When addiction to a substance begins to rule your life, getting treatment is the right step to take. It can seem daunting at first, but when you look at all the resources available, it doesn’t have to be so bad. Just finding a place that can give you some answers and a phone number to call can be a good start. The internet allows you to find help without anyone else knowing. Sometimes the hardest part of getting help is feeling like you have to tell your friends and family. But, doing a little digging on your own and setting up a plan can all be done confidentially online.
Do You Have to Use Medication to Get Clean?
There are many different forms of treatment and ways to go about getting through substance abuse. One way to do so is by using a holistic approach. This is a natural approach of treatment and is a great step to take if you don’t want to use chemicals. No pharmaceuticals are used, which can be a useful approach for individuals that may have abused commonly prescribed drugs. Holistic treatment centers let the body heal by using its natural process through things such as exercise, vitamins, meditation, or even acupuncture. These methodologies can help to diminish feelings of anxiety, fatigue, uneasiness, etc.
Do You Even Have a Substance Abuse Problem?
When looking at alcohol abuse, sometimes it can be hard to determine if treatment is necessary. With alcohol being so prevalent in today’s society, abuse may be overlooked or not even realized. There are a few key ways to tell when alcohol is a problem or just something used for socializing and fun. If you find yourself drinking too fast, too often, or just too much, that can be an indicator of a problem. Nearly 17 million people over the age of 18 have some kind of alcohol abuse disorder. This disorder is diagnosed by doctors when the use of alcohol causes distress or harm. There are obviously many levels to the severity of the abuse, but looking at a few different questions and how they are answered can give some indication. For example, have you ever had times when you drank more or longer than you intended, or tried to cut down on drinking but couldn’t? If the answer is yes, you may be suffering from alcoholism.
Can You Look for Other Signs as Well?
Not only may you need to look for substance abuse signs in yourself, but you may be concerned about a loved one too. Noticing things like mood changes is important. Someone who is usually happy getting really angry, or upset over something that wouldn’t normally upset them may be using. Starting to see struggles with school or work and bad attendance or low grades can be an indicator of abuse, as well. For teens and young adults, a sudden change in friends and not wanting to introduce those friends to family members may be a sign that substance abuse is happening. There may be a feeling of despondence as well that could be a red flag. Of course, there are the physical changes to look for like slurred speech or memory lapses. It’s important to keep these in mind for you or loved ones and be aware because substance abuse is everywhere and no one is immune to it.
So, What if You Want Treatment?
If you are questioning the need to get help or even just seeking some information, it can’t hurt to inquire. Getting treatment is the right step! So, where do you go from here? Treatment for alcohol abuse is usually led by health professionals and can be in the form of changing the behavior or prescribing medication. Behavioral treatment can be done in a few different forms, some of which are more invasive that others. Typical one-on-one counseling is one way to go, as well as small group sessions (commonly know as “AA”), or marriage and family counseling can help too. Either way, treatment cannot hurt and is the right step to bettering your life, as well as those around you.
How Did Your Addiction Even Happen?
A common question to ask when wondering if getting treatment is the right step is how did your addiction start? It is very common to have two coinciding disorders that lead to some type of abuse. One common occurrence is when someone is experiencing depression, they may turn to drugs or alcohol in order to combat some of those troubling feelings. This is often something seen in youth since sorting out issues and feelings can be harder on them.
There are many factors that play into why someone may start using drugs or get addicted to them without even knowing it. Life is hard, and dealing with its everyday ups and downs is not something people were born knowing how to do. There is no reason to feel bad or guilty as to why or how substance abuse may have started, but there is a way out. Getting treatment is the right step, and it will help, if you let it.
Will Everything Be Okay?
It’s okay to be hesitant that getting help will indeed help. There are so many resources and people who are willing to help that there’s no need to feel hopeless, alone, embarrassed, stupid, or any negative emotions. Everything can be turned around with treatment and dedication! There are options in every state and funded programs to help you get on the road to recovery. Believe in yourself, and focus on the life you want.
