When people believe addiction is solely a choice, they believe their inability to quit is a sign of weakness. People who struggle with substance abuse are often called lazy, selfish and unwilling to change. They may try to tell others this isn’t the case, but it is hard to describe why giving up an addiction is about so much more than wanting to do so.
There are many arguments about whether addiction is a disease or a choice. The answer is a combination of both. While substance abuse does ultimately impact the body on a chemical level, it is not entirely out of someone’s control. In other words, no one develops an addiction as a disease the same way they do cancer. Many factors, including genetics, environment and mental health, influence a person’s behavior. Sometimes, that behavior is the choice to use drugs and alcohol. Willpower is often thought of as someone’s ability to change their life. It is a mysterious force that some people naturally have a lot of. People with an addiction likely have much less because, despite their willingness and desire to stop using substances, can’t seem to stick to it.
Using Willpower to Beat Addiction
Addiction naturally wears down a person’s ability to resist temptation, and those urges are barriers to self-control. When you feel like you have no choice but to give in, your willpower disappears. But if you have the courage to find help and get to rehab, you already have exerted a tremendous amount of willpower. You may have read or heard stories about people who quit drugs “cold turkey.” They simply decided they weren’t going to use them anymore and never looked back.
While that may happen in extremely rare cases, it is not the reality for 99 percent of users. In addition to ignoring the physical effects of addiction, this mindset also prevents you from getting the type of therapy and skills you need to make better choices in the future. Willpower is necessary to successfully overcome any challenge in life, but it is not the most important part of recovery. Real recovery is rooted in humility, admitting that you don’t have the strength to stop drugs on your own and need help. Therapy, in addition to support groups and other resources, help you build strength and confidence in yourself.
Why Rehab Matters
When you check into rehab in Florida, you’ll likely bring several things with you:
- Anxiety about your ability to get better.
- Fear rehab won’t work.
- Enough willpower to make it through the next day.
Some people enter treatment with total commitment; they’ve planned months ahead and know exactly what direction they want to take their lives after rehab. Others are much more skeptical; more than anything, they’re scared that they’re too far gone to get help. No matter how much they want to get better or how hard they’ve tried, they lack what it takes to stay sober. One thing many are surprised to learn in rehab is that they need to surrender more than fight. Being open to change is far more helpful than persistently trying to fight off addiction. You must be willing to first accept that you don’t have all the answers. You need help identifying why you keep using, how addiction impacts your life and how to change your thoughts and behaviors. This only comes through a willingness to stop resisting and embrace change.
How Rehab Can Help
When you enter a treatment program, you’ll begin to learn not only about your substance abuse but also your mental health. Millions of people are first diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and many other conditions in rehab. You might also have trauma, insecurity or self-destructive patterns that ultimately lead you down the same path no matter how many times you tell yourself you’re going to take a different one.
Rehab uses a variety of therapies to help people overcome their biggest fears and struggles. One of the most common forms of treatment you’ll likely encounter is called cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). This form of therapy helps people recognize faulty thinking patterns and their influence on their actions. Many bad decisions are the result of a distorted, negative perspective. CBT helps people reshape their thoughts through action, which creates a feedback loop of positive change.
Learn More About Rehab
If you are willing to change, we can help you find the rehab you need to get better. Contact us at 833-846-5669 to learn more about substance abuse treatments near you. From detox centers to residential rehabs, our representatives are ready to answer your questions and match you with the best program for you.