In 2016, over 11 million people abused prescription opioids. It’s no secret that opioid use has become an epidemic in the U.S.
However, just because it’s a common drug, this doesn’t mean it should be taken lightly. Even if you think it’s only recreational, opioids are among the most addictive substances on the planet and can quickly take over your life if left untreated.
If opioids are already a part of your life, opioid addiction treatment may be the necessary next step for you to take. Read on to learn more about what addiction is and why you should consider getting help.
Should I Go To Rehab?
Maybe you’ve asked yourself this tough question during your lowest points. The truth is, it’s difficult to admit to yourself that you need help with addiction. However, it’s a necessary step in the recovery process.
If you’re struggling with opioid addiction, it’s likely that your friends and loved ones have noticed.
You may find yourself becoming increasingly isolated as you begin to reach for the drugs more and more. Maybe they’ve even staged an intervention or personally approached you about getting help.
Even if you haven’t completely hit rock bottom yet, if you are questioning your own need for opioid addiction treatment, chances are it’s time to take the next step. It’s extremely difficult to face addiction alone, especially when it involves opioids.
What if My Friends Say I’m Fine?
If you’re considering opioid addiction treatment, it’s natural to ask your friends for a second opinion. However, if you’re asking your friends, Should I go to rehab?” and they’re reassuring you that you’re fine, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of the woods. This is especially true if they are using the same opioids that you’re using.
Even if your friends are telling you that you don’t have an addiction problem, there are a number of signs to look for that indicate otherwise. For example, are you being completely truthful with your loved ones about your opioid use? If they don’t have all the facts, it’s impossible for them to give you an informed answer.
It’s also possible that your friends are going through struggles of their own and may not be in the best frame of mind to help you. If they are people you regularly party with, then it’s likely that they’re facing similar addiction struggles, or that they simply don’t want to lose a friend to party with.
Whatever the case, the answer to whether or not you’ve developed an addiction problem strictly lies with you. It’s vital to look at yourself honestly, without any excuses, and really ask yourself if you’ve got a problem. As previously stated, if you’re asking yourself this question, you likely are in need of opioid addiction treatment.
Defining Your Addiction
Addiction affects every aspect of your life. It can damage your relationships, cause major financial troubles, and take a serious toll on your health. There is no “one-size-fits-all” addiction diagnosis either; instead, it comes in varying levels of severity.
Because addiction ranges in severity, it’s important to learn where you fall on the spectrum. This can be done by looking at the following criteria and checking off how many apply to you. The more you check off, the more severe your addiction is.
- Issues with personal relationships
- Growing tolerance to your chosen substance
- Lack of consideration for your own wellbeing
- Loss of control
- Lack of interest in normal activities
- Wanting to quit but not being able to
- Symptoms of withdrawal
- Trying harder to obtain your chosen substance
Even if just one or a few of these apply to you, it’s vital to seek opioid addiction treatment. Addiction tends to get worse if you make excuses or ignore it. It is rarely something you can face on your own.
Addiction is a Disease
It’s important to recognize that your addiction is a disease. It’s not simply a bad habit that you can overcome with time. In fact, if left untreated, addiction is a progressive disease that will only continue to get worse.
The nature of addiction as a disease is similar to other chronic conditions, such as asthma, cancer, or diabetes. Like these chronic diseases, it’s necessary to seek medical help to overcome it. Opioid addiction treatment is an important next step to take.
Don’t wait until you’re at your lowest point to get addiction help. On the other hand, even if you think you’ve reached rock bottom, it’s still possible to get the opioid addiction treatment you need.
Why People Avoid Opioid Addiction Treatment
If you’re still hesitant about getting opioid addiction treatment, this is a perfectly natural reaction.
Millions of people suffer from the disease of addiction, but many avoid getting addiction help. There are a few main reasons why this occurs.
#1 Reason: They’re in Denial
You may already be familiar with denial as the first step in a 12-step program to face addiction. Just like on a staircase, getting stuck on this step prevents you from making any progress on your recovery.
Being in denial is a dangerous loop that leads to nowhere. It’s a typical reaction by many people who have already developed the disease of addiction. Because the brain tends to justify these behaviors with other excuses, it is especially difficult to recognize and overcome.
For example, if someone is dealing with a job loss or turmoil in their personal relationships, they may turn to opioids as a means of coping with this stress. As their addiction grows worse, they may fail to recognize it as a primary contributor to these problems. Instead, they insist that they are only using these opioids to escape the stress of the situation.
Because most people feel a strong attachment to opioids as a means of escaping the turmoil of their life, this can make it incredibly difficult to admit that the opioids themselves are becoming the most major problem of all. This causes many people to remain in a state of denial rather than seeking the opioid addiction treatment they need.
#2 Reason: They Have Fear
Especially when addiction becomes severe, the thought of removing the substance of choice can be terrifying to an addict. It can leave them with racing thoughts about how they will face their problems sober, or how they will be able to cope with life without opioids.
As with any regular habits or behaviors, the sudden shock of removing opioids from your life can be a very scary thought. It may be your comfort zone, your coping mechanism, or even the biggest part of your life in some cases. It’s never easy to let go of these things and face the unknown.
Another thing that scares people who need opioid addiction treatment is the thought of rehab itself. After all, it’s a completely different environment than what an addict is used to. They go from an independent, self-destructive lifestyle pattern to a completely new place where they must face their own vices in order to be successful.
Rehab can be an intimidating thought. Some people are very afraid of taking on their personal demons and working through detoxes and therapy sessions in order to get clean. Others may be afraid of facing life after rehab.
However, there is plenty to look forward to after rehab. Even if you fear that your life is forever altered, there are ways to get your career back on track after rehab and start rebuilding.
#3 Reason: They’re Embarrassed or Ashamed
Another perfectly normal reason that people don’t seek opioid addiction treatment is that they’re ashamed that they have an addiction to begin with. People often equate addiction with a lack of self-control. Oftentimes, the image of being an addict is not an image they wish to associate themselves with.
After all, society tends to react very unfavorably to addicts. They are often believed to be liars, thieves, cheaters, and the list goes on. However, these labels come from a lack of empathy and do not define addicts that are seeking opioid addiction treatment.
Because of these negative connations, many people do not want to admit that they, too, are addicts and are in need of addiction help. They may be worried about what their friends or family might think if they go to rehab. Or they may even be afraid of relapsing and letting everyone down in the future.
Reasons to Seek Addiction Help
While there are a number of reasons and excuses to avoid seeking opioid treatment, there are many more reasons to overcome the denial, fear, and embarrassment associated with it.
Although it may not seem like it now, there’s a better outcome in your future that you haven’t discovered yet:
- Face your inner demons. Opioid addiction treatment comes with therapy to help you overcome your traumas, fears, and regrets. Once you’ve come to terms with why you may have become addicted, it becomes much easier to overcome the disease.
- Detox and become stronger. Opioid addiction treatment will support you as you detox from your addiction. You will learn how to boost your endorphins without drugs, as well as receive help and support when you need it the most.
- Regain control of your life. You are not defined by your addiction. There are plenty of ways to get your life back on track without ever turning to a substance again.
Closing Thoughts
Addiction is an incredibly difficult disease to face on your own. Even if you don’t think it’s the right choice, seeking opioid addiction treatment can enable you to overcome the disease and get your life back on track.
Contact us today to get your treatment started.
