As Rob Ford returns from rehab, addiction expert warns of pitfalls at home and work

As Toronto Mayor Rob Ford returns to his daily life after two months away seeking treatment for substance abuse, he faces a number of potential triggers and pitfalls that could be found anywhere from the office to his household.

And while Ford appears aware of the depth of the struggle ahead of him, he returns to a high-stress job with no publicly-known plan to handle the dangers that lie ahead.

In a collection of one-on-one interviews Ford held on Wednesday – the first insight offered since he returned to work – Ford said he was not afraid to return to work because he loves the job of mayor.

"This is what I love to do. This is not causing the disease. I've had this disease for a long time," Ford said during an interview with CBC News journalist Dwight Drummond.

"This is part of life; if you understand how the disease works it has nothing to do with your profession."

During the CBC interview, and a subsequent interview with CP24, Ford repeatedly stated that his substance addiction was a disease, which he would be fighting the rest of his life.

But Ford offered very little other insight into his situation, declining to discuss his troubled past, controversies that arose while he was in rehab or his plans for balancing work with recovery.

Addiction specialists say that while addicts are able to return to work during their recovery, they should come back aware of the troubles that come with it, and with a plan on how to handle them.

Tom Gabriel, vice president of the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation, says recovering addicts tend to follow a "graduated return to work" program.

"Recovery is a slippery slope. People are known to relapse and if they do have a relapse then they learn from it and they get right back on the path to sobriety again. And they learn from where they went wrong," Gabriel told Yahoo Canada News.

In an interview discussing the potential pitfalls of a recovering addict, Gabriel noted that returning to work and to their familial routines can bring about significant challenges.

"They've got to deal with life on its terms without their substance of choice," Gabriel said. "Hopefully when they return from rehab, they should have a plan before they leave. And it's about sticking with that plan and sticking with a plan that is particular to their needs."

Most rehab facilities will work with the patient to establish an ongoing recovery strategy, which could include counselling, after-care and 12-step meetings.

Gabriel added that family members often play significant roles in recovery efforts. Because they are the patient's base of support, but also because of the tendency families have of enabling the patient.

"The tendency of enabling is to shield the person from the true consequences," Gabriel said. "So it's usually fixing things quickly, like cleaning up their mess or phoning in sick (to work) or stuff like that. (Families) need to stop doing that."

Gabriel said those close to the recovering addict should watch for any return to old behaviours or broken promises as evidence of a potential relapses.

If they become evasive or secretive, it could be because they are trying to hide something. Those closest to the subject, especially family, should watch for cancelled meetings or skipped therapy sessions.

Ford's recovery will come with extra potential pitfalls, considering his celebrity status and the stress that comes with his job as mayor.

During his Wednesday interviews, Ford evaded several questions, specifically those regarding his relationship with alleged criminals and his refusal to participate in police investigations.

He referred those questions to his lawyer. When asked about a woman charged with taking his car out of rehab and being charged with drinking and driving, Ford referred questions to his rehab facility, though he did admit to giving her the keys himself.

Here are some of the notable admissions made by Ford:

• He denied ever doing drugs in his office at city hall, though confessed, "I was definitely on the influence of alcohol while I was in here."

• He confessed to smoking crack in a photograph obtained by The Globe and Mail before he went to rehab.

• He told CBC that he did all kinds of drugs. When asked if that included crack and heroin, he said: "You name it." He later told CP24 that he has consumed mushrooms, but never did heroin.

• He claimed his addiction made him say racist, sexist and homophobic things. "I can't even imagine using that terminology," he said.

Here are some of the notable omissions, things Ford would not discuss:

• He could not say why the public should believe he is ready to handle his duties as mayor.

• He refused to discuss his relationship with Lee Anne McRobb, the woman charged with drinking and driving in his vehicle.

• He refused to say why he still won't allow himself to be interviewed by police, or discuss his relationship with others being investigated.

• He would not say whether his friend and former driver Alexander Lisi was his drug dealer.

• He refused to answer questions about his future as mayor should he relapse.

• He refused to agree to allow himself to be randomly drug tested at work.

• He evaded an opportunity to offer a direct apology to Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair for offensive comments he had previously made.

During his questioning, Ford repeatedly returned to a personal mantra, claiming, "I know I didn't drink yesterday and I know I didn't drink today."

While that is an important internal realization for a recovering addict to reach, just as important is executing the necessary changes to help stay on the straight and narrow. The lifestyle recovering addicts are returning to may have played a role in the first place. It's important to realize that, and admit when changes are necessary.

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