Making a Decision
Making the decision to enter treatment isn’t easy. It’s common for men and women who are struggling with drug or alcohol abuse to make excuses for their behavior, but acknowledging the full extent of the problem is a vital part of the recovery process. You can’t move forward until you can see what needs to change.
Addiction Excuse #1: It’s Embarrassing to Admit I Need Help
Unfortunately, there are still many people who believe addiction is a sign of a personal failing. They view substance abuse as being caused by a lack of willpower instead of a legitimate illness. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Suffering from a substance use disorder is no more embarrassing than being diagnosed with high blood pressure, asthma, arthritis, or any other chronic illness. Addiction is a disease that requires treatment, and the only sensible thing to do is to seek help from professionals who know how to develop a care plan that best fits your unique needs.
Addiction Excuse #2: I’m More Fun When I’m Drinking or Using
Often, people believe that drinking or doing drugs is part of having a vibrant social life. They imagine that when they’re under the influence, they’re the life of the party. The truth, however, is much less appealing.
When you’re abusing drugs and alcohol, your judgment is impaired. You’ll say and do things that you didn’t mean—hurting the people you care about and putting those around you in danger. Does that sound fun?
Socializing while sober means that your attention is focused on the people you’re with. You can have meaningful conversations and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Addiction Excuse #3: Everybody Else Is Doing It
People with substance use disorders tend to plan their entire lives around drugs or alcohol, so it’s not surprising that you believe everyone else is engaged in similar behavior. You simply can’t see anything other than what’s in front of you.
Blacking out, getting arrested, being fired, or ending a relationship due to substance abuse is not normal. If you’re planning your life around your next fix, you’re missing out on endless opportunities for growth and personal satisfaction.
Addiction Excuse #4: I Haven’t Hit “Rock Bottom” Yet
Do you believe that the only true addict is someone who has lost their job, family, and home due to their addiction? Addiction affects people of all ages, races, genders, and socioeconomic classes. You can be a successful professional with a spouse and children at home, yet struggle to control your drug or alcohol use. These people are simply referred to as high-functioning addicts.
Waiting until you’ve hit “rock bottom” to seek treatment is a dangerous approach. What looks like the lowest possible point is different for everyone—and you may experience a fatal overdose before you decide you need help.
The safest course of action is to get treatment as soon as a problem has been identified. Addiction is a progressive illness, so getting the help you need now will make it easier to achieve a lasting recovery.
Addiction Excuse #5: It Hurts to Be Sober
For some people, addiction develops as a way to self-medicate their pain. This can be pain from a physical condition, such as pain from arthritis, neuropathy, or a pinched nerve. Or, it can be emotional pain, such as a struggle with depression or an anxiety disorder.
Chronic pain has been shown to have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life, but substance abuse isn’t the answer. Drugs and alcohol provide a temporary fix but don’t address the underlying issue. They also create new problems as the body develops a tolerance to the abused substance.
To get your pain under control, you need access to a comprehensive care plan. This might include physical therapy, massage, or non-opioid painkillers for physical pain; and biofeedback, meditation, counseling, or antidepressants to help with emotional pain that is the result of a mental health disorder.
Addiction Excuse #6: Nobody Can Help Me
Addiction is a chronic illness, which means that there is always the possibility of relapse. However, that doesn’t mean treatment won’t work. When you have access to evidence-based care that takes into account your unique needs, you can learn how to manage your substance use disorder and lead the life you truly deserve.
At Waypoint Recovery Center, we believe that there’s always hope for a better tomorrow. Our South Carolina residential drug and alcohol addiction treatment center provides a full continuum of care that includes individual, family, and group therapy, as well as continuing care and recovery management services designed to ease the transition back to independent living.
