My ex sister in law takes a cab since she doesn't drive due to diabetes/feet issues. Anyways this cab driver told her he had used meth,heroin for years. Lost everything job, house, family, kids, etc. Went to prison for 5 years. During that 5 years he had time to think about his life, his choices, the path that got him there. When he got out- he moved to another city and started again. Never contacted old drug friends, etc. He had totally break away from the old life. He has been drug free for 10 years now. There is always hope- that they will correct their lives- but it make take time in prison for that to happen.