I know someone in jail right now, 26, who isn't in jail for addiction, but is most certainly an addict. (Heroin, weed, who knows what else). He is in jail for a slew of other things, really stupid things like continuously driving without a license, or registration, or insurance and the points piling up from driving/traffic infractions: NONE of which include DUI's, drugs, if you can believe that. Hard to believe, but true. This guy has messed up in all areas of his young life over & over. He's probably held a job at every fast food place or restaurant in the area - never keeping a job longer than a year, if he was lucky. Had a kid 2 months after graduating from HS, and while he adores the child, is a deadbeat father who is not motivated enough to keep a job to help support it. He is not with the babymomma. (Thank goodness, and she has moved on and found a good, decent guy.)
He most definitely has a mental illness - but HE won't accept treatment. I know this for a fact - he is a friend of our family. I also know he has had 1 overdose which the family never knew about until bills came to the mailbox while he was in jail.
He has NOT been a stellar prisoner. (He has been in since October and due to get out in a month) I am not sure how it is possible to not be a good prisoner, when you are locked up and have very basic rules for living and surviving. He messed up his work release privilege TWICE by stupid things: coming back late and something else I don't remember. He has had contraband he wasn't supposed to have - stupid crap like a pen or an extra book, or something stupid like that. (BUT!!! extremely easy to just not have and just follow the basic rules..but somehow, he won't) Once he smoked a freaking cigarette in jail and then lied that he didn't! In JAIL.
How can you not follow simple basic rules?!
So, I have no illusions that when he gets out he will automatically revert to a model citizen. I hope he will seek treatment for his mental illness, but he doesn't seem motivated to do it.
I am quite sure he will use again, and his parents know it. It is only a matter of time.