Do You Need Help With a Drug and Alcohol Addiction?

When You Need Help With An Addiction?

No matter your background, addiction doesn’t discriminate – it affects people from all walks of life, including high court judges, ex-presidents’ bodyguards, high-performance athletes and those who’ve faced homelessness. You’re not alone in this. Addiction isn’t about character flaws or a lack of willpower; it’s a health issue that needs treatment and a new way of living.

You might recall how using alcohol or drugs initially felt positive, perhaps making you feel whole, helping you cope and function better. But, as you know, that’s not the whole story. The addiction worsened and so did the consequences. You might have thought your situation was unique, feeling isolated in your struggle. Some of us were in denial until treatment, while others reached a point where self-deception was no longer possible. The chaos of active addiction only grows, along with its impacts on family, work and overall life management.

Here’s the good news: embracing sobriety doesn’t equate to a joyless life. While the initial phase might be tough, you’ll soon find yourself living free from the compulsion to use. You’ll start enjoying a life of sobriety, engaging in activities you never thought possible. Rehab is more than just a chance to quit substances; it’s an opportunity to rebuild your life in a way that brings you happiness and fulfillment.

Just “Get Over It”

Very few people, including ourselves, truly understand what “getting over it” means. Each person is different. Sometimes, breaking an addiction is as simple as deciding one day that it’s “over,” and then they move on to live your best life. Unfortunately we don’t all live in that ideal world of just “getting over it”, the reality is that for many of us, overcoming these issues requires more effort as they are entrenched in learned behaviors and coping mechanisms that are beyond our immediate control.

Overcoming drug/alcohol abuse and addiction is a challenging prospect for many, extending beyond mere willpower and character strength. The first step, which is often the hardest, involves acknowledging you have a problem and deciding to make a critical change in your life.

It’s normal to experience anxiety and uncertainty about starting your recovery, doubting your ability to quit or change and perhaps coming up with countless excuses why it won’t work. You might even deny the problem exists or deflect responsibility. But deep down, if we were truly happy, we wouldn’t inflict this on ourselves or wish it upon others. We do want change; we just want it on our own terms.

Committing to sobriety involves changing many aspects of your life, including how you handle stress, the people you associate with, your hobbies, your self-perception and your medication use. Feeling conflicted about giving up your drug of choice is common, even when you are aware of its negative impact. Remember, recovery requires time, motivation and support but it is achievable with a commitment to change that comes from within, even if it’s small.

To initiate this change, keeping track of your drug use, including when and how much you use, is helpful. Assess the pros and cons of quitting, as well as the costs and benefits of continuing your drug use. Reflect on what’s important to you, such as your family, career and health and consider how your drug use affects these areas. Seek input from a trusted person about your drug use and identify any barriers to change, along with resources that could support your recovery.

Asking For Help

Preparing to ask a loved one for help with a drug or alcohol use disorder can be daunting, as their reactions may vary. They might respond with shock, shame, confusion or anger. Such reactions are often less about judgment and more about concern for your well-being and the impact of substance misuse on your life. Communicating your intention to seek help and explaining that addiction is a recognised medical condition can clarify your needs and goals.

It’s also possible that your family member may already be aware of your struggles, having noticed signs like mood changes, withdrawal from loved ones, difficulties in daily life, loss of interest in hobbies, risky behaviors, sleep disturbances and weight changes. Even if their initial reaction isn’t as supportive as you’d hoped, they may still offer their support as you work towards recovery.

If you feel uncomfortable discussing your substance use disorder with someone close, remember that there are other supportive individuals and resources you can turn to for help. This is prettymuch why WeDoRecover exists. It’s not like we woke up one morning and decided to help people find treatment, we woke up hungover, confused, broken and wanting change or wanting to die. This site is about the fact that we have been where you are right now. Right exactly where you are now, feeling like there is no hope and no help and that’s why this site exists. We can and do recover with the right guidance and support we do the rest ourselves.

At WeDoRecover, we offer you confidential, non-judgmental, confidential support to explore your treatment options. Whether you’re in the UK, Europe, South Africa, Australia or elsewhere, recovery is possible and with the right mindset probable – no matter the substance – no matter the circumstance. People like you and me can lead a fulfilling life without drugs or alcohol.

We’ll talk with you to understand your needs, advising on a treatment center where you’ll feel comfortable and receive the care you require. We partner with reputable, private rehabs known for their clinical excellence but mostly in helping people like you re-find the hope that will drive you into your future.

Getting Help With Therapy

This won’t go away on its own. We don’t heal in isolation. That’s not how human beings are built.

To find peace you need to view your problems through a new lens, separate fact from fiction, re-program and reboot – nothing does that better than talking to someone who knows the path. Human beings have done this for thousands of years; nowadays, it’s just called therapy and there are some humans who are pretty good at it.

Seeking therapy is a significant step, often accompanied by a mix of emotions, including relief, fear and sometimes a sense of defeat, especially if it’s not your first attempt. It’s challenging to suggest therapy to a loved one struggling with low moods or depression without causing upset and conflict.

Yet, recognising the need for professional help and taking action is a commendable step towards prioritising your health and well-being.

While medication can alleviate some symptoms, it’s not a cure-all for mental and emotional issues and doesn’t address larger life problems like relationship conflicts or unhealthy choices.

Therapy, although demanding and involving confrontation with difficult emotions, offers long-term benefits. It aids in improving relationships, shaping the life you desire and handling life’s challenges more effectively and landing the concepts that your mind needs to recover.

When choosing between therapy and counselling, consider the therapist’s experience with your specific issues, especially their experience with addiction care. Many therapists specialise in areas like depression or eating disorders and for complex issues like trauma, a specialist’s expertise is key yet still might not be able to deal with the added complexity of addiction cases.

This is why addiction focused therapists tend to land themselves in rehabs talking to people about their addictions along side depression, anxiety and trauma. Addiction treatment is not quite the same as your friendly local councillor (not to detract from the great work of independent therapists) but inside a proper rehab the path to care can be substantially better as there multiple therapists with direct experience in addiction cases working out better plans for their patients – and it’s just that simple – more minds on the problem can be better than one.