Don’t Let these Mental Blocks Stop You Getting Help for Addiction
There are basically 2 ways you can look at trying to beat alcoholism or drug addiction. The first one is to go it alone and try to do it yourself. Or, you can try and get professional help and look into the various forms of treatment available.
I definitely don’t think you should be trying to overcome your addiction by yourself. It’s just so much harder and the cost of getting it wrong, just too high, because your life (or that of a loved one) is literally at stake.
I think there are two primary reasons though that people look at try to overcome an addiction by themselves. The first one is the shame of effectively ‘coming out’ or ‘going public.’ I think there is a stigma attached to admitting an addiction so many people try all they can to cover it up and would rather die than admit to having a problem.
Don’t buy into that! There is nothing wrong with owning up to a problem with alcohol or drugs. There are millions and millions of people out there going through the same thing. And by admitting to alcoholism or drug addiction you’ve probably taken the most important step on your journey towards recovery – ownership of what’s going on. Because without that – you’re just living in denial – and have no chance of ever getting better.
The other and 2nd major reason many addicts don’t get professional treatment is the thought that because of the costs involved – that getting treatment is simply not realistic. Yes – some forms of treatment are expensive, but you do also get many other kinds that are accessible and affordable to almost everyone.
If you had cancer, would you try and beat that by yourself? And there will be some of you, I know, who have read stories of people who have done exactly that, but why make it harder for yourself if there are people out there ready and willing to help you?
My first suggestion then would always be that you always try and get yourself into a drug or alcohol treatment center. It may involves doing some investigation and research to find one that is right for you and in close enough proximity (if you’re concerned about the costs) – but there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to make it happen. It was certainly the best thing I did in helping me sort my life out.
Getting yourself into proper treatment also allows you to meet other people going through what you are. And so you realise you’re not alone and the sense of isolation you experienced suddenly disappears. Even though treatment only represents the start of you overcoming your addictions and building a new life for yourself (and it’s important you remember that) – it does provide you with the best possible opportunity to getting your life on track and making a fresh start.
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