Having a drug or alcohol addiction creates a life full of chaos and confusion. Substance abuse holds a powerful influence over a person’s life causing them to live in the shadows, hidden by secrecy and shame. If you are struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, we are here to tell you that you are not alone. Many people from all walks of life, the young and the old, children and parents, the poor and the rich struggle with the disease of addiction. In this article, we will describe what it’s like to struggle with addiction and discuss why it can be so difficult to ask for help. Providing you with an easy-to-understand list of how to open up to your family (or someone you trust), we will describe how each tip will benefit you on your recovery journey. By asking for help before your addiction is severe, the option for outpatient treatment is available allowing you to regain control over your life without any major disruptions.
Understanding the Struggle of Addiction
What Addiction Feels Like: Addiction causes many negative feelings for the individual suffering. A loss of control and lack of ability to resist cravings even when desperately wanting to, feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, shame, and guilt are common feelings. Not only will we experience negative feelings when using but addictions will also cause negative consequences in our lives.
The Power of Secrecy and Shame: Most times, those who suffer from addiction live a life full of secrets, telling white lies and trying to hide their problem from the ones they love. The societal stigma associated with drug and alcohol abuse causes people to fear being thought of as a criminal or someone bad rather than a person with a disease. Worried about what people think and judgment of moral character, many people choose to live a life of addiction in the dark.
Barriers to Asking for Help: The first barrier to receiving help for addiction is denial. We must first recognize and accept our problem for what it is to receive the help we need. Next, the fear of disappointing our loved ones can hold us back along with the fear of judgment. Denial, fear, pride, and stigmas are all barriers to asking for help that need to be overcome.
Why It’s Important to Open Up About Your Addiction
Taking the First Step Towards Recovery: Once you have recognized your addiction for what it is, opening up to a family member or someone you trust is an important first step to initiating the journey to recovery.
Gaining Family Support: Healthy families provide built-in partners, cheerleaders, and friends for life. Having your family support is a powerful tool to have while in recovery to help keep you on track and hold you accountable when needed. Our families usually know us better than anyone and can recognize possible triggers or signs that we may be slipping into old habits.
Breaking the Cycle of Isolation: The weight of dealing with an addiction alone is a heavy load to bear. The feeling of isolation is lifted when we share our burden with others.
Preventing Severe Consequences: By opening up to someone as soon as possible, you can prevent your addiction from worsening. This allows for recovery options like outpatient programs which minimizes disruptions in your everyday life.
Tips for Telling Your Family About Your Addiction
Be Honest: Being completely honest, first with yourself and then with others, is the only way to recover completely. Preparing your thoughts in advance and speaking from the heart will help you communicate openly and show your emotional turmoil which can be more impactful than facts alone.
Write It Down: Taking your time to thoughtfully write down your confession, feelings, and request for help can keep you on track and avoid any distractions or interruptions while you are speaking.
Decide Who to Talk To: Choosing the right people to confide in may be one of the most difficult challenges. The people who care most about us are usually the ones we care most about and who we fear disappointing most. Choosing the right person to confess your addiction to ensures a compassionate and supportive response, helping you feel safe and understood as you open up.
Prepare for Mixed Reactions: While we may be the person struggling with the addiction, it may be equally difficult for our family members to hear. It is important to prepare for and expect various reactions. Being prepared for mixed reactions when coming clean about your addiction helps you stay grounded and resilient, allowing you to respond calmly and stay focused on your recovery goals regardless of others’ initial responses.
Choose the Right Time and Place: It is important to choose a private setting with a calm environment and a time that is not going to add any time constraints to the conversation. Choosing the right time and place to share your addiction ensures privacy and minimizes distractions, creating a safe environment where both you and the person you’re confiding in can focus fully on the conversation.
The Benefits of Seeking Help Before Addiction is Severe
The Advantage of Outpatient Treatment: For those in the early stages of addiction, outpatient treatment offers flexibility that allows a person to continue their daily lives while receiving support. An Ogden outpatient substance abuse treatment program can be customized to your specific needs and schedule, allowing you to use the skills gained in recovery in your daily routine.
Maintaining Control Over Responsibilities: Seeking help and receiving early intervention helps a person stay connected to work, family, and other commitments causing less disruption to daily life.
Building Strong Coping Mechanisms for Long-lasting Recovery: Outpatient treatment programs focus on the development of life skills to manage triggers, stress, and cravings. The development of these important coping mechanisms helps in preventing relapse and promoting a long-lasting recovery.
The Power of Confession
Opening up about addiction is a courageous and life-changing step. By choosing honesty, preparing for mixed reactions, and sharing your journey with the right people at the right time, you can set a strong foundation for recovery and receive the support that is vital for success. If you do not have someone in your life to open up to, at Diamond Recovery Center we offer support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Taking the step to seek help early not only prevents addiction from worsening but also opens the door to flexible treatment options like outpatient therapy, enabling you to regain control while managing daily responsibilities. Remember, recovery is a journey best taken with those who care about you, and with courage, commitment, and support, a brighter future is possible.
