The decision to enter treatment takes a great deal of courage and focus. The first step in treatment is detox, and detox is an incredibly hard step. Knowing that you need it often isn’t enough to help you get started unless portions of your life are falling into such a state of disrepair that you have no other option.
Often, one of the triggers to push folks into treatment is when they start dealing with legal trouble. If you have been arrested for possession, DUI or are facing the end of a relationship in the court system due to conflict tied to addictive behaviors, the decision to seek treatment may seem more possible.
When Your Life Is In Spiral
Before your life begins to spiral out of control, you will likely have been in sneak mode for quite a while. You may be using and trying to hide the effects. You may be drinking on the sly, carrying alcohol in your car, or stashing product in your purse, backpack or vehicle. You don’t have to hit “rock bottom” to make an effective choice to enter rehab. You do need to realize that people you rely on, respect and treasure no longer want to be in your company because you can’t be relied on. You may notice that getting together with friends for a drink just isn’t enjoyable anymore. You may notice that you’re spending a lot on liquor, or that your bottle content is dropping faster than that of a “normal” drinker.
You may also realize that you dread the part of the day that you are not using or drinking. Mornings may be especially tough. You may not have patience with your partners, your children or your co-workers until you sneak out and grab a drink or use over your lunch break. It’s also a good idea to look at the habits that you pair with using or drinking. For example, if you only smoke when you drink but suddenly really need a glass of wine at 9 a.m., you may be ready to take control of this behavior and ready for the rigors of treatment.
Despair can play a big part in the avoidance of treatment. If things in your life have fallen apart to the point that relationships such as marriages and domestic partnerships are no longer in place, the idea of going into treatment and coming back to a life of isolation can make the idea of treatment can be an additional layer of hopelessness. However, detox and treatment are often the only investment you can make in yourself that can help you build a better future. Those relationships may be salvageable. Even if they’re not, finding a healthy relationship in the future will not be possible while you are still using.
It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on long-term physical damage caused by addictive behaviors. From your brain to your teeth to your circulation, your body and mind will suffer tremendously from addiction. Addiction is a disease that will eat your life. The physical destruction of addiction will be waiting for you after treatment, including
- tooth loss and gum disease
- liver damage
- diabetes
- heart disease
Getting through detox is a tough first step. One of the big challenges you will face at this time that may be especially challenging is that you will require medical monitoring. For those who have been using in secret for a long time, the idea of someone checking your water intake, your temperature and your food intake repeatedly throughout the day will feel very intrusive.
Moving from detox into treatment will allow you to move from being someone who is observed to being someone who is participating in their own healing. Detox is about supporting your body as you shed the drugs, toxins and withdrawal symptoms. Treatment is about building a platform that will allow you to find and use support structures to help you build a life in which you can can thrive without using. If the secrecy, isolation and limited joy going on in your life right now has you focused on staving off withdrawal pangs instead of making joyful connection with those around you, you’re ready to seek treatment.
When you’re ready, we’re here to help. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day. Call 833-846-5669.