We Understand the pain of being an addict and the problems they face in asking for the help. Asking for the help when you are an addict is not an easy task and under this tremendous pressure people are likely to fall pray to addiction and give up. There are many instances when people have drugs in their hands, and they think about getting the help to regard Drug Abuse as well at them same time. But in reality, Getting the Help When You are an Addict is not difficult after all. Below mentioned are the few ways you can ask for help when you are a drug addict.
- Collect your thoughts and write an email to the right person. Because once you do that , there is no turning back
- Take an appointment with a Drug Rehab Professional. Meet him and pour your heart out in front of him
- There are a lot of online communities where you can connect with people going through the same stuff and with professionals as well
- Look for someone who has suffered from the same addiction problem. Ask them what it was like to ask for the help for the first time.
- Everyone has that trustworthy friend in his/her life. Go and meet that friend and discuss your problem. We are sure you will come out with some solution
What is Addiction?
When we think of drug addiction, we often think of the worst forms of it. It can be easy to judge, or ridicule someone for having an addiction as we seem to forget that substance use disorder is a mental health disorder and often times requires treatment. According to statistics from Addiction Center, nearly 21 million Americans have at least one addiction and yet as little as 10% of those battling this disorder ever seek treatment. If addiction affects such a large amount of the nation’s population, why are so few people seeking treatment?
Also Read: The Benefits of Physical Exercise during Substance Abuse Recovery
Removing Labels by Educating
Addiction/Substance Abuse disorder, just like most mental health disorders, have several misconceptions and stereotypes that most people seem to believe, unless properly educated. We live in a society that loves to place labels on others, especially negative ones. We hear terms such as druggy, lowlife, junkie, etc. to describe those with addictions before we even try to learn what may have led them to that lifestyle.
When we place such negative labels and assume the worst of those who struggle with addiction, it is not hard to imagine why they avoid asking for help. But what if we, as a society, educated ourselves on substance use disorders and addiction and the best ways to provide help and resources to those battling this disorder? What if we collectively build a safe space for these individuals to ask for and seek out the help they deserve?
How Do I Ask for Help with Addiction?
If you feel your addiction has taken over and is controlling your life, it IS time to ask for help. Admitting you have a problem is the first step. Acknowledge your addiction and ask for help. If you have someone in your life who you can talk to about your addiction (family member, friend, coworker, colleague, etc.) reach out. If anything, this person can guide you in the right direction as to where you can get the necessary help for your recovery.
Of course, however, we do not all have a support system in our lives that we can reach out to for help. Another option may be entering into one of the many addiction rehab centers that can be found a location near you. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA] National Helpline (1-800-622-4357) can assist with locating the best rehab centers near you. There are rehab centers located all throughout the nation and each have different financial payment options. SAMHSA can help you find an affordable program for your specific addiction.
SAMHSA can also help to locate other Addiction Treatment Centers or Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or opioid addiction centers. Sites such as Addiction Center and National Institute of Drug Abuse also serve as excellent resources to gather more information about your specific addiction and options for treatment and recovery.
How to Talk to Someone with an Addiction
Addiction holds many negative connotations, therefore when talking to someone with an addiction it is crucial that we remain nonjudgmental and meet the individual where they are in their recovery and readiness to change process. Our goal should be to provide them with a safe space to speak about their addiction and provide them with resources to receive help. We want them to feel listened to and heard and not blamed, shamed, or criticized about their addiction. We must have compassion and a desire to understand the person with an addiction as this can help build trust which can eventually lead to providing more support and resources for treatment.
Remember, Addiction is a Disorder and a disorder is an illness that disrupts normal life. Substance use disorder is a mental health disorder and most likely there are co-occurring disorders involved such as anxiety or depression. When talking to someone with an addiction, allow the person involved to do most of the talking. Try to understand their story and reasons that may have led them to this addiction. Listen to understand, not just to respond.
Tips for Helping Someone with an Addiction
Unless you have dealt with an addiction yourself, it can feel difficult to try to provide help with someone battling this disorder. Remember that all you need to do is help them find the professional help they need. Simply start by educating yourself on substance use disorders. This will allow you to begin gathering information on how to be there for someone with an addiction as well as different addiction treatment centers based on the individual’s specific addiction. You can use the site SAMHSA to locate some of the best rehab centers or other treatment programs near the individual with the addiction. It is important to remain compassionate and kind while engaging with someone with an addiction, however boundaries should still be in place. Addiction is a very serious illness and can cause a person to act in ways that are out of normal character. Setting boundaries will show the individual that you are here to help them seek help and not enable the addiction further.
What to Avoid when Talking to a Loved One About Addiction
When talking to a loved one about their addiction, you should avoid:
- Using blaming or criticizing language.
- Making the individual feel threatened or as if they are in any sort of trouble.
- Pushing or forcing them into treatment.
Alcohol Use Disorder is a very serious condition and can sometimes lead to fetal outcomes. If you are battling an addiction or know someone who is, contact us now at 1-877-372-0536 to learn about a variety of recovery resources available to you. Nobody should have to go through addiction alone!
