Let’s face it, there is a massive stigma surrounding people dealing with drug and substance abuse. These issues should be handled with care and treated like any other mental health disorder. Health professionals have confirmed that addiction is a chronic brain disease. Chronic means that the addiction is long term and may be challenging to get rid of. Fortunately, when a person seeks addiction treatment, they can begin a life of recovery.
The biggest problem addicts face however, is speaking it out and admitting they struggle with addiction. Many people shy away from starting conversations about their struggles for fear of being judged, turned away, or labeled. So, how do you open up to your loved ones about your addiction? Atlanta Recovery Place is here to give you a few tips to help you successfully deliver the information.
How to Establish Whether You Are Addicted or Not
The most surefire way of knowing whether you are addicted is whether you can survive without the substance or not. Before you break down the news to your family, it’s helpful to understand your level of addiction. In most cases, people dealing with substance abuse think that they can stop anytime they want. The aspect of being addicted comes when it’s very late and the person’s brain no longer has the option of choosing.
If you have been using drugs or alcohol with a group of friends, you are likely to assume that it is normal, especially if everyone consumes the same amount. You may also not worry about your finances going low because you are funding your substance use.
While addiction occurs at different rates for different people, there are some signs that are common for almost everyone. They include:
- Struggling financially
- Spending time thinking about finding and acquiring drugs or alcohol
- Compromising relationships with family and friends
- Failing to attend work or becoming unproductive
- Increasing the amount of dosage you take over time
- Making attempts to stop but are unable to
- Developing health complications but continue using drugs anyway
- Using drugs despite negative experiences and consequences
If you have experienced one or several of the symptoms mentioned above, the chances are that you may be dealing with addiction. Depending on the duration of your addiction, it may be mild, moderate, or severe. If you come to the realization that you have a problem and need help, a great first step to take is opening up to a family member or friend. By telling them what you are going through, they can help you seek addiction treatment and support you during recovery.
Tips to Help Reveal Your Addiction
In most cases, family members and friends are already aware when a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol before being told. It is nearly impossible to hide addiction as it comes with significant social, mental, and physical impact. Your loved ones know you better than you think, and although they may not know right away you’re struggling with addiction, they will definitely know something is wrong. However, whether your family knows or not, it is still important to open up to them and discuss your addiction.
You don’t need to wait to find the ‘right time’
When you discover that your addiction is beyond you, you may need to take action quickly before it gets out of hand. It may never seem like there will be a right time to come clean but don’t let that discourage you. Whenever you feel comfortable to open up, whether it’s day or night, is when it will be the right time.
Write down what you want to say
Before you approach your family and friends, it may be helpful to write down what you want to say. This will allow you to organize your thoughts beforehand and make sure you tell them everything you want to say.
Be honest
This is the time to be honest and don’t hold back! By letting a loved one in on what you’ve been doing, they’ll be able to better help you find the right addiction treatment. It will also feel therapeutic to get everything off your chest.
Make an amends
If you feel like there is anything you’d like to apologize for, this is also a good time to do that. Addiction can sometimes negatively impact loved ones. By making an apology, you are showing you understand what your family feels and is going through, and you are letting them know that you are ready to change, and get back to your previous self.
Let Us Help You Get Sober
At Atlanta Recovery Place, we are a holistic addiction treatment provider located in beautiful Atlanta, Georgia. We offer partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs. Our customized addiction treatment plans are generally designed to help people who suffer from drug abuse and alcoholism. We also tailor our treatment based on your level of addiction, age, and duration of abuse. We are dedicated to meet all your individual needs with the mission of helping you maintain long-term sobriety. Feel free to contact us today, and we will be happy to help you.