second or third trip through treatment before they actually learn what they need to know to change old behavior and stay clean and sober.  More…

(From the Sunrise Detox Blog, which I write.)