If you have a loved one battling an addiction, you may be frustrated that they are not willing to receive treatment. Although it is apparent that they need help, addiction is a cunning, baffling, and powerful disease. It convinces you that you are okay while slowly taking away everything important to you, including your life. Although many people cope with their anxiety by becoming hostile or disengaged, the pain is still present. If you understand their fears, you’ll be able to be more patient and supportive of them, and you’ll have a better chance of getting them into therapy.
Table of Contents
Avoiding Withdrawals
Many addicts and alcoholics are terrified of going through withdrawal. It is also a major impediment that encourages individuals to use even when they desire to stop. When someone is going through drug withdrawal, they will experience a variety of symptoms. Some, like delirium tremens (DTs) after alcohol withdrawal, are specific to each substance, while others are universal. The intensity of the symptoms is determined by the patient’s general health and family history of addiction. The amount and length of their drug usage, as well as the stressful environment in which they live or work, can all play a role.
It is important to educate them on the benefits of going through detox with proper medical supervision. Although drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant, medications will be administered by a professional to minimize the severity of the symptoms. Psychological support will be provided to make the detox experience as safe and comfortable as possible.
Face your fears and live a better life. Contact our treatment experts to find the right treatment for you!
Comfortable With Discomfort Is A Thing
“If you stay too long in a bad situation you will get comfortable and forget that it’s bad.”
-Unknown
The disease of addiction is a master of fabricating this dilemma. The abused substance offers short bursts of relief and euphoria that give the individual a sense of control. It eventually takes more and more of the drug to accomplish the same effect, leading to dependency. The positive stimulation leads the person unknowingly on a path to chaos. Before they know it, what began in the name of comfort has become their greatest discomfort.
The great news is that if you have breath in your lungs, it’s never too late to change direction. Once you are facing the right direction, all you have to do is keep going.
Fear Of Reliving Traumatic Experiences
“Sometimes you have to feel the pain to heal the pain.”
-Jay Shetty
Substance use disorders commonly co-occur with other mental health afflictions. Many people turn to self-medication to numb the pain of past experiences. Although this is understandable, it’s not sustainable. Turning to drugs or alcohol will only temporarily alleviate the underlying issues. Eventually, as the unhealthy coping mechanisms grow into addiction, it will lead to further trauma.
Learning new skills to work through trauma is a necessary step in recovery. It can be scary to face the past, but with help, it can be done safely and effectively. Going to therapy sessions or entering into an outpatient treatment program will give the tools needed to let go of the past.
Doesn’t Want To Admit Wrongdoing
There is a reason that this is the first step in most recovery programs. You cannot solve a problem unless you first admit there is one. Again, addiction is cunning and tricks the mind into believing everything is fine. Convincing someone they have a problem can be difficult. If positive encouragement and discontinuing enabling behavior don’t spark change, it might be time to perform an intervention.
Asking For Help Is A Sign Of “Weakness”
Fear of being a burden, worry of imposing, and fear of being too needy are all reasons why people are afraid to ask for help. No one wants to be perceived as weak, this is especially true in the male population. The stigma that still surrounds addiction also adds to this thinking. Many people still believe that addiction is a moral failing. Although, the American Medical Association (AMA) classified alcoholism as a disease in 1956 and included addiction as a disease in 1987. Regardless, the stigma still remains.
Fear Of Abandonment Is Real
This coincides with the unwillingness to admit there is a problem. Individuals feel that if they expose the truth everyone they love will leave them. They fear that they will be looked at or treated differently. The truth is that the path they are on is more likely to cause this issue.
Substance Use Becomes A Part Of Their Identity
“We become what we repeatedly do”
-Sean Covey
Addiction is a progressive disease, it develops slowly over time. During this progression, you have to remember that life is happening and life may be great before it becomes unmanageable. Cutting out something that has been a part of your life for an extended time is extremely difficult for everyone, even the unhealthy habits. The fear of missing out or losing certain friends is real.
We are all shaped by our habits and routines, sometimes it’s hard to notice a negative cycle while in the middle of it. It’s imperative to encourage and embrace change because that’s what promotes growth. An intense outpatient program is a great first step in recognizing patterns to help navigate towards recovery.
How We Can Help You
At Ethan Crossing, we combine a number of different methods to suit each individual patient. From cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to the traditional 12-step program, we offer a wide array of therapies in our drug rehab program to ensure that you have all the support that you need. You will be able to revisit past traumas and learn to understand how they have contributed to your substance abuse. And we have other therapies such as music and yoga to quiet your mind and help you unleash your potential.
Please don’t battle your addiction alone. With the help of the team at Ethan Crossing Recovery, you can begin the journey toward lifelong recovery. To learn more about the treatment options available, please contact our team today at 833.691.0736.
